Lorries Vans & Trailers - Logistics Business https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/transport-distribution/lorries-vans-trailers/ Logistics Business - international news, magazine and podcast for warehousing, materials handling, distribution and transport. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:57:40 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 Transport Managers Want One System or Platform https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/it-in-logistics/telematics-tms/transport-managers-want-one-system-or-platform/ Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:57:40 +0000 https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/?p=56900 Research conducted by transport technology solutions provider, Microlise, has revealed that transport and fleet... Read more »

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Research conducted by transport technology solutions provider, Microlise, has revealed that transport and fleet managers face major challenges in improving operational efficiency when using multiple, disparate systems.

76% of respondents to a recent survey said that they either use, or had used, several different programmes to manage their logistics or supply chain fleets. The same respondents were also unequivocal in their opinion: they would prefer to use just one, unified system. The same research found that almost 70% of those questioned agreed with the statement: “Relying on several different systems makes my job more complex than it needs to be”.

One such logistics firm that was using several different platforms to manage their fleet’s complex operations was Europa Worldwide Group. The company has 1,300 employees working from 26+ locations around the globe, with its European operation of 30 HGVs and 500 trailers visits 10,000 delivery locations, resulting in up to 2,400 deliveries per day. In 2024 alone, their drivers travelled almost 1.8m miles.

Each element of Europa’s tracking was hosted on a different platform, some of which were manual and needed to be brought together. Unsafe driving cost the company £238,000 in at-fault accident pay outs in 2023, and idling was revealed to have cost £900 per month in January 2024 with fuel efficiency at 10.77mpg. Around 90% of their drivers were in the ‘High’ or ‘Very High risk’ category of driver performance.

Implementation of a unified system has allowed Europa to analyse route performance and full shipment tracking – including proof of delivery – all within the same interface.

Using their fully integrated telematics platform, Europa have significantly improved driver safety with 99% of their drivers now in the ‘Low’ or ‘Very Low risk’ category. The cost of at-fault accident pay-outs has decreased by more than 65%, as per-truck accident costs went down from £375 to £225 post implementation. Idling now costs £650 per month less than before and fuel consumption is up to 12.05mpg.

“We have faith in a system that is multi-faceted. Our drivers are doing their jobs to far higher standards and the margin for error from manually plotting MOTs and services is eliminated. We can make the daily walkaround checks focus on the elements we choose and filter those that need rectifying. We would highly recommend a unified platform,” said Europa’s General Manager for Transport, Malcolm Castle.

Nadeem Raza, Microlise’s CEO, commented: “Europa’s success shows just how powerful a unified fleet management platform can be. As the logistics industry grows and pressures mount, businesses need smarter tools that can keep up. A single, integrated system doesn’t just streamline operations, it lifts a huge weight off transport managers, helping to improve job satisfaction and reduce burnout. The companies that thrive will be the ones acting now to support their teams and stay ahead of rising demands.”

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Untangling Practical and Legal Hurdles to Sustainable Logistics https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/transport-distribution/untangling-practical-and-legal-hurdles-to-sustainable-logistics/ Wed, 16 Jul 2025 09:53:52 +0000 https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/?p=56883 Electric vehicle charging infrastructure and easing highways laws could help logistics providers to innovate... Read more »

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Electric vehicle charging infrastructure and easing highways laws could help logistics providers to innovate and decarbonise their operations, write Tim Jones, director of marketing, communications and sustainability at DPD, and Ben Standing, partner in planning and environment at UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson.

The UK’s logistics industry stands at the heart of the nation’s net zero ambitions, moving everything from manufacturing components to finished goods across complex supply chains that underpin the economy. As the government pursues its 2050 net zero targets, the role of logistics has never been more critical.

However, the environmental gains achieved in production risk being undermined if the carbon footprint is simply transferred to the delivery process – known as Scope 3 emissions, which are embedded in supply chains and account for the vast majority of a company’s carbon footprint. This interconnectedness means logistics companies are not merely participants in the green transition, but enablers of broader economic decarbonisation across multiple industries.

