The Big Interview: Dave Higgs of Blakemore Logistics
How do you feel the Blakemore Logistics business aligns to the Gray & Adams business?
How long has Blakemore Logistics been working with Gray & Adams?
We are both family run businesses and that is something that really contributes to the culture we work in. Blakemore’s success has been built upon a distinct ethos, focused on positive and friendly relations with staff, customers and the communities it serves. Gray and Adams is very similar in this regard.
I’ve been with Blakemore Logistics for 12 years and the relationship was well established before I began working here. The relationship has been going strong for over 20 years and it’s as good now as it’s ever been.
What services do Blakemore Logistics provide and in which sectors?
We have something which we call ‘The Blakemore Way’ - it helps us to define our culture. It underpins our approach to business and puts into words what the company stands for. When we work with Gray & Adams, it’s clear that we stand for similar things and work in a similar way - with honesty, integrity and people at the core of our business offering. That really comes through in our relationships and interactions with the Gray & Adams team.
A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd began life in 1917 as a counter-service grocery store and has grown into a company that now employs more than 7,300 people with a turnover of circa £1.1 billion. Food and drink have always been a huge part of the business and the group now includes retail, wholesale distribution, food service, logistics and shop fitting divisions. We’re also the largest division of SPAR UK.
What challenges do you see the industry facing at the moment?
What have been the impacts of Covid-19 for Blakemore Logistics?
The biggest challenge at the moment are the changes to legislation which direct the industry to move away from diesel by 2040. Every five to ten years or so in my career, I have witnessed our industry adapt to big changes like this. Whatever challenges have come, we’ve found a way to keep delivering. From the London restrictions and Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) to fleet compliance. It’s challenging but we’ll get through it.
Blakemore Logistics has had some good and some challenging outcomes throughout the year. For SPAR, given the nature of its traditional position as the local shop, the effects of Covid-19 and the shift in public shopping habits to be focused more locally, has been really good for sales. Conversely, our Food Service division has found it difficult. From pub and school closures hugely affecting our distribution to the associated challenges of having teams on furlough. It began to recover in August and we brought our staff and drivers back from furlough, but we have seen a slow down again in October and November, which is what we are dealing with in that side of our business at the moment. In Logistics, we’ve been really lucky and didn’t have to furlough anyone. So, it’s fair to say that Covid-19 is still having an ongoing impact for us, as it is with many, many other businesses in our industry and beyond.
My biggest fear is the skills gap in our industry and how we can ensure we get the right talent coming through the ranks. It’s getting harder and harder to attract young people into the industry. For some reason, it’s not as appealing as it should be. For me, it’s different. I got into the transport industry in 1989 - when I left school. I started on the shop floor and went from the transport office to loading vehicles, working my way up. I’ve seen a lot of change in the way that we operate now, compared to 30 years ago. What I know for certain is, we’ll find a solution as an industry. We always do.
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