News

Since joining as a founder member of the Palletforce network 19 years ago, it’s been a privilege to see the brand grow and go from strength to strength. To this day Palletforce boast 1,000+ years members’ experience in the industry, helping to cover over 25 European countries along the way. 

Being a part of one of the leading overnight pallet operators in the UK, our membership allows us to work together with other highly respected transport companies to enhance and complement our operations so that we work in a smart and efficient way for the benefit of our customers, other road users and the environment.

Here at Nidd, we look after the Spanish & Portuguese import and export traffic for the network. Thanks to our depots in cities such as Irun, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Porto, Valencia and Murcia, we are able to offer genuine daily departures to Spain and Portugal with guaranteed transit times.

Being one of the very few UK operators who are able to offer the above service, we prove to be a key part of the network. Our work allows fellow members to offer complete coverage of the Spain and Portugal area.

We are very proud to be a part of this fantastic network, who were kind enough to vote us “Depot of the Year” for the past 4 years (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), something which couldn’t have been done without the whole team at Nidd Transport.

Here’s to the future!

If you’d like to find out more about the services we offer, contact the team.

As you will be aware, on Friday 31^st January 2020 the UK will end its membership with the European Union and enter a transitional period where all parties will work toward an agreement on the future relationship between the UK and the EU. 

A lot of customers have asked what does this mean for them – The transitional period to negotiate a deal will run from 1^st February 2020 until 31^st December 2020 and during this time nothing will change with regards how you import and export goods within the EU, the outcome of any agreement reached during this time will take effect from 1^st January 2021.

Nidd Transport will be working with all of our customers during 2020 to ensure they are prepared for Brexit and will be available to answer any questions that you may have as the year and negotiations move forward.

Please get in touch should you have any queries in relation to the above and we will be happy to help.

As the saying goes “fail to prepare, prepare to fail”, with the same principles applying if you’re a truck driver. It’s always important to lay out your day ahead of schedule to ensure that you’re using your time efficiently. Planning simply helps drivers know where they’re going, when they’re going to get there and if there could be any issues along the way, here’s our top tips:

Check the weather

It may sound simple but checking the weather before you set off on your journey is always important. As we outlined in our previous blog, the changing weather conditions can make your job as a driver much more difficult, so knowing how you may need to prepare your vehicle can go a long way. 

Plan fuel stops in advance

There’s not much worse than realising you’re running low on fuel when you’ve got no idea where the closest station is. There are plenty of apps out there which can tell you where all the fuel stations are, so pre-planning where you may need to fill up will save you a lot of hassle. Price can fluctuate between different stations also, so it’s important to do your homework before you begin your journey to see where you can pick up the best deal, and whether they accept your fuel card.

Plan your breaks

With a maximum of 56 hours weekly driving limit, along the course of your journey you will have to take regular stops. Depending on whether you’re taking a 45-minute break or you’re settling down for a 9 hour stop over, there are plenty of places up and down the UK that are suitable. Most service stations along the motorway have dedicated truck stop destinations, or you can book yourself in to local hotels that are close to your route. Pre-planning where you are going to take your stops can save you valuable time that you may have spent searching for a suitable location, helping you make sure your goods are delivered on time. 

Use traffic warning apps

In the modern era, mobile phone apps usually know about upcoming RTA’s before we do. Therefore, it’s important you have an up to date application on your phone that can warn you about upcoming accidents on route. If this is done in time, it can allow you to find an alternative route that won’t make you sit in traffic for hours on end. 

Manage expectations 

A key part of your day should always be to keep your customers up to date with your movements. Whether that’s letting them know you’re running slightly behind schedule, or even that you’re going to be there earlier than expected, telling your customers your ETA can help keep their expectations in check. Customer satisfaction should always be at the top of your list as a business, so clear communication is always a good way to make sure they have the best experience possible.

Do you need help with your haulage? Call the team with your requirements to see how we can help. 

As far as big decisions in a business go, choosing the right haulage company is right up there. Get the decision wrong, and you could risk delivering goods late to your customers and potentially risking any future business. However, get it right and you’ll be left with nothing but good reviews and increased business.

At Nidd Transport, we pride ourselves on our customer service and ability to deliver on all our promises. Here’s 5 reasons you should choose us:

Customer Service 

Reputation is everything in the haulage industry, and that’s why we’re so proud that all of our customers will back us up in saying that we guarantee you a highly reliable service. Based from our office and warehouse in Melmerby, we believe in establishing long-term partnerships with our customers. This allows us to understand how their business works, ensuring we can offer on-time deliveries with competitive prices.  

Experience

Our team at Nidd Transport has many years’ experience of working in the international groupage industry. This means that no matter how large or small the enquiry, we have the team that can meet all of our customer’s needs. We can provide a tailor-made and bespoke service to fulfil any requirement, with a transparent pricing structure.

Environmental Awareness

It’s well known that the transport industry isn’t the cleanest business out there, which is why we are constantly looking to improve our carbon footprint. We aim to improve our efficiency wherever possible, shown by our investment the latest low-carbon vehicles with Euro 6 engines.  