Management consultancy McKinsey & Company estimates the global logistics industry accounts for about 7% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, with 80% of these emissions related to transportation. While there are already some exciting advances in the green logistics revolution, a number of practical, legal and regulatory hurdles remain.

Innovation driving change

A successful sustainability transition requires more than simply swapping diesel vehicles for electric alternatives. Innovation must address practical challenges including payload considerations, driver route optimisation, vehicle range limitations, and the development of both on-site and public charging infrastructure.

As part of its commitment to net zero by 2040, DPD has developed smart charging systems that allow drivers to book charging slots and join virtual queues, reducing anxiety about charger availability. It is also trialling fully-electric, autonomous robot deliveries in Milton Keynes, navigating the city’s traffic-free Redway network to access nearby residential neighbourhoods.

Practical and legal hurdles slowing progress

Despite technological advances, significant practical obstacles remain. Effective government support for a green transition within the logistics industry is therefore required via co-ordinated action across multiple policy areas. There are now about 80,000 charging points in the UK, but there is some way to go for the Department for Transport to meet its target of at least 300,000 points by 2030. A Public Accounts Committee report published in March 2025 found the government has been slow to address gaps in charge point provision, with regional divides and inequalities across the rollout.

The legal landscape surrounding emerging logistics technologies presents a complex web of regulatory requirements that are still evolving. The deployment of autonomous delivery robots on public highways raises novel legal questions about liability, insurance requirements, safety standards, and the interaction between automated systems and existing traffic regulations.

Current legislation was not designed to accommodate delivery robots, drones and other autonomous systems operating in shared public spaces. This creates uncertainty for logistics companies seeking to invest in these technologies while ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations. Establishing regulatory sandboxes would allow for safe testing and deployment of innovative technologies.

Insurance and liability frameworks require careful consideration when deploying new technologies. Questions arise about responsibility in the event of accidents involving autonomous systems, the adequacy of existing insurance products and the development of new risk assessment methodologies for novel technologies.

Collaborative pathways forward

McKinsey estimates worldwide demand for green logistics will reach £350bn by 2030, comprising 15% of total global logistics spend. This shows the prize for success is substantial: a logistics industry that not only reduces its own environmental impact, but enables broader economic decarbonisation while maintaining the efficient goods movement that underpins modern life.
The green logistics transformation, however, requires collaboration between industry, government and other stakeholders to untangle the various practical and legal challenges.

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XPO and PepsiCo Announce UK Transport Partnership https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/transport-distribution/xpo-and-pepsico-announce-uk-transport-partnership/ Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:08:57 +0000 https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/?p=56875 XPO Logistics has entered into a major new partnership with PepsiCo to become their chosen... Read more »

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XPO Logistics has entered into a major new partnership with PepsiCo to become their chosen core transport partner for England and Wales. The partnership with XPO Logistics will operate across all four of its main UK distribution sites in Leicester, Lutterworth, Coventry, and Warrington.

PepsiCo is one of the world’s leading food and beverage manufacturers. Every day, millions of people across the UK enjoy PepsiCo’s snacks, oats and carbonated soft drinks. The company’s portfolio encompasses world famous brands such as Pepsi MAX, Doritos, 7UP Zero Sugar, and Quaker Oats, alongside its much-loved, local and regional brands, including Walkers, Wotsits, Monster Munch, and Pipers.

Beyond the cupboard staples and snack-time favourites, PepsiCo is a business committed to driving positive action for the planet and people, through its PepsiCo Positive (pep+) agenda. Launched in 2021, pep+ is PepsiCo’s end-to-end sustainability and business strategy. It’s a framework that drives action across agriculture, supply chains, product portfolios, and communities. To support this vision, PepsiCo has selected XPO Logistics as a key partner to advance its decarbonisation strategy in the UK.

Under the new partnership, XPO Logistics will deploy state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz eActros electric vehicles, converting more than 1 million road kilometres annually from diesel to battery electric. This transition represents a reduction of over 1,200 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year from PepsiCo’s transport operations — a critical step on the road to net zero emissions by 2050.

