times in 1991
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said they would be acquiring new vehicles during 1991, many said they would be buying secondhand. Most were very cautious, saying that they would only replace vehicles when they had signed new contracts.
The contract hire packages promoted by several manufacturers in 1990 have not appealed to many operators. Only 20% said these would be more attractive to them in 1991.
On the environmental front, 29% said the recession had put back investment on environmental improvements. But going Green was a key issue with many operators. A London haulier said "anything that can be done on the environmental front, we are doing", and a northern operator added that his company was set to "follow the Green road".
Hauling to Europe came very low in business priorities. Only 11% said that they already worked on the Continent, with 13% planning to start tapping the European market this year. "If our Government does not seriously reduce the amount of bureaucracy, we will have no chance of competing in Europe on level terms," said one South Yorkshire haulier, whose application for an international licence took two years to come through. He was beaten to a contract in Europe by a French company which obtained its licence in just four weeks.
The industry will only see a net 5% increase in training during 1991, the survey revealed.
Transport trade associations can take comfort, though, as 92% of the hauliers said they would renew their subscriptions even if times were hard. However, more than 30% were not members of the FTA or the RHA.
Both associations were commended by hauliers for their legal advice services.