Tag Archive for: logistics

International Women’s Day with The Barnes Group

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As part of our nod to International Women’s Day, we’ve taken the opportunity to talk to our very own Karen Cusick about her role at The Barnes Group, her career journey and her advice to other women considering joining the sector.

  • What is your job title at The Barnes Group and where are you based?

I’m an HR Manager at The Barnes Group and I’m based in Rochdale. 

  • How did you come to work in the logistics industry?

Purely by chance – the company was located near to my home.

  • How has your background helped influence your career at The Barnes Group?

My previous role was managerial. When I joined the company there were no female employees. My influence on the company definitely opened opportunities for more female employee roles.

  • What would you advise to other women who might be looking to venture into the world of logistics?

Go for it, it’s not a man’s world! 

  • What woman inspires you the most?

No one specifically but women who have the ability to run a household, look after children and also work full time are certainly inspiring. 

  • What have you learned on your career journey?

To keep fighting for what you believe in.

Women are already in the world of logistics; they just need to stand up a little taller!

Here’s to Karen and the role she plays here at The Barnes Group – if you’re interested in a career at The Barnes Group, click here.

 

Behind Barnes: A Day In The Life Of An HR/Administrator Assistant

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For our latest ‘Behind Barnes’ blog, we caught up with HR/Administrator Assistant, Laura Tomlinson.  We asked her about her career journey, what her role entails at The Barnes Group and the advice she has for other people looking to work in HR.

What does your role at The Barnes Group entail?

I work alongside Karen the HR Manager for Barnes Group. I assist her and others in the office to ensure the working day runs a little more smoother for everyone. I ensure all checks are up to date on each driver, that we have all the required documents that we need for ourselves and our supplies. One of the checks is to ensure all licences are in date and audit checks have been completed, alongside our health declarations.

Can you tell us about your career journey, how did you get your job at The Barnes Group?

I was at my previous job for 2 years, which was a personal injury firm. Where I built myself up to senior admin assistant, I was in charge alongside the manager of the whole admin team and general running of the office – based in Manchester city centre.

I applied for the job at Barnes due to my extensive office experience and dealing with difficult and different scenarios every day.  The HR side of the role was the part that appealed to me the most, the growth aspect and the possibilities the company could provide for me. Also finding a company that has ambition to reach each goal they set, to be bigger and better each year!

What does a typical day (or week!) look like for you?

On a typical day, I am handling a number of tasks to ensure the company runs smoothly for the following day:

  1. Each day I upload Optac downloads, this being what the drivers use to download their card to prove they have completed work
  2. Populate Fri, Sat, Sun and enter hours for wages for each region
  3. Opening letters and handing out to the relevant people
  4. Creating and sending POs
  5. Check wage reports
  6. HR Electronic and manual filing
  7. Unit checks
  8. Check DBS report for out of date certificates

What would you recommend to others looking to join the industry?

I would recommend others who are looking in to going into a HR industry to go for it, if you have experience even just in admin!  I was quite lucky and fell into this career path but I enjoy my work. The HR industry is fast paced, challenging and good problem solving skills are crucial.

I love the opportunity to make people’s working lives better, even in a small way.  The variety of work that comes into the department each day. We work with everything from recruitment, benefits, pay administration and workforce development. It keep you on your toes and mind challenged.

Five Things To Love About Working In Logistics

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With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we’re talking about something that we truly love – logistics! An opportunistic and exciting employment path, here we’ll discuss five things there is to love about this industry and why logistics is a great career.

Working In Logistics – What’s Not To Love?

We may be a little biased, but we think there are plenty of reasons to love working in logistics. In spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’ve cherry-picked five reasons below…

  1. You’ll Get To Visit New Places

HGV drivers travel around 18.7 billion kilometres every single year to ensure the safe transit of goods. Whilst that’s an impressive fact alone, it’s also worth thinking about where in the country those miles are spent. Being a logistics driver may well mean you’ll get to travel up and down the UK, giving you the chance to explore new places and see sights you may not see with any other job. Of those 18.7 billion kilometres, how many could you travel each year in your career in logistics?

  1. There’s Plenty Of Room For Progression

You can start your career in logistics as an HGV driver, but why stop there? The industry offers a wealth of opportunities for career progression, and roles include both on-the-road and in-office positions. The doors that logistics opens for you is just one of the many things we love about this sector.