But sustainability is about more than just trucks. At the heart of the initiative is XPO Logistics’ proprietary CO₂ Reporting Dashboard, a cutting-edge tool powered by AI-driven scenario modelling, live data analytics, and proactive planning insights. This system enables PepsiCo to track, verify, and optimise carbon reduction strategies in real-time, while improving logistics efficiency and service to customers.

Dan Myers, Managing Director – UK and Ireland, XPO Logistics, said: “Sustainability is in our DNA. We are proud to partner with PepsiCo on this journey, combining investment in electric mobility with advanced technology and operational excellence. Our shared ambition goes beyond compliance — it’s about transformation. I believe this is just the beginning of what we can achieve together.”

This collaboration forms a key part of PepsiCo’s broader decarbonisation journey, demonstrating how purposeful partnerships can accelerate climate action and improve value chain resilience. With shared values, shared investment, and a shared vision, PepsiCo and XPO Logistics are delivering a positive impact for consumers, the supply chain, and the planet.

Heiko Selzam, Managing Director, Daimler Truck UK, said: “We are very proud to strengthen our partnership further with XPO Logistics with this order of our award-winning eActros 600s for the PepsiCo partnership. This commitment underscores the recognition of both companies of the critical role these vehicles will play in achieving their sustainability goals. Following extensive collaboration, this order firmly establishes the eActros 600 as a leading solution in the electric truck market. We are looking forward to seeing these trucks operational from 1 August.”

Andrew Smethurst, UK Logistics Director, PepsiCo, said, “XPO Logistics has shown itself to be the ideal partner to help advance our PepsiCo Positive ambition. From their industry-leading sustainability credentials to a strong safety culture and transparent operational model, their team has consistently delivered innovation and value. This new partnership will play a vital role in further reducing our logistics emissions as we move iconic products like Walkers crisps and Doritos to our customers across the UK.”

XPO Logistics is a leading innovative supply chain company in Europe, offering end-to-end logistics solutions that combine full-truckloadless-than-truckload, pallet distributionlast-mile deliveryglobal freight forwarding, and warehousing services. The company tailors its solutions to the specific needs of its customers in a wide range of industrial and consumer sectors.

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Ofcom Proposes Major Reform of Royal Mail https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/transport-distribution/ofcom-proposes-major-reform-of-royal-mail/ Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:37:30 +0000 https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/?p=56810 Ofcom has unveiled proposals to reform the UK’s Universal Service Obligation (USO), aiming to... Read more »

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Ofcom has unveiled proposals to reform the UK’s Universal Service Obligation (USO), aiming to bring the postal system in line with changing consumer behaviour and ensure the long-term sustainability of Royal Mail’s operations.

With letter volumes falling dramatically and parcel demand continuing to grow, the regulator is seeking to modernise the services Royal Mail is legally required to provide, while maintaining key features that consumers still value — such as affordability and nationwide coverage.

Letter Decline Spurs Review

Over the last decade, letter volumes in the UK have halved — from around 14 billion in 2011/12 to just 7 billion in 2022/23. In contrast, parcel volumes have risen steadily, driven by e-commerce and changing business models. Ofcom’s review responds to this shift, highlighting that the current six-day-a-week letter delivery model is no longer aligned with consumer needs or usage patterns.

Proposed Changes to the USO

Among the most significant proposals is a revision to delivery frequency. Royal Mail would no longer be required to deliver Second Class letters six days per week. Instead, deliveries would be made every other weekday, while First Class mail would continue with a six-day delivery schedule. Parcel services are unaffected by the proposals.

Ofcom also recommends updating performance standards. The new model would set realistic expectations based on how consumers actually use the mail:

  • First Class delivery: target of 90% delivered next-day (down from 93%)
  • Second Class delivery: target of 95% delivered within three days (down from 98.5%)

New reliability targets:

  • 99.5% of First Class mail delivered within three days
  • 99.5% of Second Class mail delivered within five days

These changes reflect a growing preference for reliability and value over speed, according to Ofcom’s research.

Affordability and Accessibility Remain Key

While usage patterns have changed, many people still depend on the postal service — particularly in rural and remote areas. The regulator is committed to preserving elements such as uniform pricing and national coverage to ensure fair access for all.

