Most transport operators are worried about cash flow, but, crucially, have a good relationship with their bank/lender, according to the results of the latest Trucking Britain Out Of Recession survey.
Asked if they are worried about their business's cash flow, 65% said they were either very or fairly concerned. However, 68% of the survey respondents described their relationship with their bank/lender as excellent or good; 18% said fair, while just 5% said poor.
Nearly two-thirds said some or lots of their clients are extending payment terms, further heightening cash flow concerns.
The Christmas volumes forecast, however, is a little worrying: 11% expect volumes to increase by up to 5% over last year, while another 13% expect volumes will jump 10% or more; 36% expect volumes to be static; and 19% expect volumes to fall by as much as 5%, while 18% anticipate a drop of 10% 
or more.
Some haulage staff will feel the brunt of this forecast: 15% of respondents said the Christmas party will be a lower scale event than in previous years, while 27% have cancelled the party entirely.
Nevertheless, optimism remains high: 69% are either fairly or very optimistic about the next three months, while 78% are either fairly or very optimistic about the next 12 months; and 89% are confident their business will survive the recession.
Trucking Britain Out Of Recession is supported by Motor Transport, Truck & Driver, TruckNetUK and Roadtransport.com.
It is also backed by the Road Haulage Association, DAF, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Michelin, Renault Trucks, Scania and Volvo.
Further analysis of the November survey will appear in the next issue.
The next survey will be ready for operators to answer at the beginning of December. To take part, log on to
www.roadtransport.com/britain 