Norfolk transport firm boosts fleet to meet surging demand for deliveries

Norfolk-based haulier and logistics business Freightforce Distribution is investing in a new fleet of 11 heavy goods vehicles to meet surging demand led by the growth in ecommerce and next-day delivery. The firm has used a six-figure hire purchase loan from Lloyds Bank to acquire 11 new Mercedes HGV trucks to upgrade its 58-strong fleet based at depots in Norwich and Great Yarmouth. The investment follows a spike in demand over the bank holidays as consumers ordered more deliveries during the time off work. Last year, Freightforce built a new warehouse at its Gt. Yarmouth base to increase storage capacity five-fold. The firm, which has more than 70 drivers and 20 staff, handles an average of 10,000 to 12,000 pallets of goods per week, up from 2,000 pallets a year ago. Managing director Nick Jolley said: “As demand increases, we need to be on top of our game now more than ever and we know we need to invest to make this happen….By acquiring the trucks on hire purchase, rather than on leases, we own the assets at the end of the contract, and they add value and flexibility to our business. This is going to be essential for our growth in the future.”
Separately, fluctuations in demand and volume are creating challenges in the logistics and supply chain management sector as firms face changing customer behaviour, a squeeze on pricing, and increasing customer service levels, according to a poll of industry leaders by BDO and Barclays Corporate Banking. More than half of the respondents said that they intend to focus investment on technology that will drive efficiencies in a bid to support growth.
Plans submitted for major new manufacturing & warehouse unit in Mid-Suffolk

Plans have been submitted for a major new manufacturing and warehouse unit at Gateway 14, the new business, innovation and logistics park in Stowmarket. Developer Jaynic, in partnership with Gateway 14 – a subsidiary of Mid Suffolk District Council – has submitted a reserved matters planning application for a 164,500 sq ft facility in the latest addition to the Freeport East site, next to jct 50 of the A14. Gateway 14 is set to provide up to 2.36 million sq ft of development opportunities for R&D, manufacturing, and logistics businesses and is currently home to a new 1.17m sq ft distribution centre for retailer The Range, which is due for completion by year end. Ben Oughton, Jaynic development director, said: “We’re submitting the planning application speculatively in order to maintain momentum of delivering further high-quality buildings for this prime A14 scheme. Pending approval, it would mean we could have the next building ready for an occupier within 9-12 months on a freehold or leasehold basis for B2 (manufacturing) or B8 (distribution) uses. The size of the unit is influenced by current demand and is well suited to this prime position at the entrance to Gateway 14”.
New technology set to boost efficiency at region’s ports

The Port of Felixstowe and Shanghai Westwell Technology Co. have signed an agreement for an additional 100 battery-powered autonomous Q-Trucks. Clemence Cheng, CEO of the Port of Felixstowe and executive director of the port’s owner Hutchison Ports, said: “We are really excited to be working in partnership with Westwell to bring their ground-breaking and AI-driven technology to the Port of Felixstowe. Following the positive introduction of autonomous trucks at our terminal in Thailand and after thorough and successful testing in Felixstowe, we are rolling the system out in the U.K. The new trucks will increase the efficiency and operational consistency of our container handling as well as making a significant contribution to decarbonising operations at the port.” Delivery of the first autonomous trucks will start in September.
Meanwhile, Associated British Ports has launched a programme to digitalise asset management across its network of 21 ports, by investing £1.5 million in a mobile solution to boost the reliability and sustainability of port operations. In collaboration with Mainsaver and Spidex, it follows a successful pilot trial of the new technology at a number of ABP’s ports, including Ipswich.
In brief…
Professional services firm opens new office in Bury

Professional services firm Scrutton Bland is opening a new office in Bury St Edmunds. Managing partner Jason Fayers said: “We have been working with clients in and around Bury St Edmunds for many years, and it makes perfect sense to open an office in a location that is more convenient for them to visit. Fornham Business Court has the perfect mix of traditional farm buildings, with modern interiors and services, with plenty of parking! The new office will perfectly complement our existing premises in Colchester, Cambridge, Diss and Ipswich to service our business and personal clients and assist them in building their financial security and growth.” The new office is located in The Long Barn at Fornham Business Court, an office development in heritage farm buildings near the A14 and an office launch is planned for early July.
Cambridge quantum computing business raises £15 million
Riverlane, a Cambridge-based quantum computing business, has raised £15 million in a Series B funding round involving Molten Ventures, a tech focused venture capital fund advised by law firm Withers. Riverlane is developing solutions to quantum computing technology, including error correction that makes data processing more reliable. The funding round also included Altair and the National Security Strategic Investment Fund and returning investors Cambridge Innovation Capital and Amadeus Capital Partners.
Client wins and new appointment at communications agency

Renewables communications agency Pier has secured significant new client wins and is adding to its senior team to meet demand. The new contracts include Low Carbon, a global renewable energy company which is behind the proposed Beacon Fen Energy Park in Lincolnshire, and Freeport East, centred around Felixstowe and Harwich and close to the East Coast green energy cluster. Pier has also appointed a new Scottish-based head of renewables to help drive further growth of its specialist division, ex-BBC journalist Steph Clark (left in photo with account director Caroline Tilley). Pier managing director Amy Bendall said: “We have big plans for the agency over the next year and are excited to welcome Steph to the team whose knowledge will add value to our renewables division, as well as bringing Pier closer to our Scottish-based clients.”
Partnership to help event organisers make more sustainable decisions
Wyboston Lakes Resort, west of Cambridge, is partnering with event:decision to heighten sustainable processes, metrics and best practices at live and hybrid events held at the resort. Louisa Watson, director of marketing at Wyboston Lakes Resort, said: “This collaboration underlines our determination to provide event organisers with formalised processes to plan, deliver and track the impact of events and to make more sustainable decisions. Wide-ranging, detailed, trustworthy data is essential in making informed judgements and event;decision is highly experienced and well-resourced to supply our customers with what they need.” It is the latest in a series of innovations at Wyboston which reflect its ‘More Sustainability, No Apology’ policies.
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Accountancy firm recognised for commitment to employees
Colchester-based accountancy firm Rickard Luckin has been recognised for its commitment to improving employees experience with a 2-star accreditation rating from Best Companies, representing ’outstanding’ levels of engagement. The firm also featured in three second quarter league tables: 2nd best accountancy firm in the UK (up from 7th a year ago), 15th best company in the East of England (up from 38th) and 16th best medium-sized company to work for in the UK (up from 76th). Managing director Steve Revill said: “Continually improving the employee experience is at the heart of our strategy, so this is an important milestone in our progress towards our goal of achieving 3-star, ‘world-class’ levels of employee engagement.”
Open day for Cambridge life sciences cluster
Cambridge Wide Open Day on Wednesday 14th June will see leading science companies and innovation parks across the area open their doors to showcase the contribution of the city’s life sciences cluster to STEM innovation. Sixty companies and parks are taking part including AstraZeneca, Phoremost, St John’s Innovation Centre, Bruntwood SciTech, and Cambridge Enterprise. Prashant Shah, co-founder of o2h, said: “Cambridge Wide Open Day aims to support and further progress the Cambridge ecosystem as a science powerhouse. On Wednesday 14th June, leading organisations will open their doors to encourage inclusivity across the broader community, which is vital for further expansion and growth.”