Consumers indicated that they continue to value the availability of next-day First Class service and the ability to send items across the country at a consistent price.

What Happens Next?

The public consultation on these proposals closed in April 2025. Ofcom is now reviewing responses from stakeholders, including postal users, businesses, and consumer groups. A final decision on the updated USO is expected later this year, with implementation likely to follow shortly after.

For the logistics sector, these reforms mark a significant step in rebalancing letter and parcel operations, aligning the regulatory framework with today’s market demands and delivery expectations.

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BIFA Strengthens Freight Crime Prevention https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/transport-distribution/bifa-strengthens-freight-crime-prevention/ Tue, 08 Jul 2025 11:02:56 +0000 https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/?p=56786 The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is strengthening its sponsorship and collaboration with the... Read more »

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The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is strengthening its sponsorship and collaboration with the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS), reinforcing a shared commitment to tackling freight crime across the UK.

As part of this reinvigorated partnership, BIFA will provide financial support to NaVCIS, helping fund its critical work in preventing and investigating vehicle-related crimes, with a strong focus on freight theft and cargo security. In return, BIFA will receive regular intelligence briefings from NaVCIS on truck crime trends, emerging criminal tactics, and national crime hotspots.

This intelligence will be disseminated to BIFA’s extensive corporate membership base, enabling freight forwarders and logistics companies to stay informed about current risks and take proactive steps to protect their operations. By sharing this vital information, BIFA will be able to help its members implement targeted security measures, contributing to a safer and more resilient supply chain.

“Freight crime is a growing concern for our industry, and collaboration is key to tackling it effectively,” said Steve Parker, director general of BIFA. “Our sponsorship of NaVCIS will help to ensure that our members are kept up to date with accurate, timely intelligence. This partnership underscores BIFA’s commitment to promoting safety, reducing freight crime, and supporting the authorities in their work. We also have plans to raise further awareness of NaVCIS to our members through the release of a documentary-style episode of BIFA TV. This feature-length episode will share case studies demonstrating the organisation’s work at locations such as Beaconsfield services in Buckinghamshire and the Red Lion truck stop in Northampton.”

NaVCIS Freight, the specialised arm of the national police unit, focuses exclusively on cargo crime. By analysing data and working closely with industry partners such as BIFA, NaVCIS plays a crucial role in identifying patterns of criminal activity and supporting targeted investigations. With NaVCIS relying heavily on funding from industry stakeholders, BIFA’s support not only empowers crime-fighting initiatives but also highlights the value of cross-sector cooperation in protecting the UK’s freight infrastructure.

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New Contract for Electric Refrigeration Fleet https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/transport-distribution/cold-chain-logistics/electric-refrigeration-fleet/ Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:43:38 +0000 https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/?p=56783 A British food producer has signed a contract with a zero-carbon cold chain provider... Read more »

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A British food producer has signed a contract with a zero-carbon cold chain provider for road transport refrigeration, following fleet operations demonstrating 81% cost savings over diesel.

Sunswap, the British manufacturer of Endurance transport refrigeration units, today announced the delivery of multiple battery and solar-powered units to Cranswick’s Preston site. Cranswick, one of the UK’s largest farm to fork food producers, joins a growing network of operators running zero-emission refrigeration across food manufacturing, retail, and logistics, advancing their ‘Second Nature’ sustainability strategy and science-based targets.

For companies with ambitious sustainability targets, transport refrigeration represents both a significant challenge and an immediate opportunity. Traditional transport refrigeration burns thousands of litres of diesel a year, generating CO2 emissions and harmful local pollutants such as NOx and particulate matter. Sunswap enables the complete elimination of these emissions while reducing operational costs.

When Cranswick ran Endurance in their own operations in 2024, Endurance demonstrated 81% lower running costs and 43% total cost savings compared to diesel refrigeration. Additionally, when tested against HVO fuel – already a cleaner alternative to standard diesel – Sunswap still came out ahead, eliminating all NOx and particulate emissions while maintaining the cost advantages.

