Howard Tenens goes for strategic growth

By Chris Tindall

Howard Tenens Logistics has said it is investing in its senior leadership team after MD Karl Hodgkinson left his role to become the company’s new group development and innovation director.

The firm said that given the current economic environment, clients required it to focus on efficiency, innovation and support more than ever.

It added that Hodgkinson’s new role “will be accountable for new business and marketing with an increased focus on operational technology and efficiency, bringing that benefit into the organisation and enabling Howard Tenens Logistics to grow sustainably”.

Hodgkinson had been MD at

In a news story printed in the last edition of Motor Transport (26 June 2023), we suggested that Howard Tenens had been forced to close its subsidiary –Howard Tenens (West London) – due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are happy to make clear that, as stated in the company’s 2021 accounts, Howard Tenens Logistics acquired the net assets of its subsidiary – Howard Tenens (West London) – on 30 September 2021. Trade has since continued from the same site but

Howard Tenens since 2019 and initially started at the logistics company as group commercial director.

The company added that no-one would be replacing him as MD and Jamie Hartles continued to lead the board as chief executive.

In addition, Nigel Bayliss becomes site operations consultant: “Nigel has huge experience in delivering both large scale projects and developing operational prowess, having worked for numerous 3PLs and in-house operations,” it said.

Most operators have no plans to decarbonise their fleets over the next three years and half of those surveyed don’t expect this to change after 2026, according to a new study.

Asset Alliance Group’s state of the sector report, produced in association with Motor Transport and Commercial Motor and distributed free with this issue, also found battery electric vehicles are currently being run by just 6% of respondents, 7% are relying on gas vehicles, 3% on hybrids and 7% are using biofuels.

However, more than 50% of operators predict their business will perform the same or better in 2023 than 2022.

under the banner of Howard Tenens Logistics. Howard Tenens then struck off the now shell entity of Howard Tenens (West London) at Companies House as a logical next step. This was effected in 2022, simply as an administration exercise. MT would therefore like to withdraw any suggestion that Howard Tenens closed the subsidiary and can confirm that profitability for the business has increased year on year following the acquisition of the trade from the subsidiary.

“High fuel and energy costs and ongoing supply issues mean we must all think carefully about efficiency and cost control, while keeping one eye on what lies ahead,” explained Asset Alliance chief executive Willie Paterson.

“But the road transport sector remains resilient and in good health.”

FASTER FASHION: GXO has expanded its partnership with Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F Co), managing the fashion retailer’s UK e-commerce fulfillment and returns from its dedicated, newly refurbished 170,000sq ft facility near London. The expansion follows the success of GXO’s partnership with A&F Co in the US, where the company operates a high-tech distribution centre featuring advanced automation and goods-to-person robotics, intelligent analytics and AI. By moving services to the UK, GXO said A&F Co will expand its e-commerce offering, increase service flexibility and reduce inventory concentration, by placing it at one location. GXO currently employs a team of 60 at the site, who provide picking, packing and sortation services, with plans to more than quadruple that number. In addition, GXO will process returns within 48 hours of receipt, speeding up the availability of goods for resale while reducing waste. GXO also plans to increase automation and adaptive technology to improve efficiency and quality.