Mainmark makes Multimodal debut amid growing concern over warehouse subsidence risks

Date: May 27, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Ground engineering and void specialist Mainmark UK will make its first appearance at Multimodal 2026 as the business looks to raise awareness of a growing threat facing the logistics and warehousing sector: subsidence.

The flagship supply chain exhibition, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC (30 June to 2 July), coincides with UK Logistics Week and brings together thousands of logistics, transport and warehousing professionals.

Mainmark’s debut comes at an important time with the firm highlighting that subsidence is a growing concern for the long-term resilience of Britain’s logistics infrastructure.

Subsidence is the downward movement of the ground beneath a building, which can cause a structure’s foundations to sink. Subsidence can occur when the original foundations of a building are unsuitable for the ground and soil types. In the UK, one of the primary causes of subsidence is clay soil shrinkage, which occurs when prolonged dry periods remove moisture from the soil, causing it to contract.

This risk is accelerating due to continued climate change, following extreme record-breaking dry summers alongside wet periods, reflecting the continued shift in the UK’s climate pattern. According to the Met Office, changes will continue, and by 2070 we will see winters are up to 30 per cent wetter, summers between 1 and 6°C warmer and 60 per cent drier (depending on the region).

Sinking foundations, un-level concrete floors, roadways and hardstands are all common symptoms of warehouse subsidence. This can result in sloping floors that are challenging for automation equipment, as well as high-level racking and the use of Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) equipment, much of which is reliant on perfectly even floors. VNA equipment requires extremely even, flat floors and even the smallest floor imperfection can be magnified, potentially causing the truck to sway and damage racking.

With a track record of 100 plus projects across the logistics sector, Mainmark understand the challenge of remedial works affecting warehouse operations and prides itself in minimising disruption.  The firm’s non-invasive approach enables structures to be re-levelled quickly and accurately while minimising downtime for logistics operators.

Extreme weather conditions, heavy logistics traffic, and the movement of heavy vehicle loads are contributing factors that can destabilise warehouse infrastructure over time.

David Hedley, Commercial & Infrastructure Lead at Mainmark Ground Engineering UK, said:

“Subsidence in warehouses not only risks the safety of operators, damaging costly equipment, but it can also impact the movement of vehicles in and out of a facility, costing several thousands of pounds in repair and business interruption costs, and potentially disruption to critical supply chains.

“In a worst-case scenario, if left untreated for too long, a warehouse might be rendered unsafe, and operations will have to cease while large-scale construction work takes place to fix the problem.”

With unique, innovative solutions for rectifying warehouse subsidence, Mainmark uses some of the most reliable, practical and least disruptive methods of re-levelling for buildings. The firm can re-level and re-support warehouses of any size, correcting moving and sunken driveways, pavements, floors and machinery bases, and strengthen weak ground.

Established in the UK in 2016, Mainmark Ground Engineering (UK) Ltd is headquartered in Milton Keynes, on the edge of the Golden Logistics Triangle. The company has more than 30 years of experience globally and has continued to expand its UK presence with operational hubs in Hampshire and Greater Manchester, serving customers across England, Scotland and Ireland.

Multimodal 2026 will feature an extensive conference programme with dedicated slots from industry leaders, including Logistics UK, BIFA, UKWA, RFG, CILT, CIoE&IT and RHA, amongst others. The event will showcase the latest innovations, trends and solutions shaping the future of logistics and supply chain management. 

Robert Jervis, Event Director at organiser Clarion Events Ltd, said:

“Multimodal 2026 is set to be another flagship event, and we are delighted to welcome new exhibitors supporting the wider transport and logistics sector to the exhibition. This expansion into broader support services further reinforces the show’s position as the UK and Ireland’s leading supply chain event.”

Mainmark Ground Engineering (UK) Ltd has over three decades of experience and has established itself as a pioneering force in the industry, leading the way in developing and delivering cutting-edge solutions. Mainmark has earned international recognition as an award-winning ground engineering organisation.

Mainmark is exhibiting at Multimodal on stand 3022

Glasgow Prestwick Airport launches scheduled Shanghai cargo service

Date: May 28, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) can confirm a new direct cargo route to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), diversifying its China network and giving Scottish exporters access to one of Asia’s leading freight hubs.