European Distribution 

We are one of only a few U.K. operators who offer daily services to Spain, France, Ireland and Germany, as well as twice-weekly services to Italy. We are constantly improving our European distribution, so keep an eye on our social media channels to keep up to date with the latest news. 

Our range of services 

At Nidd Transport, we pride ourselves on our ability to meet our customers’ requirements, no matter the request. That’s why we’re proud to offer a range of service which include UK & European distribution, warehousing and freight forwarding, get in touch to see how we can help you. 

Having been in the haulage industry for such a long time, we like to think we know the ins and outs of driving in winter. There is a lot that goes into preparing your vehicle for the winter months, so here we’re going to highlight how you can do exactly that.

Monitor your vehicles temperature 

You can never be too prepared when it comes to looking after your vehicle, as the unpredictability of the weather always has potential to create issues. Also, as obvious as it may sound, the temperature of your vehicle can massively fluctuate in winter which is why it’s important to know what to look out for and how to fix potential problems. Always remember to plug in your engine block heater each night, to make sure that your vehicle is not under or overheating. 

Be prepared for every eventuality 

When it comes to driving in winter, you can never be too prepared. Therefore, before any journey you should make sure that you have all the equipment required just in case any problems arise. Here are some things you should have with you at all times:

• De-icer
• At least half a tank of fuel at all times 
• A thick blanket
• A mobile phone and charger (never use your mobile when driving)
• A first aid kit
• A high visibility jacket
• A flash light 

Always drive carefully

It’s no coincidence that 17% of all road accidents occur during wintery conditions. As the temperature becomes colder, ice will form on the roads (especially in the morning) making it more difficult to drive like you normally would. To help avoid a potential accident make sure you slow down to a sensible speed, allowing you enough time to accustom yourself to the road and react in case of emergency. It’s also worth noting that stopping distances typically times by 10 during the Winter months, so always be alert and note that you have to slow down much earlier than normal. 

Check your tyres

As mentioned above, stopping distances dramatically increase in winter so it’s important to make sure your tyres are up to the job before travelling anywhere. Before any journey they should always be checked for their wear, pressure and balance. Choosing the right tyres can mean the difference between stopping safely and having an accident. The tread on summer tyres begins to harden when the temperature drops below 7°C, which reduces the tyre’s ability to grip the road. 

To find out more about our range of services, get in touch.

The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is at a record high across the world and it’s no secret that the Haulage industry has had a big impact on the environment in recent history, mainly due to the increased distances we are travelling on the roads. However, at Nidd Transport we are always looking for ways to reduce our impact, as well as helping others to do the exact same. Where do you start?

Awareness

Awareness is key in all walks of life, and the Haulage industry is no different. Effectively teaching all employees about how they can reduce their impact can go a long way to helping the business as a whole, so it’s important to start with the drivers. Driving more efficiently can be done in a wide variety of ways, such as combining drips and doing multiple loads at once, so you aren’t driving extra miles for the sake of it. The more you know, the more you’ll save!  

Keep up to date

New methods for collecting and delivering consignments are being thought of every single day, so keeping an open dialogue between clients and staff is vital. If there is a new method that proves to be more energy efficient than the one you currently have in place, then it’s important to know and get it implemented as soon as possible. 

Ensure you have the latest low-carbon vehicles

European Regulations have been imposed on new cars now for over 25 years, with the aim of improving air quality. Investing in the latest environmentally friendly engines will go a long way to showing your commitment to improving your carbon footprint. The latest to be imposed was the Euro IV engines in 2012, with diesel engines now having a permitted level of NOx emitted of 80mg/km, which is 100 less than their Euro 5 emissions standard. 

Warehouses play a key role in the organisation of any distribution business, so if that’s not in order, who says the rest of the business will be? There is a lot to consider when running a successful company, but an organised, efficient warehouse will always give you a fighting chance.   

But how do you even start to run an effective warehouse?

Step 1. Keep your warehouse clean

Nobody wants to work in a messy environment, so not only will keeping your warehouse clean increase your organisation, employee satisfaction will also sky rocket. Putting aside an hour or two a week can make a big difference, as you never know what missing orders/products you may find. 

Step 2. Reassess your warehouse floor plan

Leading on from step 1, organisation in your warehouse is key. This means that all the employees should know exactly where each product or order is kept at all times. Reassessing your warehouse floor plan can give a fresh feel to the location, as well as reaffirming with employees where everything is kept, allowing them to suggest any changes that would help them become more efficient. When looking at your floor plan, consider the following:

• Using all available space
• Making sure all goods are easily accessible
• Take into account employee comfort
• Consider an efficient workflow, from goods entering the warehouse all the way until they leave
• Ensure the office is easily accessible and in view of all workers 

Step 3. Label everything in your warehouse

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? However, most businesses up and down the country will find that a lot of their warehouse is not labelled correctly, which can cause confusion down the line. In many cases all the labelling was done just after the warehouse was opened but hasn’t been touched since. Refreshing your labelling can help all new starters as well as current staff to keep on top of the goods in the warehouse, making it much easier to go about their work efficiently. 