  1. You’ll Be Met With Flexibility And Responsibility

No two days are the same in logistics. What’s more, given the nature of your job – you’ll have a lot of responsibility and flexibility. From being able to craft your own driving playlists when on the road, to being in charge of the safe passing of thousands of goods each year, if we had to pick just two words to describe what we love about working in logistics it would be the flexibility and the trust.

  1. You’ll Always Need Logistics

Though the industry is adapting and changing – from Brexit to Clean Air Zones – one thing never changes, and that is that you’ll always need logistics. Though robotics and AI is slowly starting to creep into other industries, we know that you’ll always need a reliable driver behind the wheel to get products from A to B. As such, logistics offers a safe and stable career for many years to come.

  1. You’ll Get To Meet Lots Of People

Lots of work is being done to combat the skills gap in logistics, which in turn means the industry is currently being populated with plenty of fresh talent. This is something we really love about working in logistics… The thought that there’s employees of all different ages, and of all different backgrounds. You can meet people you wouldn’t normally, all the while doing a job together that you all really enjoy. What could be better than that?

Is Logistics A Good Career?

Based on the above, and a whole host of other reasons, we (of course) would say absolutely yes. Working in the transport industry opens doors for your career progression, as well as giving you flexibility and responsibility in your job. What’s not to love about that?

Let us know what you love about working in logistics on Twitter.

Behind Barnes: A Day In The Life Of A Transport Planner

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We recently caught up with our very own Ben Alker, Transport Planner here at The Barnes Group to find out about his career journey and what a typical day looks like for a Transport Planner like Ben.

  1. What does your role as a Transport Planner entail?

I deal with the day to day operational running of the drivers and I plan each individual drivers’ day, including the organisation of what sites they are going to and where they are delivering. I monitor the drivers once they are on the road and advise customers if drivers are going to run into any delays.  Adhering to driving rules and regulations is something I have to carefully monitor every day to make sure drivers and vehicles are sent on the road legally.

  1. Can you tell us about your career journey, how did you get your job at The Barnes Group?

I have 2 years previous experience working in the transport/haulage industry, working for Eddie Stobart. I enjoy the transport industry as I find it challenging and no two days are the same. I wanted to progress in the transport industry and build on the knowledge I already previously obtained.

  1. What does a typical day (or week!) look like for you?

A typical day for me would be to complete a plan for the following day. This would mean I have to make sure all our load requirements are confirmed and on the system. This is then followed by allocating a suitable driver and unit. Dependant on the day this can be a challenge and we may have to call in additional support from agency drivers in the local area.  After we plan for the following day, we monitor the current drivers that are on the road, constantly feeding back any problems we foresee to customers and drivers.

  1. What would you recommend to others looking to join the industry?

I would recommend for people to go for it, if they are looking to get into the transport industry.  I was quite lucky and fell into this career path, but I enjoy my work. This industry is fast-paced, challenging and good problem-solving skills are always crucial.

 

To find out more information on working life at The Barnes group, click here.

What Can You Expect From Working In Logistics?

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Have you ever considered a career in logistics? It’s no big secret that the logistics sector has a skills gap, largely a generational one. Research from Unite shows that just 1% of HGV drivers in the UK are aged under 25. Not only this, but there’s a proven gender disparity in the logistics industry too. Just 2% of the global logistics industry is female, indicating that a clear gap is present. However, working in logistics has a whole host of benefits.

 

So why is there such a recruitment shortage in an industry that’s so accommodating and rewarding? Perhaps the polarity in employees is merely down to a lack of education. Which is why, in this blog post, we’re exploring what it’s like to work in logistics. We’ll traverse the sector and explain why this is a great career option for all ages and genders.

 

One of the first things you can expect from working in logistics is a career that’s indisputably rewarding. It’s a simple fact of the matter that without logistics, everyday life would look entirely different. As a HGV driver, you’re responsible for the safe passage of countless goods that are used for a variety of purposes. From gifts to groceries, every time you turn on your engine, you’ll be transporting a load that’ll be important to a great deal of people. To put the importance of logistics into perspective, it was recently found that over 130 billion cards and parcels are delivered around Christmas time. Imagine all the unhappy faces if logistics didn’t ensure the safe passage of these items.

