Freightliner to shift position after sale
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• The new owners of Freightliner will be announced shortly in a move that will see the container carrier trying to swap its ex-British Rail image for one of a modern logistics provider.
Freightliner's directors have been in discussion since October with around 15 organi
sations—North American, Continental and British train companies, as well as other transport companies and venture capitalists—over a complete or part sale of the road and rail operator. The aim Is to announce the sale in a month's time to a rail or road operator, which will develop the newly
profitable, 1'106m-turnover company into a logistics solu tions provider from its shunting yard roots.
Customers are hoping for a seven-days-a-week operation from the new owners and more flexibility towards clients.
Developments at Freightliner come as the hard-pressed container sector gets even tougher. Deep-sea line Hapag Lloyd says it wants to cut its transport rates by up to a third—to 53p a mile.
Three years ago Freightliner's management bought the company from BR and since then has increased its traffic to 2,500 container movements a day between 19 rail terminals. It is currently ordering 40 Volvo units to upgrade its large road fleet.