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'Most of the major players in Europe were there but where were the British?'

28th April 1994, Page 65
28th April 1994
Page 65
Page 65, 28th April 1994 — 'Most of the major players in Europe were there but where were the British?'
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ast month I visited the three-day logistics show, Semaine Internationale du Transport et de la Logistique held in Paris. Most of the major players in the European transport world were represented but where were the British?

The catalogue listed more than 70 companies from the UK as being present but most of these proved to be European companies with bases established in the UK. TNT was there as was United Transport but other UK operators were difficult to find. The Port of Dover and the Port of Liverpool were there—the people manning the Liverpool stand demonstrating the enthusiasm of missionaries for the services their company could provide. Great interest was generated by the presence of Lanarkshire Development Corporation, there to promote the new freight village at Mossland. However, the absence of UK companies overall was depressing. Considerable comment was made about the absence of any British Rail presence, that omission being underlined by the stand of the Rail Users Group. The National Association of Warehouse Keepers were there in their new European role as part of CEEL, the association formed jointly between the French, Italian and UK warehouse operators. Neither the Road Haulage Association nor the Freight Transport Association was present and those UK companies who were there felt that, even if jointly, there should have been a presence from the two trade associations.

This was not an occasion for rows of shining vehicles and trailers but rather one for meetings and discussions between transporters, storers and software houses about a Europe which is going to be substantially altered by the arrival of The Tunnel. Company after company projected plans to effect rapid and certain distribution all of which referred to the effect of the Chunnel.

The Tunnel stand was central and impressive even if those who bravely dealt with questions were somewhat beleaguered. The crossing time, motorway to motorway, was given as 80 minutes causing one enquirer to observe: "Ah, the truth at last." No one on the stand knew anything about the alleged missing windscreens. No one was prepared to give firm freight prices. Nonetheless, at this exhibition the Tunnel was ever present. This was an excellent show which attracted large crowds throughout the whole period. It was not just the interest of visitors that created the buzz, but rather the willingness of the exhibitors to talk to each other. It was interest about ways in which the UK and Irish markets were to be serviced and interest in the dramatic expansion in support services, whether from software house or elsewhere, that added the extra dimension.

It is clear that the cost of exhibiting was high, although all those who were there appeared to feel that the cost was justified by the result. The lack of UK support stood out like a sore thumb. It was seen, yet again, as a refusal to accept that, even if the Single Market has arrived, there is any real need to play the game.

• If you want to sound off about a road transport issue write to features editor Patric Cunnane.


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