Category: News

What is it? 

Effective export packaging enables your valuable freight to arrive at the destination intact and undamaged. Export packaging is also often referred to as transport packaging. Transport or export packaging is the outermost layer of packaging and is designed to protect your goods during transit.  

Who will use it? 

It is predominantly used by organisations that are shipping high value, sensitive or delicate machinery or expensive goods that must be kept in perfect condition whilst in transit.  

Why it is crucial to get it right  

There are many factors to consider when thinking about getting your valuable freight to its destination. Goods going to the wrong place or getting lost or damaged in transit can lead to costly replacements and delays.  

An export packer must assess the freight, transport method and routes to ensure that correct materials are selected and design suitable packages. Weight and physical sizes of the freight are a particular consideration – to ensure the packages can go on standard type vehicles or shipping containers.  

Flegg Projects are firm believers in having the right tools for the job – in all areas of the business.

The workshop is an essential part of the business – ensuring all our vehicles are maintained to the highest standards. One of the benefits of having an in-house workshop is that it gives the business flexibility to ensure that we get maximum utilisation from the fleet.

Thanks to Nick and James from the workshop and the team at Milwaukee for choosing Flegg Projects for this feature.

We are excited to announce that we are re-locating to new premises in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire!

Following several years of considerable growth, the move finally realises a long-held desire to re-locate the business to premises that reflect Flegg’s profile, to offer our valued customers a better facility for their valuable freight to be stored and an improved environment for our talented teams to thrive.

The internal gantry cranes are a big bonus as they will reduce the aisle space required for forklift. Heavy lifting capacity (up to 100-tons) is still available from our existing in-house equipment.

In addition to our long-established storage, handling and export packing services, we are looking to develop a number of additional offerings to include bonded storage, cross-docking, and pre-staging facilities. We will also have access to an on-site partner who can provide customs clearance – allowing us to offer a true end-to-end service.

The new warehouse is currently having some light construction work completed which is expected to be completed by 1^st March. We expect to complete the move into both new sites by 31^st March and will keep customers updated on progress so deliveries can be diverted to the correct locations.

Before and during the move it will be business as usual for all at Flegg.

Moving heavy machinery or medical equipment is a logistical challenge that needs to be carefully managed. If you have any concerns about the works you should arrange for an experienced moving contractor to undertake a site survey before you do anything else. This will help to ensure that the site move is correctly assessed and any potential problems are identified.

Here at Flegg, our experienced surveying staff use their previous hands-on knowledge of moving machinery and medical equipment to assess the job and help you make sure that the move is as safe and efficient as it can possibly be. Flegg can also assist with transport and installation of equipment and even provide a full factory relocation or medical relocation service.

Here are some of the key benefits of conducting a survey before moving heavy machinery or medical equipment.

Planning

Before moving any sensitive equipment, it is vital to have a clear plan in place. During the survey, we will provide in-depth advice on all preparations that need to be made before machinery is moved. This prevents damage to fragile medical equipment and reduces safety issues associated with heavy duty machinery during the moving process. At this point, we can also provide a clear and realistic timetable for the move so you can plan accordingly. A wealth of information will be collected about all equipment, so we can formulate RAMS and give a thorough assessment of each piece of equipment before it is moved.

Managing Costs

Managing costs is important for businesses when moving vital machinery or expensive medical equipment, whether they are moving to a location on the same site or opening a completely new site. In order to manage your finances properly, you need accurate, cost effective quotes for the move before you get started. A survey can provide exactly that, so you have a clear breakdown of the cost and we will work to find ways to save you money wherever we can.

If you are planning a factory move or transport sensitive medical equipment, it’s vital that you have a machinery moving site survey carried out beforehand. This will ensure that your move is properly planned, the safety issues are managed, and the costs are calculated accurately.

Here at Flegg, our expert team has a wealth of hands-on experience with moving heavy machinery and medical equipment so we can carry out your survey and assist with the move itself, making the whole process as easy as possible for you.

Find out more by calling 0845 458 4958 or emailing info@fleggprojects.co.uk. Alternatively, you can reach us on our contact page and we will get back to you soon.

