HAULAGE business, which in general coped well during the three
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day week, seems to have tailed-off since that period according to the latest Road Rates report compiled and published by Freight Information Services.
The report, which covers the period from January to June, states that carryings held-up extremely well during the three week period. An indication of the lower level of business activity however is that during 1973 FIS reported on the difficulties haulage contractors were experiencing in finding sub-contractors for their overflow traffic, whereas now there is an increasing number of subcontractors once more looking for traffic.
It is significant, FIS considers, that two companies, taking part in the survey, which have continued to trade well are heavily involved in warehousing as well as haulage.
FIS finds it surprising in the present circumstances of cost inflation that freight rates have remained fairly stable this year, and many have not yet been increased. Although some hauliers have sought to recover increases in costs by increasing rates this year by between seven and 10 per cent there has been no universal rush to do so. Perhaps, says the report, this is because of the excess capacity within the industry at the moment. The report contains several tables of rates data showing such items as cost increases incurred since July 1, 1973, by a tanker operator and typical rates currently in use.
The table of increases since July 1 last year incurred by a tanker operator shows, for example, that tyres have increased by no less than 22.5 per cent, while National Insurance group pension and training board levy for all staff increased by some 18 per cent.
The report, Road Rates No 8, is available from Freight Information Services, Formby, Liverpool, L37 2JY, price £3.