“Cranswick joins the growing number of operators choosing zero-emission refrigeration for UK food manufacturing”, said Michael Lowe, Chief Executive Officer, Sunswap. “What’s significant here is that Cranswick didn’t just compare us to standard diesel. They compared Endurance against their existing HVO solution, and the operational benefits were compelling. This shows that even companies already investing in lower-carbon fuels can achieve breakthrough improvements with purpose-built electric refrigeration”.

Gary Hewson, Transport Manager, Cranswick commented, “integrating Sunswap’s zero-emission refrigeration technology aligns perfectly with our Second Nature sustainability commitments. Beyond the benefits of direct emissions reduction, the operational cost savings and performance reliability made this a sound business decision that supports our progress towards our Science Based Targets.”

The Endurance units will be used to transport temperature-sensitive meat products from Cranswick’s manufacturing facilities to retailers across the UK, ensuring product quality while eliminating emissions from refrigeration throughout the journey.

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EU Road Transport Toll Exemption Extended https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/transport-distribution/haulage-freight-forwarding/eu-road-transport-toll-exemption-extended/ Mon, 30 Jun 2025 12:36:17 +0000 https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/?p=56698 The European Commission’s proposal to extend toll exemptions for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles is a... Read more »

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The European Commission’s proposal to extend toll exemptions for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles is a welcome step but broader Eurovignette reforms are still urgently needed.

IRU welcomes the European Commission’s proposal to extend toll exemptions for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks, to help encourage their market uptake. The Commission’s proposal extends the current exemption from road tolls and user charges for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles from 31 December 2025 to 30 June 2031. Announced in the Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector, the measure aims to support the competitiveness of sustainable road transport to help boost the market uptake of zero-emission vehicles and align with the EU’s CO₂ emission performance standards, which target a 43% reduction in emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles by 2030.

IRU EU Advocacy Director Raluca Marian said, “Extending toll exemptions is a much-needed signal of support for early movers investing in zero-emission vehicles. It acknowledges the reality that incentives, not penalties, are what truly accelerate decarbonisation in commercial road transport. However, IRU urges EU policymakers to address key gaps in the broader Eurovignette framework to ensure a fair and effective transition to low- and zero-emission road transport.”

IRU stresses the need for urgent action in the following key areas:

1. Including other low-carbon fuels: Vehicles powered by alternative liquid and gaseous fuels, such as e-fuels, carbon-neutral fuels, biofuels, and biofuel blends, should also benefit from substantial toll reductions to support immediate lowering of CO₂ emissions in transport through the uptake of clean fuels.

2. Earmarking of CO₂-related revenues: A temporary, mandatory allocation of all CO₂-related toll revenues to support the commercial road transport sector’s decarbonisation efforts is essential.

3. Avoiding double taxation: The current framework allows Member States to impose multiple CO₂-related charges (e.g. rate variation and external cost charges), which risks overburdening operators and undermining investment in clean technologies.

“At this critical stage, when the sector must scale up its investment in zero-emission vehicles, which remain significantly more expensive, a temporary earmarking of CO₂-related toll revenues to support this transition is essential,” concluded  Marian. “Without this, many operators will struggle. Moreover, the Eurovignette framework must go further by recognising the contribution of low-carbon fuels already reducing CO₂ emissions. An inclusive and balanced approach is the only way to ensure a fair and effective green transition.”

The proposal will now be reviewed by the European Parliament and the Council under the ordinary legislative procedure.

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Wheel Restraint System Firm’s New Hire https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/materials-handling-warehousing/loading-bay-safety/wheel-restraint-systems-firms-new-hire/ Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:45:36 +0000 https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/?p=56667 GMR Safety, a global supplier of wheel restraint systems, is pleased to announce the... Read more »

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GMR Safety, a global supplier of wheel restraint systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of Benoit Dubeau as sales director.

In Dubeau’s new role, he will be responsible for achieving sales targets, developing and executing strategic sales plans, building and maintaining key client relationships, and driving sales growth.

Bringing decades of industry leadership experience in operations, sales, business development and strategic account management, Dubeau has held a variety of positions, including vice president of operations and sales, vice president of sales, sales director, key account director, and human resources director.