Step 4. Leave it to the experts

Nidd Transport are able to provide a complete warehousing solution, thanks to the 60,000 sq. ft. of space our purpose-built warehouse provides in Melmerby.  With over 4,000 fully racked pallet spaces, and a computerised stock solution, we can efficiently and effectively look after your individual requirements. To find out more about our warehousing, or to get a free no obligation quote, get in touch.

Nidd Transport Ltd., based near Ripon, North Yorkshire, is a successful and progressive road haulier who operates throughout the UK and Europe.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and experienced Accounts Manager to join our team. Reporting to the Finance Director (FD), the successful candidate will be responsible for managing the day to day operations of the accounts department and assisting the FD with financial reporting, performance analysis, HR, vehicle costing and office support. A thorough knowledge of accounts is essential, as well as experience in using Sage Accounting software and payroll. Candidates should have some previous experience in people management and team leadership. The successful candidate will have the ability to work under pressure whilst achieving strict deadlines in this dynamic and varied role.  

Benefits and Working for Nidd Transport: 

Salary: Competitive renumeration package including bonus and pension schemes

Hours: 40 hrs per week (Monday to Friday) 

Holidays: 24 days + bank holidays per year. 

We believe the successful Accounts Manager should have the following skills:  

• Must be trained to AAT level 4 and studying towards ICA/CIMA or ACCA
• Previous experience in people management and team leadership 
• Good numeracy, literacy and IT skills.
• A flexible approach and ‘can do’ attitude is essential.
• Time management
• Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in order to minimise errors and loss.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and work to tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and team work.
• Use initiative and possess good decision making 

The key tasks for the Accounts Manager role are:

• Manage a team of three to achieve individual and team targets
• Sales Ledger –  overseeing: 
  • Month end invoicing
  • Credit Control 
  • Revaluations 
  • Cash flow forecasts 
  • Payment reconciliations 
• Purchase ledger – overseeing
  • Month end 
  • Approving sub-contractor invoices 
  • Sterling and euro cheque runs 
• Bank reconciliation 
• Petty cash reconciliation 

Individual responsibility

• Nominal Ledger
  • Maintaining fixed asset register 
  • Maintaining vehicle asset purchase 

• Vehicle costing/job costing 
• Assisting with the preparation of monthly management accounts
• VAT Returns 
• EC Sales list submission 
• Payroll including employee contracts and induction paperwork
• Overseas VAT claims 

So, if you feel that you have the necessary skills we are looking for, then please send your CV and covering letter to heather.glegg@nidd-transport.com

Michael Turner is the latest to join the Nidd Transport team, joining us as our new Sales and Commercial Manager. Having worked in the transport industry for 33 years for big names such as Beauvais International and most recently Rhenus, Michael will prove integral to the team. 

From day to day, he will be tasked with maintaining and developing further work from existing Nidd clients, as well as winning new business for the company. This will be achieved through researching, approaching, visiting and working closely with new clients. 

When asked what he most enjoys about the role and what drew him to Nidd, Michael said:

“I enjoy the thrill of the chase, satisfaction when new business is obtained, and the fact that every day has a different challenge. I chose Nidd because personally speaking I have become tired of the ‘big boys’ in this industry and prefer the more focused, professional attitude of Nidd, where quality counts.”

In his spare time, you can find Michael spending time with his 5 grandchildren, as well as listening to his favourite blues music and reading American fiction. 

It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the team, Michael! 

You can view our latest vacancies or express interest through our application form here.

With less than 50 days to go until Brexit, it’s a good idea to get your house in order. Here, we will help you prepare and give you an insight into how we plan on tackling it head on.  

There will be a few changes when it comes to exporting and importing your goods. In terms of exporting from the UK to the EU, the merchandise needs to be declared to the customs authority of the country the goods will leave and the country of destination. When importing, we recommend you signing up for Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP)

We will be contacting customers to ensure they’re aware of what they need to do in order for shipment to be successful. There are a number of requirements, including:

1. Having an EORI number
2. Appointing an agent, such as Nidd Transport, to handle customs declarations on your behalf
3. Confirm the Shipping Terms for your job 
4. Determine the Customs Procedure Code (CPC), relevant to your goods
5. Clarify if your products are controlled goods (e.g. wines and spirits) and are they subject to an Export or Import Licence 
6. Provide a Commercial Invoice for every job – details to be included on this are: 
   1. Your company name and address
   2. EORI numberfor you, the supplier, and your customer
   3. Description of the type of packaging 
   4. Description of product(s) together with Commodity Code(s)
   5. The total gross and nett weights of the shipment
   6. The total sales value of the shipment and currency
   7. A declaration that the goods are of UK manufacture and origin. If the goods are not of UK manufacture or origin then the Country of Origin must be shown
7. If Importing, apply for Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP)

Should you have any questions about Exporting and Importing from the EU post Brexit and how we can help you to prepare, please feel free to contact us

Call us on 01765 641510

Email us at sales@nidd-transport.com