There are plenty of different situations that may require heavy machinery to be moved. No matter what business sector you operate in, you may have large machinery that is critical to your daily operations. If you need to move heavy machinery, it is imperative that it is done in a safe and effective manner. But how can you make sure that this is the case? Read on to discover our tips on moving heavy machinery.

Always plan ahead

There is only one place to begin, and this is with planning. You can’t simply dive right in an attempt to move the machinery. You need to have a detailed yet clear plan in place for the moving process. A written proposal is a must. The most critical thing here is to make sure that the name and the duties of every person involved in the moving process are identified. Moving large machinery is a multi-step process, so each part of the process needs to be outlined and everyone involved needs to have a clear and full understanding of their role.

Consult with the person who will be operating the machine

You need to make sure that the machine is going to be effective in its new home. Make sure you measure the machine not only in terms of its actual dimensions but with regards to how much space is going to be needed for the machine to operate successfully. People will need to move around the machine, after all, and this needs to be accounted for to make sure that the move is a success. There is no point in fitting a machine nicely into the corner if there is no space for the person who is going to be operating it. The best thing to do here, therefore, is to speak with the machine operator. After all, he or she knows better than anyone what sort of space they require to be able to carry out the task effectively. Also, make reference to ensuring there is space around the machine to carry out routine maintenance or repairs in event of a breakdown.

Be sure to clear the way when moving heavy machinery and equipment

Last but not least, you need to get rid of any obstacles prior to the move. This may sound like an obvious piece of advice, but you would be shocked by how many people attempt to move equipment without clearing the pathway. You need to ensure your workflow is reorganised and that you have a clear path between both locations before you start attempting to move the heavy equipment. The people moving the equipment must be totally focused on that; not attempting to dodge any hurdles or obstacles along the way – that would be a recipe for disaster!

The machinery that you use often accounts for some of your business’s most valuable assets. When you need to move it from one site to another or even within the same factory, it can be a significant undertaking. If you’re looking to save money, you might consider carrying out the job yourself or using a more generic moving service to help you. However, moving machinery should be undertaken by professional machinery movers, who have experience moving heavy machinery. Working with professional machine movers delivers a number of excellent benefits ensuring the move is as smooth as possible and limiting any damage to your expensive machine.

At Flegg, we can assist with a range of services, including delivery and installation of machinery for any factory move or medical relocation.

Experienced staff

Having operators to use the essential equipment is a must. Lifting equipment in the wrong hands can be very dangerous and lead to expensive problems and delays.

Save Money

Using machine moving experts to move your machinery can be a smart financial move too. You might think that you could save money by using your own equipment or your own staff, but this could turn out to be more costly than you had planned. If anything goes wrong, you could be left paying for the cleanup, whether there’s an injury or damage to your equipment. Additionally, it’s important to have adequate levels of insurance in place to cover the activities required to handle your machinery. When you use a machinery moving service, you should expect your contractor to have the right amount of public and employers liability insurance and any other cover that you need to protect your equipment and your company in the event of something going wrong.

At Flegg, we’re experts in moving heavy machinery and can help you with all of your machinery moving needs. Our range of services is designed to make moving heavy machinery a more straightforward task to tackle. We combine the best equipment and trained, experienced staff, to provide the best machinery moving services available. Contact us by calling 0845 458 4958 or emailing info@fleggprojects.co.uk to find out more. You can also request a call back on our contact page, and we’ll be in touch with you soon.

The government has announced that the rules for importing and exporting goods from the EU will change from 1 January 2021. Hauliers will have to observe a system more akin to current arrangements with Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland. And they will no longer benefit from speedy customs privileges that currently apply to trade with the 27 member states.

The impact of Brexit on transport is, therefore, expected to be moderate, but it all depends on the type of deal that the Johnson cabinet signs. A soft exit might include provisions that make it easier for British hauliers to navigate customs once they cross the channel. A hard Brexit might lead to delays on the roads to Folkestone and Dover.

Transition Period Delays

At Flegg, we divide the impact of Brexit on transport into two periods: transition and “post-Brexit.”

The transition period will likely be a legal construction of some type, allowing companies to follow intermediate or watered-down rules so that they can prepare for real regime change after six to eighteen months.

Depending on the deal that the UK strikes with the EU, hauliers may not see significant changes in how they must operate. The finalised deal may ask for minor administrative alterations, but substantive differences may be lacking.

In the immediate transition period before full-scale tariffs come into force, we may see an influx of imports into the UK as companies and customers take advantage of any remaining duty-free period. This increase in demand could lead to an even greater trade imbalance skewed in favour of imports and put pressure on existing haulage resources, pushing up prices.

Already, we’ve seen several instances of gazumping in the industry. Lack of trailers and vehicles is leading some haulage operators to take advantage of their clients and bid up their prices so that the highest bidder gets service first.

There are also issues with sea freight. Clients are experiencing delays at major ports around the UK, due to the trade changes brought in by the government in 2020. Bad weather and COVID-19 are compounding the issue. There are delays of three to four days on the roads, and one to two weeks for sea freight.

Documentation is not leading to significant backlogs, at the moment. The overriding issues right now are the sheer volume of sea and road freight, the ongoing pandemic situation, and some instances of poor weather around the British Isles. However, we expect that will change as the transition period comes to an end.

At Flegg, we understand these issues are affecting businesses directly. Thus, we are currently working to ensure that clients can continue import and export goods into and out of the UK as routinely as possible. We have a large fleet of vehicles and drivers who will operate throughout the transition period, continuing to deliver clients bespoke and flexible solutions, based on our tried-and-tested “can-do” attitude.

Post-Brexit Delays

The type of delays we see once Brexit hits will depend on the type of deal thrashed out by the government. It still isn’t clear what form this will take or whether we will get a “hard Brexit” or not.

Michael Gove, the government minister overseeing hard Brexit preparations has indicated that heavy-goods vehicle drivers will need a permit to enter Kent once the transition period comes to an end. The purpose of the new tool is to prevent the queuing often seen along major routes in the southeast of the country. It could help avoid more than 7,000 lorries stacking along the M20 trying to reach the Channel ports.

A hard Brexit would have several implications for the haulage industry. The UK’s tariff-free status would come to an end with the existing 27 member states. If that happened, international trade volumes would likely fall as prices compel consumers to shift their consumption to domestic goods.

We would also likely see the return of customs declarations. The UK would essentially have a trading relationship with the EU, similar to the one that the US has. Rules allow the exchange of goods between the two trading blocs, but duties and paperwork apply.

Hauliers may also have to deal with the re-introduction of standards that preceded the joining of the EU. Examples include Animal Health Certificates and Phytosanitary Certificates.

When you factor in all of these issues, it could lead to more significant delays getting goods through the ports and into their target markets. However, the long-run dynamics are difficult to judge. Under a hard Brexit scenario, declining demand for freight services could combine with increasing delays because of higher final consumer prices and repurposing of resources for the domestic market.

The scenario that will likely lead to the most significant delays will be one in which the EU decides not to levy tariffs, but instead creates non-tariff barriers on UK goods. In that case, we will have both port delays and heavy demand for haulage and shipping from consumers.

Flegg is already working to minimise port delays. As a company, we have already completed many of the actions required by the government (such as acquiring a Standard International Operator License for journeys to, from and through EU member states). And we will continue to adapt as new rules become available.

Flegg is also investing heavily in short and long-term storage services for clients as a risk-mitigation strategy. The purpose of these facilities is to provide holding stock or temporary “in-transit” solutions to smooth haulage processes.

Our goal throughout all of this is to ensure that clients don’t have to spend vast amounts of money paying for freight services caught in customs and at the ports. Flegg has a “can-do” attitude, meaning that we will continue to provide clients with realistic timeframes for freight arrival. If shipping is not possible because of capacity constraints, we can offer lower-cost storage services as an interim measure, to keep the total cost of shipping down. We believe that it is better to be open and honest about what we can do, instead of over-promising and under-delivering.

How Will Freight Costs Change In The Post-Brexit Era?

We do not yet know precisely how freight costs will change in the post-Brexit era – that’s primarily a political decision. However, we can speculate on the sources of increased costs.

