Vehicle orders postponed
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• Parcelforce is postponing buying new vehicles until the publication of a report next month which will analyse the parcel carrier's business strategy (CM 19-25 Sept).
Business consultant McKinsey's report is expected to be a thorough critique of how the business is performing, with suggestions for improvements.
Until its contents are known, orders for 1,500 vehicles to add to the existing 7,500 fleet cannot proceed.
No firm orders have been placed but tenders for the vehicles, which include 1,000 3.5 tonne delivery vehicles and 500 7.5-tonners, have been invited from manufacturers throughout Europe.
The additional vehicles are needed to speed Parcelforce's separation from the Royal Mail and, according to Parcelforce head of transport Ken Mabbett, the 1,500 vehicle purchase could lead to a corresponding number of new drivers.
"Parcelforce has a multimillion pound vehicle budget," says Mabbett, ''so these tenders are fiercely contested by several manufacturers."
New depot openings are expected to create extra warehousing jobs — the latest opening was in Lincoln earlier this month.
According to Mabbett, 125 drivers have volunteered for the company's programme of advanced driving, currently running as a pilot scheme in Leeds. The course is designed to reduce risk and stress and has trade union approval.