Back in action

Apologies for blogging absence, been up to my whassnames with the new job at the Road Transport Group.

Anyway, had an interesting session downloading some of my thoughts on the current state of the road transport industry with a representative of the investment community this morning. General gist from me was that clearly the underlying issue is the lack of economic activity which has devastated the need to move goods throughout Europe and the knock on effects of that have been a collapse in everything we know as an industry.

We've still a long way to go before there's any signs of a recovery in my opinion - Ford reckons 2013 before the new van market gets back to 2007 levels - but I sense we're all getting a bit browned off with the recession. When the 'collective will' decides times up on the downturn then that has to be the first sign confidence may be on the way back.

At the European truck parking conference I chaired a couple of weeks back, the Eurocrats were still talking of a doubling of road freight volumes over the next 20 years - can't come soon enough...

Mahindra shows interest in LDV

Indian commercial vehicle producer Mahindra & Mahindra is one of the three interested parties looking to rescue LDV from the jaws of administration. Mahindra had been interested in the company in the past, before Gaz took ownership. While this could be good news for the 850 employees, LDV has a mountain to climb if its going to get back to its previous number three position in the UK van market.

Ford van prices on the rise

Ford has announced a price rise on all its products from the beginning of next month. It blames weak pound for this shift, which sees prices go up an average 3.75% across the range. Clearly the forex imbalance is what's driving inflation rises.

Truck & Driver turns tables on truck bosses

Next month's Truck & Driver, understood to be a real belter of an issue to celebrate the magazine's 25th Birthday has a cracking feature in it where editor Will Shiers has got all the bosses of the UK truck importers to spend a night in their truck. Will's just posted a blog on it. Apparently all took it in good spirit, apart from one of the bosses who complained their cab was too small... Try sleeping across the seats of an Atki Borderer for real discomfort!

LDV rescue looking less likely

Hopes of a successful rescue for LDV, seem to be diminishing as the Government turns its back on the Birmingham van builder. Looks like the Govt may be proving a point by letting a weak player fall by the wayside...

SeaFrance up for sale?

Blimey, it's all kicking off in the channel as the bids and counter-bids are coming in for SeaFrance. It looks like Brittany Ferries is the latest suitor. Although from the tone of this release from LD Lines, agreeing a price is only the first step in securing the deal. I'll keep you posted on any further developments...

LD LINES WITHDRAWS SEAFRANCE BID
After several months of discussion, at the request of SNCF, concerning the acquisition of a majority stake in SeaFrance by LD Lines, the uncertainty as to the real intentions of the seller has prompted LD Lines to withdraw its offer : the short time frame necessary to complete such an operation is no longer achievable.
The indication transmitted to the shareholder of SeaFrance on 15th December 2008, later confirmed by a binding offer on 23rd February 2009, proposed the creation of a "Large SeaFrance", combining the existing ferry services of SeaFrance with LD Lines, the head-office of which would have been installed in Calais.
This newly-formed group would have operated under the SeaFrance name, creating an undeniable leader of the Channel market, able to face the current economic difficulties, to ensure its development and to safeguard several hundreds of jobs threatened by the social plan under consideration by the Management of the company. This true industrial project, in LD Lines' view, was a guarantee for the future of the company and for the employment in the Nord / Pas de Calais region.
The success of this project required obviously the support and agreement of all stakeholders concerned. However, the opposition of the Unions, who expressed fierce objections without even knowing or asking to know the content of LD Lines' offer, has contributed to give the project an unrealistic impression.
Consequently, LD Lines has informed the management of SNCF of this decision to terminate negotiations.
LD Lines deeply regrets that its industrial project could not be implemented within the required time frame. However, the company sincerely hopes that SNCF will find a suitable solution to ensure the future of SeaFrance, a leading French shipping company, as well as to safeguard the largest possible number of jobs.

Wrekin Construction in administration

I know this isn't strictly transport related, but as a Shropshire Lad growing up in Shifnal (the home of Wrekin Construction) I thought it was worthy of mention. Wrekin Construction has gone into administration - good detail on it here at Shropshire Star. Big group, big loss...