 

Furthermore, you can expect employment where you are not disregarded due to your level of education. A great deal of logistics-sector employers will take on people with very little experience, those with a relevant and specialised degree, as well as those with decades worth of experience under their belt. Unlike most industries, you don’t need a very specific education and career path to be rewarded with a great role in the logistics industry. So if you’re wondering how to start a career in logistics, you can feel safe in the comfort that it is possible without taking the higher education path, which isn’t for everybody.

 

You can also expect to work in a job where no two jobs are the same. Boredom isn’t a word you’ll find in most logistics employees’ vocabularies, as working in this sector is exciting and unpredictable. No matter what department you opt to work in, there’s every chance that with a career in logistics, you’ll get to explore parts of the UK – and even Europe – that you’ve never seen before. You’ll be interacting with different people, and having new experiences almost every day – so if you’re an amicable person who loves to be on the ball, then this is definitely a profession for you.

 

There’s a plethora of things you can expect from working in logistics, but one we thought was really worth mentioning is that you can certainly expect to make some great friendships. From HGV Drivers, to Warehouse Operatives, when you work for a great logistics company, your colleagues will become your family. A perfect career choice for any gender and any age group, working in logistics is versatile enough to cater to everybody.

 

Is logistics a good career? For reasons above, we’d say irrefutably yes. To work in an environment that values your wellbeing, is rewarding, and is accommodating and flexible, sounds like the ideal situation for most. As an HGV driver, you’ll have a lot of responsibility and your work might be challenging sometimes, but the benefits far outweigh this and make logistics a wholly attractive career choice.

 

Would you consider a career in logistics and help to close the skills gap? Let us know on Twitter.

Barnes Logistics on 2020: The Year Ahead

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Here we are again, 2019 is drawing to a close and it feels like just yesterday when we wrote our blog last year, preparing for what 2019 had in store.  This past year has seen a great deal of back and forth on multiple variations of Brexit deals.

 

Before 2018 came to a close, we said our final Brexit prediction is that of uncertainty and although there is still a need for clarity in some cases, we now have a deadline on 31st January.  Businesses are now less in the dark over whether Brexit is going ahead or not and can begin preparations throughout next year. But what will this mean for logistics?

 

Although 2020 will be a year of waiting for trade deals and agreements between the UK and Europe, it would be beneficial to think about the future of businesses   It’s safe to say that we’re in a better position now, with the new Brexit deadline approaching on 31st January of next year, to be prepared. Investing in surplus stock and storing the excess in safe and secure warehousing is important during the time of uncertainty.

 

Though the value of the pound recently surged, there is every chance it could dip again around the 31st January, purely down to the element of the unknown. This has every potential to affect businesses for a short period of time.

 

But the real challenge that 2020 has in store is the watching and waiting while trade deals are agreed. If all goes well with the withdrawal deal that Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts forward, the UK will then undergo almost a year’s worth of trade negotiations with the EU – lasting until December 2020. Whilst waiting for deals to be agreed, some may feel uneasy about the precariousness of the situation and thus this might affect how they operate day to day. Once negotiations end, though, it is likely that businesses will settle once more, and that 2021 will be much more stable for those in the logistics sector and beyond as both the EU and Britain are aiming for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

 

2020 is likely to continue to undergo the same pressures as its predecessor years: the skills shortage. Logistics famously has an ageing workforce, and the percentage of female and young workers is small. Will this new decade bring about a new start? We certainly hope that next year will be the one where a more diverse workforce becomes interested in the exciting prospects that a career in logistics has to offer. At Barnes Logistics, we’re big advocates of employing both female and young workers – so we hope to see real change in attitudes in the year ahead.

 

Border checks are another of the most important focuses for the year ahead. Amid Brexit, there are likely to be heightened and more thorough checks of those passing through borders whilst regulations are ironed out in talks. This could potentially cause queues at border control which in turn may have an impact on turnaround times. This being said, one way to soften the wait at the border which could be brought in to play would involve a ‘recognised business’ system. Where logistics companies, such as Barnes Logistics, would have to apply for a pass that would deem them as a safe passer at border control – meaning they wouldn’t be subject to thorough checks and thus, would reduce the wait time when passing.

 

There are certainly a lot of speculations to be had around what 2020 will bring, with the country in one of its most uncertain yet opportunistic periods in decades. What do you think the future holds for logistics? Let us know on Twitter.

