Personally I think not 
, mainly because some of the quotes an ex gaffer recieves for loads on a daily basis are laughable. They won’t even cover his diesel. According to him, their’s too many UK companies with lots of vehicles out their willing to undercut each other to get a backload and that’s driving/driven down prices, amongst other things. With spiraling running costs, not to mention the European competition and exceedingly unlevel playing field, these are all working against the general haulage sector to provide some very unvavourable rates. This meant that his motors wern’t making any money.
When I left just under a year ago, he had cut down from 5 to 3 vehicles on General Haulage. He now has none. Does purley pallet delivery for a major pallet network. Apparently far more profitable for him and who needs megaspaced Mercs to run round town in?
I can see what he’s saying.
And how long will it be before the Supermarkets start double-shifting their Home Delivery vans and back-hauling from local suppliers? I can think of quite a few situations where it could work in practical terms.
At least the produce would be fresher for not having been ‘trunked’ around the Country for two days.
Liberace:
I can see what he’s saying.
the small operator in general haulage has generally had a hard time and I can’t see it getting any better!! How can small forms compete with companies the size of Stobart, Wincanton, Exel, Betz etc ■■?
the only way is to specialise, but to be honest I’m not even sure that will work - certainly this next 12 months will be a test for anyone working around agriculture !!!
When i was at a builder merchant i needed 2 packs of bricks bringing from Derby to Newark so i phoned a local haulier who quote £40 i then phoned his competitor who undercut him by a tenner!!!.
It amazed me how they could do it so cheap.