The Temperature Controlled Storage & Distribution (TCS&D) Awards brought together key players in the industry and celebrated a decade of recognising outstanding achievements in temperature-controlled logistics.

This Award is not only a recognition of past accomplishments but also a challenge for Culina Group to maintain exceptional standards and continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the refrigerated transport sector.

Winning the ‘Refrigerated Transport Operator of the Year’ Award for the third year in a row is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every member of the Culina Group team.

The business is honoured to once again receive this recognition from peers in the industry.

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, in collaboration with its logistics partners, is taking bold action to achieve a fully biofueled European season, following a successful trial in 2022 that demonstrated an impressive 89% reduction in CO2 freight emissions.

Eventor is playing a crucial role in supporting this innovative project, leveraging its expertise in logistics and event support to contribute to the seamless implementation of biofuel solutions.

As part of this endeavor, Eventor is working closely with the team’s fleet of Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks, responsible for transporting all race-related freight. These trucks will be fuelled with HVO100, a second-generation biofuel, as they cover approximately 9,000 to 10,000 kilometers per race.

By fully powering these journeys with HVO100, the team aims to achieve an outstanding 89% reduction in emissions per kilometer travelled. An Eventor HVO100 fuel tanker will be in present at each race meeting in the F1 calendar, and paddock generators will also be fuelled with HVO100 by Eventor.

As a proud logistics and event support provider to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, Eventor is honoured to contribute to this significant initiative, which aligns with its own mission of championing sustainability and innovation.

Special congratulations go to two of our Stobart drivers who successfully claimed Awards.

Stobart Driver, Simon Poll from Leicestershire, won the Award for Driver Hero of the Year, following a fatal road traffic collision, where Simon displayed not only quick thinking but exceptional bravery, which lead to him receiving a commendation from Leicestershire Police.

Stobart Driver, Ian Simpson from Cumbria, won the Short Distance Award, based on his driving performance recorded through Microlise.

This shortlisting followed a review of over 220,000 drivers’ performance data from across the UK.

The Microlise Awards each year recognise the UK’s most talented HGV drivers, acknowledge the vital work they do, and the professionalism with which they carry out their work.

The Microlise Awards were developed in cooperation with the vital support of The University of Nottingham, with a team at the Advanced Data Analytics Centre providing impartial analysis of telematics data.

International Road Ferry is a major player in the transport market with offices in Rotterdam, Grubbenvorst (Venlo), Felixstowe and Thetford and specialises in unaccompanied transport between Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland both full loads and part loads.

The business has over 25 years of experience in the unaccompanied transport to and from these markets and their knowledge, local offices and short communication lines guarantee first class and reliable customer service.

Culina Group has significantly strengthened its position in the European Logistics Sector with this acquisition.

International Road Ferry will benefit from Group ownership which will provide investment and job retention whilst bringing an entrepreneurial spirit.

“International Road Ferry and Culina Group are complementary businesses, both are strong organisations with well-earned reputations in the industry and hold similar values. This is a great fit which is going to be beneficial for both our staff and for our clients, whilst making Culina Group a key player in European transport”, said Thomas van Mourik, Culina Group CEO,

“It goes without saying that we are acquiring some excellent people, contracts and facilities. This move significantly expands our European network and will enable us to benefit from synergies and efficiencies that will improve our service offer to customers even further.”

Going forward it will be business as usual for International Road Ferry which will sit within Culina Group’s Stobart Intermodal operation headed up by Arthur Koutstaal as Managing Director.

Raff Hustinx, Stobart Europe Managing Director, will be assisting with finance and reporting.

“Culina Group recognises that it is investing in a highly successful business with its own great spirit. Our aim is to now support our growth trajectory with the added infrastructure and resources of the overall Culina Group. The combining of our two businesses will create major opportunities for significantly growing market share.” said Antoine Ligtvoet, CEO, International Road Ferry.

The primary aim for Culina Group is to ensure that all current and prospective customers continue to benefit from market-leading levels of service.

What you need to know for on the day:

• Location: Warrington Wolves. The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Mike Gregory Way, Warrington, WA2 7NE
• Parking: Tesco Warrington, Winwick Road, Warrington, WA2 7NE. Sign in at the stadium with your vehicle registration; this will allow you to park at Tesco free of charge
• Onsite: Special Operations, Culina & Stobart Trucks & Trailers, Formula one cars, free food & drink as well as restroom facilities will be available on-site.

To register please contact liam.melville@logisticspeople.co.uk

Alternatively click this link to apply for roles – http://ow.ly/V9rn50Mei9L

“A Doctor from The NHS Blood and Transplant Service (NHSBT) contacted me as a survivor. The Doctor explained that people like me who have fully recovered from COVID-19 potentially have antibodies in their blood which can fight the virus. This could help patients currently ill with the virus.” Said Andy, who works at Culina Group as Head of Organisational Design,

“Originally they asked me to donate blood, at the NHS Blood and Transplant Service in Leicester. It was all very new to them as I was the first COVID-19 patient they had. Doctors then contacted me again just over a week later and asked if I would like to voluntarily donate convalescent plasma. I would be the first patient to do this at the Birmingham NHSBT facility according to the Blood Trust.”

“For me it is such a privilege to donate plasma which will be used to support others. I am just thankful that I am able to give something back to the NHS as a thank you for the care and support I received during my own unpleasant experience with what is now a global pandemic.”

The NHS Blood and Transplant Service Clinical trial has now been approved to help the NHS treat COVID-19 patients using plasma. The  trials will investigate whether convalescent plasma transfusions could improve a COVID-19 patient’s speed of recovery and chances of survival. If effective, a national programme will deliver up to 10,000 units of plasma a week to the NHS to help treat coronavirus (COVID-19) patients.

Richard Berry, Culina Group HR Director added “This is a fantastic and positive story at a time when they are much needed. All of us at Culina Group are happy that Andy is well and we are very proud that he is contributing to the valuable research being carried out by the NHS Blood and Transplant Service. Andy is looking to go back in 2 weeks to donate again.”

“As a business we are doing everything in our power to ensure that our key workers are fully protected during this crisis. Culina Group provides logistics services to food and drink manufacturers and we are a crucial part of the supply chain when getting products on to the retailer’s shelves at this difficult time.”

The NHS Blood and Transplant Service contacted Andy directly to thank him for becoming a blood donor and donating convalescent plasma to help with the fight against COVID-19.

A COVID-19 good news story for once and one that hopefully is a part of our journey back to our new normality.