Tackling Climate Change: Who Foots The Bill?

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As a forward-thinking business in the industry, climate change and environmental issues are topics we have discussed at great length – from HGV Levies to emissions statistics. However, it has been noted by more than ourselves that the transport and logistics industry seems to take a disproportionate level of blame and, therefore, expectation for change.

 

Of course, all must work to reduce our carbon footprint, but the world cannot simply expect the logistics industry to foot the bill of climate change – both in terms of finance and convenience – of lowering the sector’s impact on the planet, whilst relying on it with increasing demands.

 

Never has this disparity become more starkly clear than in the results of a recent report from Barclays. The study looked at customers’ willingness to be greener with their retail deliveries.

 

Although respondents indicated that they expect businesses to offer more sustainable options for deliveries to help tackle climate change, they do not wish to share the increased cost associated with this. Customers are more likely to be swayed by businesses which offer green options for their deliveries, however, 62% said that they would not be willing to pay for these, and a large majority of older shoppers would expect the business to fully absorb the cost.

 

The study focuses on a respondent’s relationship with retailers, but the issue is inherently tied with retail business’ logistics providers. Although there are increasing demands from customers to have deliveries which are increasingly quicker and greener, the expectation is that this is not something worth paying for – a clear discrepancy between expectations and responsibilities.

 

The first step has been made with this study – it is important to discover more about consumers’ true feelings on eco-friendly deliveries and payment if plans are to be made to tackle a change in attitude.

 

Reducing the impact we have on our planet is an effort shared by all – where it is everyone’s responsibility, everyone should share the burden of cost. This could be in the form of higher delivery charges to cover the cost of eco-friendly fuels and lorries, or working with consumers to reduce the expectations of same- or next-day deliveries.

 

In time, it is hoped that the choice to be greener will be less costly as technologies advance; but, until then, let us remember that working to save our planet and tackle climate change is a responsibility and cost we all must carry together.

Smart Tachographs and Logistics Investment

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The DVSA have recently announced that they will not be investing in the technologies to read data from new smart tachographs. Following recent EU legislation which lead to the mandatory move from digital to smart tachographs in new commercial vehicles this summer, the agency stated that the cost of these new technologies are too high to justify the benefits.

 

So, how do these new smart technologies differ? Data from smart tachographs will be able to be read remotely and in real time, rather than vehicles having to be pulled over and stopped for this data to be read by enforcement agencies.

 

The idea behind these new tachographs would seem to benefit all parties – enforcement agencies will save a significant amount of time with all the necessary data at their fingertips, professional drivers’ schedules will not be disrupted and, most importantly, increases compliance, ensuring the safety of HGV drivers and other road users.

 

It can be understood why the DVSA has made this decision – with only new vehicles fitted with smart tachographs, they must still invest in manpower to maintain the physical checks necessary for current vehicles’ digital tachographs. This decision will have been further influenced by the fact that the same regulations which mean new vehicles must be fitted with smart tachographs only require that agencies employ full use of monitoring technologies in 2034 – 15 years away.

 

But where does this leave the logistics industry? And what does this say about the investments made to improve our sector?

 

It shows an inconsistency within policies. The latest technologies are being pushed on industry professionals – but, despite this, drivers are still being held to old rules by other parties, meaning that we cannot fully reap the benefits.

 

Surely, as an industry, embracing new technologies should be encouraged and made as easy and attractive as possible. Legislations which enforce new technologies which cannot be monitored by the appropriate enforcement parties can leave the industry feeling flat – as if the new advances in safety and efficiency are not taken as seriously as they should.

 

Should all bodies not be working together and moving at the same pace? The RHA certainly seems to think so – they have recently expressed their disappointment, with Tom Cotton, head of licensing and infrastructure at the RHA, stating: “Our members have invested in this technology to become compliant with these new regulations, so why is DVSA not prepared to show the same commitment?”

 

Surely, rather than holding off until more lorries are fitted in the future, a middle ground should be met which proportionately matches the use of new smart technologies and can be increased as more vehicles are equipped with them?

 

What are your thoughts on this latest decision? Let us know in the comments below or by tweeting us.