“From his knowledge of commercial strategy to his respected reputation within the field, Benoit will undoubtedly strengthen GMR’s future,” said Gaétan Jetté, founder and CEO of GMR Safety. “Dubeau brings decades of leadership experience across operations, sales and HR making him a strong asset to our team.”

Dubeau holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Quebec in Montreal.

Headquartered in Quebec, GMR Safety is a global designer and manufacturer of wheel-based vehicle restraint systems for all types of vehicles operating in logistics warehouses and loading areas. Since 1996, the company has been committed to the safety and success of its customers and partners by providing innovative, reliable and simple solutions with the same fundamental principle at heart: designed to last.

GMR Safety has grown to become one of the world’s top manufacturers of dock safety products, achieving a 25 percent annual growth rate in the last eight years by installing more than 35,000 systems in more than 30 countries worldwide.

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Samsara Unveils Major Safety and AI Upgrades https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/it-in-logistics/ai-iot/samsara-unveils-major-safety-and-ai-upgrades/ Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:06:50 +0000 https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/?p=56656 Samsara has just launched more than a dozen new safety and AI-powered tools designed... Read more »

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Samsara has just launched more than a dozen new safety and AI-powered tools designed to make physical operations safer, smarter, and more efficient than ever before. Launched at its annual Beyond conference in San Diego, David Priestman reports.

Fuelled by Samsara’s open platform, these first-of-their-kind solutions empower organisations to operate smarter and fundamentally alter the industry’s approach to the safety of frontline teams. These new solutions include AI-powered safety tools, a new connected wearable, advanced routing and navigation capabilities and enhanced maintenance tools.

“We’ve entered the age of intelligence, and AI is helping our customers operate smarter,” said Sanjit Biswas, CEO and co-founder of Samsara. “We’re partnering with our customers to build products that help them run safer, more efficient operations and protect frontline workers while saving millions of dollars.”Samsara has invested more than $1bn in research and development to date. By leveraging its more than 14 trillion data points, the company is continuing its innovation leadership with the launch of several new products and enhancements.

Reward drivers, spot risks and prevent incidents in real time

Driving ranks among the top 10 most dangerous jobs. Over the past decade, there has been a 49% increase in fatal crashes, coupled with a 40% increase in associated insurance premiums in the USA. Samsara offers advanced technology to help detect risky driving events, such as phone use or speeding; now, several new AI-fuelled features have been added to improve fleet safety and reward safe driving:

● AI Multi-Cam: Drivers can now add up to four additional HD cameras, providing a 360-degree view to reduce blind spots, all accessible via an in-cab monitor. In addition, the AI Multi-Cam actively notifies drivers in real time of hazards, such as pedestrians and cyclists. Whether using a Samsara camera or a third-party device, administrators can retrieve historic video footage and corresponding audio to help quickly resolve incidents.

● Weather Intelligence: Administrators can now overlay real-time weather data pulled from the National Weather Service onto the existing dashboards to view and alert workers of imminent threats such as fire risks, heavy rain and more.

● Safety Coaching for Lean Teams: A new set of customisable features helps administrators with lean safety teams to scale driver coaching and recognition with AI and automation. AI analyses hundreds of risky driving events – considering factors such as severity, frequency, road conditions and total drive time – and automatically sends low-risk behaviours to drivers for self-coaching and escalates higher-risk events to managers. Furthermore, AI provides insight into big-picture behavioural trends across drivers and trips, so managers can coach based on driving patterns rather than just isolated incidents.

● Revamped Driver App: As the No. 1 driver app in both major app stores, the Samsara app now includes TikTok-style training videos to boost engagement and end-of-day reviews to help with driver coaching. Designed to act as a companion for drivers throughout the day, the app now offers new gamification features and recognition tools to reinforce positive, safe behaviour. For example, administrators can send gift cards that can be redeemed at popular dining, entertainment and shopping locations directly through the app.


