In these uncertain times one of the industries that is keeping the UK moving is logistics. Only a few months ago the focus for our industry was whether we could cope with the demands of Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas. Now, we are facing a global crisis and our people are playing a key role to ensure uninterrupted supply of vital goods.
Recent years have brought a number of challenges to the logistics industry as digitisation and ever-increasing customer demands have put strain on the supply chain. Manufacturing industries are facing far greater expectations around efficiency and performance and their customers expect faster turnaround times. Retailers find themselves having to offer next day and same day deliveries for online orders. This is all against a backdrop of environmental concerns around over-packaging, damages and waste. One size no longer fits all.
Our industry has proved itself flexible in light of the changing environment. It is this agility that has ensured goods continue to be delivered throughout the UK despite the exceptional replenishment requirements. Hospitals and pharmacies are reliant on the uninterrupted supply of medical supplies and retailers are facing unprecedented demands for basic items such as soap, toilet roll, canned goods and fresh foods.
James Clark, Secretary-General of the British Industrial Truck Association states “In these challenging times, we are pleased that the Government has recognised that everyone working to keep essential supply chains open is a critical key worker. Workers across the whole logistics industry, including those that maintain the safe operation of forklift trucks, are an essential part of our country’s efforts to keep people fed and combat this deadly virus.”
Tim Waples, Chief Executive of the UKMHA, “The UKMHA is committed to supporting its members in keeping continuous, uninterrupted supply of goods and services during this time. They are operating as normal ensuring all its members have access to the the latest information and advice in line with daily government updates.”
Everyone who works in logistics should be proud of the part they play throughout all the peak periods, and particularly during this crisis. From pickers, packers and forklift drivers to the maintenance engineers, transport planners and delivery drivers, their
importance is often overlooked. It is worth celebrating the great job they do in keeping this country running no matter what unforeseen events occur.
