More moving and shaking in the industry today – French national rail operator SNCF launches a £366m cash bid for Geodis, and MRS Distribution acquires fellow Scottish company Jim Brackenridge Transport. Also north of the border, there is an MBO at Aberdeen-based ARR Craib Transport as its founder and chairman decides to retire.

Both Palletways (UK) and Massey Wilcox Transport report strong profits, despite the latter becoming the latest operator to speak out against the “relentlessly spiralling” cost of fuel. Another major problem for the industry are Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), and hauliers now have a weapon to fight them with – protocols for observation periods and loading and unloading which parking attendants should follow. A third issue is a lack of truckstops, something the FTA has been warning the government about.

This year’s CV Show is now almost upon us, and Vauxhall is to use the show to launch a Luton version of its Movano van, as well as exhibit three striking new concept vans. For more show news as it unfolds, see RT.com’s special CV Show page.