“Getting drivers home safe is one of our primary goals at Samsara, a priority we share with every one of our more than 10,000 customers,” said Johan Land, SVP of Product and Engineering at Samsara. “Thanks to rapid advancements in AI technology, we’ve been able to build new products that are now empowering drivers to make better decisions on the road and equipping safety teams with the tools for faster, more effective feedback. AI is increasingly becoming a powerful ally in protecting drivers, and Samsara is at the forefront of this trend.”

Worker Safety Beyond the Vehicle: New wearable joins the fleet

The need to keep frontline teams safe extends beyond the vehicle to both local jobsites and remote locations. To help protect frontline workers outside of the vehicle, Samsara is introducing the Samsara Wearable. The new connected device is powered by the Samsara network of millions of devices and enables quick response and protection in any environment. With the addition of the wearable, organisations now have access to a holistic safety offering that can help predict risk, reduce accidents and alert administrators to urgent needs of their frontline workers. The new Samsara Wearable offers several benefits, including:

● More than one year of battery life: The Samsara network replaces the need for cellular connectivity, equipping the Samsara Wearable with a battery life of more than one year. This charge life far surpasses the industry standard of 24 hours, providing reliable access to everywhere customers operate.
● One-click protection: With one click, workers can connect to emergency services, who can immediately pinpoint their precise location and access a real-time audio recording of the situation. The small, lightweight device is easy to use and gives workers an added layer of protection in the field.
● Fall detection: The Samsara Wearable can automatically detect and respond to falls in situations such as slips on icy pavements and falls from heights such as scaffolding, cranes or trailers.
● Proactive threat alerts: In the case of severe weather or wildfires, fleet managers can proactively check in on workers and alert them of the unsafe conditions via push notifications to the device.
● One platform: Samsara connects driver and worker safety in one system, allowing for faster response times and visibility across the entire fleet.

Smarter, Easier Routing

Historically, commercial fleets have relied on a patchwork of incomplete maps and manual processes to plan routes and guide drivers. These legacy maps are updated as infrequently as every one to five years, leading to inefficient routes, missed delivery windows and increased driver stress. Samsara’s new Route Planning and Commercial Navigation products offer a modern, integrated alternative that helps fleets cut costs, stay compliant and deliver more reliably.

● Route Planning: Building on existing routing capabilities, Samsara now integrates directly with fleet operators’ sales systems to pinpoint the most efficient routes and delivery schedules for customers’ fleets. These advanced routing capabilities consider variables such as vehicle limitations, compliance requirements for drivers, customer delivery windows, as well as traffic and weather patterns, to stay within promised delivery windows and avoid unnecessary fuel usage. Early Samsara data suggests a 15% reduction in the number of vehicles required for deliveries and a reduction of manual back-office routing time, turning routing into a competitive advantage.

● Commercial Navigation: Samsara can now overlay fleet-specific restrictions such as weight, height and hazmat directly onto standard digital maps to provide more accurate turn-by-turn directions. By combining this insight with information such as hours of service within the Samsara Driver App, drivers can access everything they need in a single location to remain compliant and on time.

“Samsara has made a significant impact on our operations, saving $7.75 million annually across our three fleets by helping us optimise planned versus actuals route improvements,“ said Andy Yearout, VP of Transportation & Logistics at Mohawk Industries. “With the new Route Planning capability, we expect to see a reduction in daily route planning time from hours to minutes.”

Asset Maintenance and Visibility

Vehicle maintenance violations comprise 60% of all US Department of Transportation offences, resulting in substantial financial penalties and costly vehicle downtime. To help minimise these disruptions, Samsara has introduced several new preventative maintenance features, including Vehicle Inspection, Fault Code Intelligence, Automated Work Orders and Level Monitoring.

