Transport and Logistics

Portfolio Director
T: +44 (0) 20 7370 8367
E: andy.baxter@clarionevents.com

The UK logistics market makes up 10 per cent of GDP, in 2006 the equivalent to £132bn. Logistics operators are among the UK's leading businesses. Fourteen per cent of Britain's most successful companies (listed in the FTSE 250) are directly involved in transport and logistics.

The freight industry is also a significant employer, whether directly or indirectly. Railways directly employ 42,000 people in the UK, ports/shipping directly employs 24,000, 521,000 are employed as LGV and van drivers and 71,000 are employed in the management and administration of transport operations. A further 649,000 are involved in other transport related roles (Spring 2005 Labour Force Survey, ONS).

As the UK's economy grows and attracts more international trade, ports have seen a growth in freight flows. This is demonstrated by the growth in volumes of goods and containerised traffic moving through the ports. In terms of million tonnes of freight, imports have increased 21 per cent over the last decade and exports by 10.4 per cent.  2.37 million tonnes of freight were loaded and unloaded at UK airports in 2006. This compares to 1.59 million in 1994, an increase of 50 per cent.

There are many transport events globally, but there has been no event in the UK for the generic freight transport & logistics industry until Multimodal was launched in April 2008. The event has grown year on year and will be held in Hall 4 at the NEC Birmingham between 27th and 29th April. Multimodal 2010 will host both an exhibition and a series of 'free to attend' seminars.  The shows is designed to focus the attention of both transport service providers across all modes, as well as the users of such services, on the crucial issues facing the industry in the UK today. Moreover, Multimodal 2010 will be a prime sales showcase that has been missing from the UK freight and logistics scene.

Multimodal 2010 will give those in the UK freight transport sector a much needed chance to promote their services and products.  In addition, the show will provide a forum for discussing the major issues such as infrastructure congestion, environmental sustainability, multiple demands on dwindling land resources and increasing security constraints.