New logistics provider enters UK market

A new joint venture has entered the UK contract logistics marketplace – Coventry-based Harlequin Logistics, which operates solely on a domestic, ambient basis.

Harlequin Logistics has six shareholders, five of which are well established privately-owned hauliers: Dumfries-based Currie European, John Raymond from Bridgend, Kent-based R.Swain, Northallerton-based Prestons of Potto, and Fakenham-based Jack Richards. These five hauliers collectively operate more than 3,000 pieces of equipment from sixteen depots across the UK.

The hauliers will continue to operate on a stand-alone basis for existing customers, but will also team up to offer large-scale national managed transport solutions under the Harlequin umbrella. The sixth shareholder is Harlequin’s company’s founder & managing director, Paul Smith. Chief executive of Currie European, Tom Barrie, will combine his responsibilities with the role of chairman of Harlequin Logistics.

According to Smith, there are very few large-scale, asset-based transport providers in the market anymore. "The super corporations run fewer and fewer trucks, and to be frank their 4PL approach is no more than smoke and mirrors. They are happy to sit in the middle as a broker, and earn huge margins from selling their customers‘ loads to the cheapest available sub-contractor," said Smith. "The shipper ends up receiving shoddy service, while the super corporations‘ massive overheads mean they are often marking up the subbie’s rates by 15% or 20%, so it is not even a cheap option."

He added that the recession has encouraged buyers to consider a wider range of possibilities, and Harlequin is confident that the new company will make a real impact on the market.

Quelle: eyefortransport
Portal: www.logistik-express.com