2025 is a very special year for Relay Technical Transport, as it is the 50th Anniversary of the foundation of our company. And what extraordinary changes have happened to the transport and logistics industry, and throughout the world in which we operate, since 1975!
On 29th November last year, Logistics UK posted a media release following the resignation of Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, urging the incoming Secretary of State, Heidi Alexander, to seize the opportunity to drive Labour’s growth mission by prioritising logistics and acknowledging its foundational role in the economy.
While so much has changed since Relay was founded 50 years ago, the importance of transport and logistics operations, both nationally and worldwide, remains a constant imperative that cannot be exaggerated.
In this media release, Logistics UK Chief Executive David Wells OBE, stated the case very accurately. “Logistics is fundamental to our economy, our way of life and the nation’s prosperity. Nothing moves without logistics: it supplies our hospitals, schools, factories and shops with everything they need, everywhere, everyday.
“The sector contributes £15 billion to the economy every year and employs 8% of the UK workforce, and research from Oxford Economics shows that by establishing the right partnerships, regulations and investment for logistics, the government can deliver productivity gains that will boost the UK economy by up to £8 billion per year by 2030.”
However, David Wells also adds that: “Congestion and delays, friction at our borders, and a lack of public investment over time is making UK logistics less efficient.”
Looking back
Since 1975, the transport and logistics sector has faced many challenges, including rapid economic globalisation and technological evolution. Additionally, the oil crises of the 1970s placed immense pressure on transportation costs, forcing businesses to re-evaluate fuel efficiency and pricing strategies.
The advent of digital technology from the 1990s onward introduced both new challenges and new opportunities. Logistics firms have needed to adopt complex supply chain management software, integrate data analytics, and increasingly shift to automated warehousing. Relay has always been an early adopter of new technology, both to increase the efficiency of our operations and to ensure the security of the valuable and fragile electronic equipment, both in transit and in storage at our warehousing depots, that we specialise in handling for our customers.
More recently, environmental concerns have emerged as a defining challenge for the sector. The push for sustainability has required companies to address the carbon footprint of transportation modes, invest in greener technologies and comply with stringent emissions regulations.
Over the long term, Logistics UK has highlighted the requirements it believes are demanded from our sector to meet its environmental goals, recommending: “A national logistics transport and energy network and model for urban logistics, backed by reforms to infrastructure planning, local planning and innovation funding to deliver a joined-up 30-year plan, with five-year delivery plans. This must cover the energy infrastructure required for all freight transport modes, as well as fair pricing and taxation to support the delivery of goods in the most productive, strategic and green way.”
With global supply chain disruptions caused by events like the COVID-19 pandemic, the logistics sector has also continued to grapple with numerous and diverse challenges. Nevertheless, the sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability over these recent demanding and difficult times as it has done in the past.
Driving forward
An Expert Blog posted by Fleetpoint.org on 2nd January 2025 opens with the words: “The logistics industry in the UK is poised for significant changes in 2025, driven by evolving market demands, technological advancements, and regulatory updates.”
Following on to 8th January, a Totaljobs.com post stated: “The logistics and transport industry are a vital backbone of the UK economy, facilitating the movement of goods and people while underpinning global trade. In 2025, this sector is experiencing significant growth, offering competitive salaries, diverse career paths, and innovative advancements.”
While there are concerns currently about prospects for growth in the UK economy overall, we believe that, as David Wells of Logistics UK observed: “Logistics is fundamental to our economy, our way of life and the nation’s prosperity."
In this, our 50th Anniversary year, Relay is confident that the transport and logistics sector will continue to meet the challenges placed upon it. Furthermore we, in our specialist area of safely handling high value customer bulky and fragile electronic equipment from multi-functional printers to medical scanners, will continue to offer our customers the highest standards of service in all areas for many years to come!