The UK's logistics industry has a key role to play in delivering a cleaner, safer environment for all, according to the body which represents the sector. Speaking at the Freight Transport Association's (FTA) inaugural Future Logistics Conference & Expo today (14 November 2018) at the Warwickshire Event Centre, FTA Chief Executive David Wells set out his framework for the future of logistics, including the achievable aim of zero atmospheric emissions and near zero deaths and injuries from freight movements by 2050.
Sponsored by the Transport Exchange Group, Tevva and Bott, the one-day conference and expo brought together the brightest minds in the logistics sector to debate the factors that will shape the industry in the coming years. It also provided a showcase of the very latest emerging technologies in the freight industry, which are set to be introduced across all transport modes. With more than 20 leading speakers taking part - including experts from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and the Transport Research Laboratory - the conference explored three main themes: managing people in a connected world; developing strategies to optimise operations; and tools, technologies and the future of transport.
David Wells
, Chief Executive of FTA, which has more than 17,000 members nationwide, commented:
"From self-driving vehicles to artificial intelligence, the world around us is changing fast and the logistics sector is embracing new technologies and solutions quickly. As the only event of its kind, Future Logistics Conference & Expo armed companies with the toolkit required to embrace our brave new world; empowering them to reap the opportunities on offer but also protect against the challenges ahead, including Brexit and worsening skills shortages.
"FTA has already established a framework to propel the logistics sector into a bright and innovative future, defined by technological progress, safety, compliance and employee welfare. With the support of government, businesses and the wider logistics community, we aim to create an industry that has the systems in place to constantly adapt to meet the ever-evolving needs of consumers; future tools are utilised to unlock every possible inch of efficiency; talented and skilled workers are attracted to join the sector; and we achieve zero atmospheric emissions and near zero deaths and injuries from freight movements. And we aim to do this all by 5050."
The event was also supported by Multimodal 2019 and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. speakers at Future Logistics Conference & Expo included:
Iain Forbes, Head of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Department for Transport
Gordon Telling, Head of ULEV and Energy, Transport Research Laboratory
Justin Laney, General Manager of Fleet, John Lewis Partnership
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Efficient logistics is vital to keep Britain trading, directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. A champion and challenger, FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers.