AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Hackling considers major policy overhaul

16th August 2012
Page 5
Page 5, 16th August 2012 — Hackling considers major policy overhaul
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

BOURTON-ON-THE-Water’s John Hackling (Transport) says it is considering whether its policy of outright vehicle ownership, which has been a cornerstone of its operation since the mid-1960s, needs to change with the advent of Euro-6.

The Gloucestershire-based firm, which runs a 65-strong fleet made up of predominantly Volvo rigids and tractors, says the looming 31 December 2013 Euro-6 emissions deadline for new trucks, and the rising cost of fuel, could force a cultural shift at the business.

“Everybody is nervous about that [Euro-6],” says MD Ken Hackling (pictured above).

Currently new rigids are run for five years in the haulier’s cream and green colours before they are refreshed to undertake another five years’ work in Palletline’s livery on shorter distribution runs.

Hackling says reliability is not an issue as it looks after its fleet well. But with newer equipment, he says: “If you are saving a mile a gallon, it’s pretty much putting £10,000 on the bottom line.” This could mean leasing starts to make sense.

He adds: “There’s almost two types of haulier out there at the moment. One is passionate about what they run and how they run it, and the other side is the industry newcomers who don’t own much, lease everything and wouldn’t know one end of a lorry from another.

“Arguably, do you need to know every detail about a truck to run a transport business? If you look at the firms that are being successful today, they are more the type focused on the customer side of things and the business, rather than what truck they are running.” ● For more on vehicle finance, go to commercialmotor.com/ buyers-guides/truck-finance


comments powered by Disqus