Barnes on: The Importance of Logistics

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Can you ever imagine what life would be like without the convenience of next day delivery?  Or perhaps you were hoping an item in your favourite shop was getting restocked so you could buy it during your next trip to your local high street but to no avail?  Imagine that suddenly, multiple people are reporting that their goods have not been delivered on time or supermarkets are not receiving their regular orders.  This is certainly a scenario that may not be out of the ordinary, reflecting a future, where the driver shortage has gone too far and put an obstacle in the smooth-running of the UK’s supply chain.    

It is without a doubt that logistics and professional drivers are the lifeblood for not only the UK supply chain but also the economy.  This was strengthened by a recent statement from the FTA’s Peter Snelling who said that “Over 90% of everything the public eat, drink, wear and build with travels on an HGV at some point in the supply chain.” 

In light of the current difficulties that the industry is facing, specifically the skills gap and the uncertainty presented by Brexit, logistics operators and HGV drivers are still working hard to meet the needs of customers and keeping shops stocked.  The upcoming deadline of Brexit is expected to worsen the situation as restrictions will be put in place, affecting international workers in the UK. 

In the 2019 Logistics Report, it was cited that 15% of HGV driver vacancies are not being filled because of the current skills shortage; which begs the question of how much longer the industry can keep its head above the parapet?  It is imperative that changes are made.  

The industry is facing an ageing workforce with a small number of young entrants, which is partly down to the lack of education on career paths.  It is important now more than ever to change young people’s perceptions and correct any misconceptions.  Statistics from the FTA advise that only 1% of HGV drivers are under the age of 25, with the average age of a driver being 53 years old and the over 50s age group represent 47% of all drivers.  

The FTA has advised the Government to reform the Apprenticeship Levy and replace it with a new Training Levy, leading to more opportunities for vocational training, as well as ensuring the upskilling of the UK’s workforce. 

There can often be expectation for school pupils to access the career paths, what has become over the past decade, the ‘traditional’ way through university.  The importance of professional driving jobs needs to be conveyed as they contribute to the success of the UK’s supply chain.  The Government could certainly use its platform to raise awareness of jobs in the logistics industry.  

Clarity on Brexit is needed, and it is the country’s political and trade uncertainties that has initially affected the number of drivers from the EU working in the UK.  We need to see a change in the industry and great urgency is needed to break out of the ageing workforce to keep the supply chain afloat. 

What do you think can be done?  Let us know your thoughts on Twitter @Barnes_Logistic.

How To Choose a Logistics Company?

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When businesses expand start looking for external secure storage solutions, or large established companies begin the search for professional road haulage, there are a deluge of deliberations to take into consideration which all boil down to one question: how to choose a logistics company?

Location

Logistics is all about physical connectivity, so it is only natural that location is a major consideration. A logistics company’s headquarters must be well placed for both intra- and international travel. With close links to the UK’s major road networks, our new headquarters in Rochdale – located just off the M62 – is the ideal location for businesses throughout the UK.

Safety

Just as the ease of getting your stock to customers is an essential consideration, so too is its safety before that journey. The safety of your goods is paramount, which is why we take pride in our own industry-leading standards of warehouse health and safety. We go above and beyond the necessary requirements – in fact, we were praised at our most recent inspection for our high levels of safety and security.

Professionalism

With a huge range of logistics companies out there, true professionalism stands out. You need to be confident that every member of your logistics team – from the office, to the warehouse floor, to the drivers. Professionalism can be boiled down into two main qualities: training and attitude. We ensure our employees are all highly-trained and enjoy being a part of the Barnes team.

You can find out more about our team of professionals, from our Transport Planners to our Human Resources team.

Flexibility

Finally, the nature of logistics must allow an element of flexibility. As specialists in Just In Time logistics, we ensure that strategies are precisely timed for maximum efficiency with goods re-stocked and distributed before they are sold out. However, should an unexpedectly large order come in from your customers, the flexible nature of Barnes Logistics means that our transport managers and drivers will work to create a plan to get the best outcome for your business.

So: how to choose a logistics company? Simple: choose Barnes!

OUR ACCREDITATIONS

 

Contact Details

Tel: 0161 684 3070
Email: admin@barneslogistics.com

About us

Barnes Logistics’ fleet operates from more than seven sites across the country and supports a nationwide client base.

Our Service

We supply ‘just in time’ logistics support and warehousing to businesses across the UK.

Registered Office

Barnes Logistics Ltd
Cowm Top Lane
Rochdale
OL11 2RG