• Tariffs: Clients importing from or exporting to EU member states may have to pay tariffs that did not apply before Brexit. The government currently has a checklist page that allows businesses to see what their liabilities are likely to be following 1 January 2021 for importers. Exporters, however, will need to wait for more information to come forth following an agreement with the EU.
• License, certificate, marking, labelling and marketing costs: The EU currently standardises the licensing, certification, marking, marketing and labelling of most goods passing between UK ports and the rest of the continent. However, the rules may change following Brexit, creating additional administrative burdens.
• Freight delays costs: Freight delay costs at the border may increase haulage costs across the board. Clients wanting to import from the EU may discover that freight fees have gone up.

At Flegg, our goal is to ensure that clients only pay necessary costs. Ideally, any administrative changes should be manageable in such a way that keeps costs down. The cost of tariffs, licensing, and certification is legally imposed and unlikely to change until the government thrashes out a better deal with EU members. But avoidable situational issues, such as delays, are something you can modify by choosing a reliable partner like Flegg. To find out more about how Flegg is dealing with Brexit, visit this blog post.

In light of these changes, we recommend that all companies who currently import or export to the EU seek advice as soon as possible so that we can put additional requirements in place. Speaking with a contractor early is the best way to mitigate the impact of Brexit on transport and ensure that freight can move without delays.

Working With A Freight Partner

We foresee several likely effects of Brexit on the transport of foreign goods:

• An increase in the time goods must spend in port
• Delays for both shipping and road freight in the transition period
• A reduction in demand for freight services to the EU and an increase with the rest of the world under a “hard Brexit” scenario
• Increased demand for short- and long-term storage services

In light of this, we recommend that any company considering importing or exporting goods to and from the UK work with an experienced partner. Get in touch by calling us on 0845 458 4958 or use the contact form to make an enquiry. Get the help you need to avoid delays and minimise cost increases.

Almost everyone in the logistics industry knows that things are about to change. While transportation will be impacted when it comes to everything from supplies and smaller items, Brexit shipping will also impact heavy machinery coming into and going out of the UK.

Now, the government just has a short time left to negotiate any agreements and set permanent standards for the future of the logistics industry. Unfortunately, it appears those decisions will be made at the last minute, leaving many businesses who depend on the industry scratching their heads and trying to figure out the best ways to keep moving forward.

So, what can we expect?

It depends on the type of business you have and what your heavy machinery shipping needs are. Let’s break it down a bit futher.

Changes to Health & Safety Regulations

Many people are wondering about changes to health and safety regulations as they relate to Brexit. These concerns have become especially important in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of now, we don’t expect any major changes as the health and safety regulations already put in place by the UK hold companies in all industries to very strict standards.

Any changes that do occur aren’t likely to have a huge impact on shipping heavy machinery. But, negotiations may continue as COVID-19 has seen some resurgence in certain areas. Long-term solutions to keep workers in these industries safe may end up being in the spotlight more than what was first anticipated. We plan on keeping all of our clients well-informed of any changes to health and safety regulations while holding ourselves to the highest standards, as well.

There have been discussions in the works for months now when it comes to how Brexit will impact the logistics industry. The opinions, so far, have been mixed. Some people think the outcome will be bleak, while others tend to believe that things won’t change much, since freight will still have to enter and leave the UK one way or another.

If those negotiations continue to swing a certain way, one thing can be certain; prices will rise within the logistics industry as tariffs will be applied to consumables and machinery being delivered to the UK.

It can all be a bit overwhelming and confusing, and truly frustrating part is that there are no concrete answers as of yet. So, what will the biggest challenges in the industry be in a logistics Brexit world?

What Challenges Will Brexit Cause the Logistics Industry?

Though we don’t know everything, there are a few expectations when it comes to challenges when it comes to logistics and Brexit that need to be addressed.

First, we need to think about where the UK’s exports are going. Many go to the EU. After Brexit, those exports will go down significantly, which could have a negative impact on trade and a huge decline on demand. Needless to say, it could affect us right away. There won’t be as much demand for road hauling, which can lead to everything from job loss to businesses struggling to stay afloat.

