from EU expansion
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Dutch haulage magazine TLN has found many of its readers struggling in the face of East European competition. Dominic Perry reports.
k SURVEY conducted by CM'S Dutch counterpart TLN has -evealed the impact of EU expan;ion on the Dutch haulage market. TLN quizzed 1.200 of its readers ibout the effects of EU enlarge ment results reveal that small operators are being affected most by the admission of 10 new countries into the EU last May. The most significant impact is on their businesses. The the loss of work to cut-price transport companies from the new EU countries. More than 34% respondents said their customer base has decreased — 70% said both their turnover and the amount of goods carried have decreased. Another disadvantage for smaller companies is that large transport companies which have lost international work have spare capacity which can be transferred to the domestic market at low rates Dutch firms have been relatively slow to exploit the new EU states, in terms of drivers and new business. Only 2% have a depot in Eastern Europe, with 6% considering such a move. However, 13% of firms say they are doing business with the new states: particularly Poland or Hungary.