Transfrigoroute tackles supermarket problems by Sally Nash • Hauliers have
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reacted with scepticism to Transfrigoroute UK's pledge to tackle supermarkets on a long list of grievances, including the thorny problem of delays at regional distribution centres. TUK is poised to lobby the supermarket centres once it has carried out a survey on members' concerns. These are likely to include: • unloading delays; • non-return of pallets; • lack of driver inspection freedom; • disputes over damage/shortages/over-ordering.
But transport firms working for the supermarkets have little faith that TUK intervention will improve an age-old problem.
"This is just crying in the wind," says one haulier who works for Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Safeway, but does not wish to be named.
Another says: "I doubt this will do any good—the supermarkets just do what they want to. It's definitely a case of 'I am the boss and everybody else had better toe the line'."
Chris London Transport in Kent says "there has been an improvement" in the time taken to deliver fresh fruit to regional centres recently, but problems still occur at peak periods such as Christmas and Easter.
"Anything that can be done to speed up the job will be a help," says the company.
TUK secretary Liam 011iff stresses that the association does not want to "name and shame" the worst offenders but simply to identify persistent problems and initiate a discussion with the supermarkets.
TUK has sent out questionnaires to its members and would welcome input from others. Anyone wishing to add to the debate should contact TUK on 01572 722489.