Dutch haulier sets up in Scotland
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• One of Europe's largest logistics firms has set up its first UK office after beating a British haulier to a contract, but denies it will be homing in on other UK work.
Vos Logistics, a Dutch operator with 4,000 trucks, beat Bristol-based Lane Group for the work with plastic pipe manufacturer Emtelle from its factory in Jedburgh in the Scottish borders.
A spokeswoman for Lane Group confirmed they were beaten on price when the contract came up for re-tender
ing. Vos already works for Emtelle's parent company Mainetti Plastics from its factory in Holland.
However, local hauliers fear this spells the start of a foreign invasion. One comments: "Vas may only have a toe-hold in Scotland now, but if it becomes well established there will be serious implications for the industry" Although Vos had taken on a small amount of work for a local sawmill, Mike Riddell, logistics manager at Jedburgh, says this has now stopped. He adds: "Rumours we are touting for business are total and utter scaremongery—this operation is as big as it gets.
"This shows the way the British government has allowed the haulage industry to go to rot and let foreign haulers come in with lower rates." The RHA's Scottish region confirmed that several members had voiced concerns over Vos' presence, and raised questions over the interpretation of cabotage law. A spokeswoman for the Vehicle Inspectorate says they will look into the issue.