UK hauliers have battled through the incredibly difficult driving conditions caused by the current cold snap, shouldering additional costs.
Southampton-based Meachers Global Logistics and Bradford-based Expect Distribution have both told CM the impact of delayed journeys caused by the snow has cost their firms "thousands".
"We experienced days where the container terminal at DP World Southampton was closed, meaning we could not access containers on a regular basis, but we still had to pay for drivers out on the road waiting for deliveries. With January traditionally being the quietest period, this is really not what you want to deal with, but we threw ourselves into trying to run business as normal," says Meachers commercial director Gary Whittle.
Neil Rushworth, operations director at Expect, concurs: "Our drivers have been fantastic, sometimes driving three hours to get to work. However, some of the businesses we have collected from have not been as helpful; not having enough staff at depots, not clearing snow away. This has cost us time, money and effort."
Expect says it invested in a £1,500 quad salt spreader in December 2009 to ensure it could operate in its own yard and therefore managed to get the majority of its fleet out.
Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire-based S&J European Haulage says it has managed to keep its 35 trucks on the road, but transport manager Mark Turner adds: "There has been a cost and delay; we estimate we're getting one day's less work from each lorry each week."
ABE (Ledbury) in Herefordshire adds that it was infuriated by several customers turning away its drivers because they hadn't cleared their delivery areas. "It's a complete waste of our time," says managing director Andy Boyle.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) praised the industry for being "innovative and good at coping with adversity".
Eamonn Brennan, of the FTA's members' advice centre, adds: "We have seen some of our members incorporate a range of solutions, such as re-routing or re-scheduling deliveries and collections, using agency drivers and double-manning vehicles.
"Hopefully with the end of the freeze in sight, now is the time to begin planning and preparing a strategy to clear backlogs."