Of course, that isn’t meant to scare anyone. The rate of export may remain unchanged, but companies will need to figure out practical solutions for hauling, depending on what rules are put in place.

What is Flegg Doing?

It has been our consistent goal to make sure that our vehicles and staff can keep working outside of the UK, and we’re confident we will be successful. In fact, we already have several projects lined up outside of the UK for 2021. With that in mind, we plan to consult with clients to talk about the impact of any deals that have been created in the process.

We want to remain as transparent as possible during this time and throughout the transition process. So, we can tell you with confidence that we are not planning to increase our costs for any works within the UK. But, works completed outside the UK are could increase, simply due to more overhead cost. To find out more, read about how Flegg is dealing with Brexit.

Flegg will continue to do what we do best; listen, create, and deliver solutions. While we will be the first to admit that coming up with effective solutions due to Brexit hasn’t been easy, we haven’t changed our goal of providing superior service and coming up with innovative ways to do just that. We are still waiting to see what officially leaving the EU will look like, and what the details of these deals will be. But, we want to be able to provide our customers with confidence that even though logistics may change due to Brexit, we will make the necessary adjustments to keep things running as smoothly as possible.

If you have more questions about logistics and Brexit, call us on 0845 458 4958 or use the contact form for more information.

Unfortunately, there are still plenty of unknowns when it comes to exactly how Brexit will affect the shipping industry, especially how ports will be affected. But, the big question most shippers are wondering is if port delays and Brexit will go hand-in-hand.

Let’s talk a bit more about what you can expect when it comes to port delays from Brexit. We understand this feels like an uncertain time, and while we may not have every answer, we can try to ease your worries about what you can expect.

What Delays Can You Expect?

Recently, there has been a huge influx of freight into the UK due to the impending Brexit in January 2021. That includes equipment needed to manage the COVID-19 virus. The delays you can expect are different for road freight and sea freight.

For road freight, expect transportation costs to go up. There is currently a shortage of trailers because of the influx of freight entering the UK. So, haulage firms are trying to take full advantage of the “demand” by raising their prices. That, unfortunately, can cause delays until finances are taken care of.

Sea-freighters can expect pretty major issues with delays as well, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Post-Brexit, there are still so many unknowns when it comes to what the procedures will be to enter into the UK. That includes bringing in freight.

What is Flegg Doing to Minimise Port Delays?

At Flegg, we are urging all of our clients to complete every required procedure as soon as possible to avoid delays. But, we’re taking things a step further by working with our vast network of haulers and forwarders with years of industry knowledge. We’re making sure we are completing every action necessary to operate hauling vehicles outside of the UK.

With delays happening in ports all over the UK, Flegg is trying to stay on top of what comes next, even though it’s a difficult thing to predict. That includes having a concrete idea of accounting for the cost of importing and exporting from the EU, as well as whether customers will need to pay duty on entry. While it’s frustrating not to have answers already, it depends on the Brexit deal details.

One of the only things we can tell our clients for sure is that we have seen many businesses importing stock prior to the deadline. Other than that, we haven’t been able to get much information yet as to what the Brexit deal will look like. But, our drivers will continue to operate outside of the UK and offer the same bespoke solutions we always have. We have prided ourselves for years on our ability to adapt and have a “can do” attitude. Port delays due to Brexit won’t change that.

How Will Brexit Change Things?

Everyone has their own opinion about Brexit. But, without getting into the political side of things, we can say that the one thing industry leaders agree on is an increase in costs when it comes to freight, including machine transport.

At Flegg, we have (and will continue) to do all we can to be as transparent as possible with our customers, and make and we’re excited to already have a few projects in the works outside of the UK for 2021. As of now, we don’t expect to increase our prices, but that, too, is something that depends on any changes in overhead costs due to Brexit. Find out more about how Flegg is dealing with Brexit.

Though it might seem like things are up in the air right now, we will continue to listen, create, and deliver solutions to all of our clients. If you have more questions or want to know more about what we can do for you, call us on 0845 458 4958 or use the contact form for more information.