Air China Cargo is switching three of its four weekly B777 Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) services to PVG, opening the new route, while continuing to operate 11 scheduled flights each week to and from PIK.

“Shanghai is a major global cargo hub and an important addition to Prestwick’s scheduled China services,” said Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

“This new route gives cargo customers more choice across mainland China and strengthens our ability to support fast growing e-commerce traffic into the United Kingdom.

“It also opens a valuable new trade lane for Scottish exporters, including producers moving premium seafood and other time sensitive goods into Asia.”

This follows a year of sustained cargo growth at PIK, with 15 weekly scheduled services now operating to and from mainland China and three from Hong Kong.

PIK has celebrated processing more than 25 million e-commerce parcels since May 2025 with Royal Mail and EVRi and recently marked more than one million kilograms of Scottish salmon exported since 1st January 2026.

AF Blakemore & Son increases support for SPAR

Date: May 28, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

AF Blakemore & Son Ltd has agreed to acquire SPAR retail and logistics assets in the Southwest of England from Appleby Westward Group (AWG), seeing the majority of AWGs retail and logistics colleagues join AF Blakemore and marking a significant expansion for the 100-year-old family-owned business.

The move represents a significant operational expansion for AF Blakemore strengthening its presence across the South of England and supporting the development and geographical simplification of the SPAR convenience network.

The agreement will see AF Blakemore acquire 71 company operated stores, as well as supplying over 130 independent SPAR partner stores, and the distribution and logistics operations at Saltash in Plymouth.

Following completion, AF Blakemore will support more than 1,000 SPAR stores, further reinforcing its position as the largest SPAR operator in the UK.

Carol Welch, Chief Executive Officer of AF Blakemore, said:

“This is a significant milestone for AF Blakemore and an important step in our long-term growth strategy.

“Expanding into the Southwest allows us to build the strength of the SPAR brand investing into proposition and value across stores and retail partners supported with an improved supply chain network that delivers scale, service and efficiency.

“Our focus will be on investing in our customer experiences, supporting growth of our new independent retailers, and continuing to invest in and nurture our colleagues and local communities across the region, reinforcing our key values of ‘Striving for Excellence and Building a Better Future’.”

AF Blakemore has continued to invest in the growth and resilience of the SPAR network, with a continued commitment to supporting independent retailers and local communities.

The expansion into the Southwest will increase AF Blakemore’s scale and reach, enabling the business to secure stronger value for customers and retailers while continuing to invest in its supply chain and stores.

Peter Blakemore, Chairman of AF Blakemore & Son Ltd, said:

“As a family business with more than a century of history, we have always believed in long-term investment in the SPAR brand and the independent retailers we serve.

“This expansion into the Southwest reflects that commitment. It strengthens the SPAR network, supports our retail partners, and creates new opportunities for colleagues and communities across the region.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the A F Blakemore team instrumental in enabling this acquisition and extend a warm welcome to our new wider colleagues, retailers and communities.”

Mike Boardman, Managing Director of AWG, said:

“With our owners having decided to seek a new owner for AWG and the SPAR brand in the Southwest of England, we are very pleased with this positive transaction which will strengthen the SPAR brand in the South of England and allows the majority of our stores and colleagues, as well as all retail customer relationships, to transition to AF Blakemore and become part of a highly regarded family business, focused on excellence and inclusivity. We know our retailers and colleagues will continue to thrive under their ownership and this deal creates many new opportunities for the future.”

eFREIGHT Autonomous sets out next steps for UK autonomous HGV rollout

Date: May 28, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

eFREIGHT Autonomous, a consortium of experts in commercial vehicles and automotive technology led by Voltempo, has revealed the findings of a nine-month long study into autonomous heavy goods vehicles, identifying hub-to-hub trunking and intermodal shuttle operations as the most viable starting points for early UK deployment.

The findings were presented at Voltempo’s Autonomous conference in Birmingham on 18 May, which brought together fleet operators, OEMs, government representatives and technology providers to discuss the future of autonomous freight in the UK.

Led by Voltempo alongside Connected Places Catapult and Berkeley Coachworks, the eFREIGHT Autonomous consortium secured funding in 2025 through the UK Government-backed CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies competition delivered by Innovate UK and Zenzic.

Since the project launched last year, the consortium has carried out workshops, seminars and customer visits with operators across the freight sector, while engaging with every major European truck manufacturer, alongside the Department for Transport, the Department for Business and Trade, Transport Scotland, Logistics UK, the RHA and SMMT.

The study concludes that autonomous freight is moving rapidly from pilot projects into early commercial operation internationally, while the UK is approaching a key legislative milestone through implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024.

Michael Boxwell, Corporate Development Officer at Voltempo, said:

“Over the past nine months, we’ve focused on understanding where autonomous freight can deliver genuine operational value for UK fleets and what conditions are needed to make deployment practical.

“What’s become clear is that this is no longer a future concept. The technology, legislation and commercial interest are all moving forward quickly, and with continued grant funding available to support trials, the UK is ideally positioned to take advantage and lead from the front.”

The report identifies two priority use cases for early deployment:

• hub-to-hub motorway trunking between logistics centres; and
• short intermodal shuttle operations linking ports, railheads and distribution hubs

According to the consortium, these operations provide the clearest commercial and operational pathway because routes are predictable, interfaces can be controlled and benefits can be measured around productivity, utilisation, safety and emissions.

As part of the programme, Voltempo and its partners have also been working with government and OEMs on concepts for a new category of autonomous HGV, including lightweight “smart trailer” configurations capable of delivering 15% greater payload while reducing overall vehicle weight by around 10%.

The consortium believes these vehicle concepts could ultimately remove more than 22,000 heavy vehicles from UK roads while reducing fleet operating costs by up to 37%.

Sir Vince Cable, chair of the eFREIGHT Autonomous consortium, said:

“The UK now has a genuine opportunity to help shape the future of autonomous freight rather than simply importing solutions developed elsewhere.

“The next step is to move from feasibility work towards structured real-world deployment trials.”

The consortium expects the next phase of the programme to focus on supporting UK autonomous freight trials from 2027 onwards, while continuing engagement with operators, manufacturers and government.

The full report, Early-stage autonomous vehicle opportunities within UK heavy road freight is available to download at https://cp-catapult.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2026/05/eFreight-Early-Stage-CAV-Opportunities.pdf

Separately, electric truck manufacturer Windrose has formalized its entry strategy into the UK market through two key strategic partnerships. The Chinese-founded OEM is collaborating with HORIBA MIRA to oversee engineering, regulatory validation, and manufacturing development, while partnering with Voltempo to establish a high-power charging infrastructure.

As part of its global expansion, Windrose has designated the UK a high-priority market. Chief Executive Wen Han noted that the decision was driven by economic indicators, specifically highlighting the UK’s position as the world’s sixth-largest economy by GDP.

The collaboration with HORIBA MIRA will focus on achieving UK type approval, vehicle validation, and establishing a localized operational footprint. This foundation is intended to support future local assembly operations, aligning with Windrose’s strategy to move beyond standard vehicle importation and embed itself within the European market.

Simultaneously, Windrose is partnering with UK-based Voltempo to demonstrate megawatt-scale charging capabilities required for long-haul electric freight. Windrose recently deployed a demonstration vehicle to the UK to test performance across emerging high-power charging networks.

Windrose’s broader European strategy focuses on integrated industrial hubs that combine R&D, assembly, charging infrastructure, and aftermarket services into a single footprint—a model currently being deployed in Belgium and France. Through its new partnerships with MIRA and Voltempo, Windrose is successfully transitioning from initial market demonstrations to an established commercial presence in the UK.

Voltempo is exhibiting at Multimodal on stand 4082, whilst Windrose will be showing a new vehicle in conjunction with Swain Group on stand W30

Wynnstay picks Solvares Logistics as transport management digitalisation partner

Date: May 29, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Solvares Logistics has announced that they have been selected by Wynnstay PLC as their transport management digitalisation partner, supporting their wider Strategy Genesis transformation ambitions.

