Blue Circle warns of further freeze
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Operators working for Blue Circle Cement were warned last week that the continuing recession means there is no hope of improved rates.
Blue Circle announced an £8.1m fall in operating profit to £12.3m for the six months to 30 June from the same period last year. A spokesman said: "We've not increased our rates for the past three years and I don't think we anticipate any increase."
The company has trimmed its own fleet in the last year by 37%, down to around 200 vehicles. Driver numbers have been cut by just under 30% and double-shifting reduced.
There are no plans to reduce the fleet further but "the position is constantly under review in respect of the continuing recession in the construction industry," the spokesman says.
Just less than half of the company's transport is carried out by its own fleet while hauliers carry 23% of its product. About 30% of goods are collected by its customers. For the first six months of the year Blue Circle Cement sold 3.1 million tonnes — down 10% on the same period last year. Track 29 Ltd • Agents of British Rail pallet carrier Track 29 are electing a board of directors following British Rail's decision to pull out of the work at the end of June. A new limited company starts operating at the end of this month, and BR says that most of the 37 agents will be involved although "one or two are wavering".
P&O traffic • Freight traffic on P&O's European ferries increased "by a few units" compared with last year, despite a flat market. Hauliers saw ferry rates rise, contributing to the group's interim results. The company made an operating profit of £154.9m on a turnover of £2,462.6m.