● Vehicle Inspection: Now, drivers can simplify the vehicle inspection process by automatically converting inspection notes from voice to text. In turn, managers can ensure that reports are properly completed by viewing drivers’ walkaround paths, the duration of the inspection and quality of the report photos. To help maintain compliance, the platform triggers real-time alerts for missing vehicle inspections, monitors FMCSA data, reviews inspection result and violations and audits driver behaviour. This AI-powered functionality works in low-connectivity and loud environments and results in faster inspections and streamlined repairs and maintenance.
● Fault Code Intelligence and Automated Work Orders: This optimisation extends to the back office, where fleet administrators can view the Vehicle Inspections in a unified dashboard. Fault code intelligence automatically deciphers the codes and uses AI to create maintenance work orders. In addition, Samsara now offers AI invoice scanning to help quickly upload external vendor invoices into the platform, reducing administrative time and errors associated with manual entries.
● Level Monitoring: With level monitoring, organisations have near real-time visibility into levels across a wide range of tank types. This insight enables improved tank utilisation and the ability to optimise inventory.

“Physical operations organisations are at the forefront of adopting AI because it saves lives. It also drives a more efficient use of labour, fuel and energy savings, and higher utilisation of capital assets,” said Kiren Sekar, Chief Product Officer, Samsara. “With the rollout of Samsara’s new AI-powered solutions, we are giving physical operations leaders a real partner on both safety and efficiency.”

HappyRobot Integration

Continuing its commitment to bring cutting-edge AI to its customers, Samsara today announced a new partnership with HappyRobot, a pioneer in AI-powered voice solutions for the logistics sector. Samsara Ventures also announced an investment in HappyRobot to reflect our belief in its vision and the transformative potential of agentic AI.

HappyRobot offers truly human-like agentic AI to automate communications via phone, email and text to boost efficiency and improve customer satisfaction. Organisations can use agents to automatically call drivers or customers to notify them of shift details or order status, to navigate phone trees, negotiate contracts with freight brokers and even for screening, hiring and onboarding.

HappyRobot users are automating more than 20 million conversations annually, reducing call times by half and cutting operational costs by a third. Existing Samsara customers like Werner are seeing tremendous value from HappyRobot’s technology.

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DHL Supply Chain signs contract for sustainable battery recycling https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/transport-distribution/dhl-supply-chain-signs-contract-for-sustainable-battery-recycling/ Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:26:59 +0000 https://www.logisticsbusiness.com/?p=56649 DHL Supply Chain has signed a long-term contract with Fortum Battery Recycling, a business... Read more »

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DHL Supply Chain has signed a long-term contract with Fortum Battery Recycling, a business of the Nordic energy company Fortum. The agreement covers the development and provision of customized service logistics solutions for the recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. With this partnership, both companies are making an important contribution to promoting sustainable supply chains and conserving valuable resources.

Fortum Battery Recycling is the only player providing a European solution for every stage of the battery recycling value chain. The company is a pioneer in the development of processes to efficiently recover valuable raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel from used batteries with minimal waste residue, thus driving forward the circular economy in electromobility. Under the agreement, DHL Supply Chain will provide customized service logistics solutions to ensure that Fortum’s recycling processes run smoothly, safely, and efficiently.

Forward-looking service logistics solutions for battery recycling

DHL Supply Chain’s service logistics goes beyond conventional logistics services. The aim is to ensure the business success of customers by guaranteeing the functionality of products and technologies throughout their life cycle. In the field of battery recycling, this means that DHL Supply Chain is responsible for the entire spectrum of services in the logistics segment. These include the safe transportation, storage, and handling of used EV batteries, as well as timely delivery to Fortum’s recycling facilities.

“Our collaboration with Fortum underscores our commitment to providing innovative logistics solutions to meet the growing demands of e-mobility,” explains Hendrik Venter, CEO at DHL Supply Chain EMEA. “Through our expertise in service logistics and our global network, we can help Fortum expand their recycling capabilities while maintaining the highest safety and sustainability standards.”

Sustainable solutions for electromobility

For Fortum, the cooperation with DHL Supply Chain is an important step in further expanding its sustainable recycling solutions and making the market for electric vehicles even more environmentally friendly. “We are proud to be working with DHL Supply Chain to develop an efficient and sustainable logistics solution for the recycling of EV batteries,” comments Anssi Airas, Head of Business Line Battery at Fortum. “We believe that electrification of Europe is not possible without sustainable recycling of batteries taking place in Europe, for Europe. The cooperation with DHL is an essential building block for our mission to promote the circular economy and maximize resource conservation.”

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