UK threesome 'marry' for TFE
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• TFE, France's biggest temperature-control transport company, has brought together three British independents to offer a UK distribution operation.
In return the British companies — Warrens Warehousing in London, MAP Refrigerated Distribution in Manchester and Shepton Mallet-based Peter Green Haulage, can offer their customers TFE's extensive European distribution service.
TFE is understood to have considered working with the industry's majors, such as Wincanton and NFC. There is no conflict of interest on a European scale: TFE trunks to its UK partners who make final deliveries to retailers. Ireland is covered, through MAP, by Robinson of Portadown.
The move is likely to be an important step forward for the UK companies. Not only will they work with TFE, but they will increase the amount of traffic they exchange with each other. The three independents have successfully resisted competition from the UK majors, but see advantages in closer co-operation for national distribution. However, some practical obstacles in terms of transit temperatures may slow progress.
Peter Hey, one of three directors at 10-year old MAP, says that TFE acted as a "marriage broker", although he already knew of Warrens. He believes that independents working together can take work from the major fleets, as well as holding on to their own. "The big companies haven't got the personal touch," he says.
Peter Green, a 20-truck haulier who set up the business in 1959, when he was 19, says he expects that in future there will be a greater emphasis on rigids, intensively worked but staying closer to their depots. At present his trucks go all round the country.