1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136 
Small just won't do
Page 3
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Those of you who have been around for a while might see the creation of Harlequin Logistics as a case of 'been there, done that, got the t-shirt'. Its creator Paul Smith founded Jigsaw Solutions in 2002, and the idea of the consortium has been around for some time, albeit in different guises Ling Alliance and PartnerLink spring immediately to mind so you could be forgiven for rolling your eyes this time.
CMwould argue, however, that the logic behind this attempt is a little bit different than nine years ago: the market has changed. The major 3PLs rule the roost among the very largest UK transport contracts, leaving regional family hauliers who buy and run trucks nothing more than glorified subcontractors unless they run niche fleets like tankers or car transporters.
What entices CM to the launch of Harlequin a business that hasn't even signed its first contract is the promise to revive the fortunes of the regional family haulier.
Pause to think how many hundreds of hauliers have seen their revenues remain static (or fall) during the recession; seen their costs rise because of high fuel prices and been unable to plough investment into the business to expand their fleet.
No one has the cash, nor inclination, for widespread mergers [other than Stobart) to offer to customers the capacities and scale a 3PL can promise. Consortiums are the way to go. Paul Smith finds himself not just launching a new business but, inadvertently, resurrecting the good name of regional family hauliers in the UK. CM wishes him all the best. Christopher Walton
Commercial Motor the official UK journal of the International Truck of the Year and International Van of the Year Awards