Solvares are now in the process of deploying their opheo route scheduling and control platform into the Wynnstay business with the aim of going live in quarter 3 of 2026. The opheo system is more than just a route scheduling tool, in addition to route scheduling it also applies AI based predictive planning techniques, enabling central transport teams to be kept completely up to date with changes that occur as a result of traffic or other delays.  Not only does the system optimise the transport plan and automate the transport planning process, it also improves visibility enabling transport teams to proactively manage delays, keeping the customer informed at all times.

Solvares Logistic’s opheo system is currently being deployed across Wynnstay’s bulk animal feed business as well as retail store replenishment and deliveries from Wynnstay’s 50+ retail stores to farms. As well as automating a large element of the transport planning process, the system will also improve data interfaces between systems removing a significant amount of manual administration, allowing the transport team to focus on customer service and operational excellence.

Wynnstay’s Head of Supply Chain, David Cole states:

“We chose Solvares Logistics as our digitalisation partner, because of their state-of-the-art application, the user interface and ability of the system to manage all our different requirements, as well as their expertise of transport management software within the animal feed and Agricultural industry.”

Solvares Logistics are a logistics software provider, originating from Germany, with a proven track record in providing award winning transport planning software across multiple industry sectors, including animal feed / agricultural, construction, food and drink, energy and many more. Solvares entered the UK market in 2024 and have been making strides to grow the business across UK, Benelux and France.

Solvares Logistics UK Country Manager, Tim Fawkes stated:

“We are delighted to expand our offering into the UK and work with an industry leading company such as Wynnstay, we are very excited about supporting their digitalisation journey to drive operational excellence into their logistics operation.”

Solvares Logistics is exhibiting at Multimodal on stand 3035

UK-EU fresh food deal is a “common sense” solution set to deliver £5 billion trade boost every year

Date: May 29, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Today’s (28^th May 2026) announcement that the UK and EU intend to scrap trade barriers affecting fresh food movements from mid-2027 has been welcomed by business group Logistics UK. According to Ben Fletcher, the organisation’s Chief Executive, the move has the potential to boost the UK’s economy by £5.1 billion1 annually:

“Our members have invested significant amounts of time and money to smooth the movement of fresh food across the UK’s borders, but trade friction has persisted as a result of the checks introduced after our country’s departure from the EU and so we welcome the negotiation of this agreement by Her Majesty’s Government,” he says. “Any border delays hinder our industry’s ability to keep the UK’s businesses trading with European customers and so today’s announcement is a common-sense solution that acknowledges the challenges that we have faced since Brexit.

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks were introduced as a result of the UK’s deal with the EU to prove exported goods meet EU standards, and then later introduced by the UK on imports from the EU. Under the deal being negotiated, products moved from Great Britain into Northern Ireland would also no longer require additional certification, specialist labelling or routine inspections.

“Our industry’s aim is always to deliver for our customers as swiftly and efficiently as possible. Today’s announcement will increase confidence over the removal of significant hurdles of cost and delays that have hamstrung our industry’s ability to support the UK’s fresh food producers to sell to their European customers, support UK jobs and help to drive growth nationwide. We will now work with the government to ensure that the new regime can be implemented as seamlessly as possible by mid-2027.”

Logistics UK is the headline sponsor of Multimodal 2026 and are also exhibiting on stand 5095

CLdN appoints Cameron Bowie as Chief Operating Officer for CLdN Shipping

Date: May 29, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

CLdN has announced the appointment of Cameron Bowie as the new Chief Operating Officer for CLdN Shipping.

Cameron will join CLdN on 13 July from the global container liner shipping company Hapag-Lloyd where he currently serves as the Managing Director UK & Ireland. Cameron has been with Hapag Lloyd for 36 years and brings a wealth of experience in the maritime transport industry. His expertise and perspectives are particularly relevant for CLdN as we broaden our scope in short-sea container shipping and expand our presence in the UK, Irish and broader European trades.

Gary Walker, the current Chief Operating Officer of CLdN Shipping, will leave CLdN for retirement this summer. Gary has been with CLdN since 1997 and has overseen a significant and successful expansion of our shipping operations during his 12 years leading our shipping activities.

CLdN is exhibiting at Multimodal on stand 7080 and Hapag-Lloyd is exhibiting on stand 6070