UK warehouse space at a premium as availability shrinks ahead of Brexit
75% of UK warehouse owners have run out of space and storage costs have gone up by a quarter as wholesalers and distributors prepare for Brexit, according to a report in The Guardian. Quoting figures from the UKWA (UK Warehousing Association), there is a particular shortage of space close to major cities. UKWA members number 750, […]
Hexstone puts contingencies in place ahead of Brexit
One of the UK’s largest suppliers of fasteners and fixings, Hexstone, has put over £3 million extra stocks in place as a contingency for Brexit difficulties in the supply chain. As part of its plans to overcome potential disruption, the company is also in the process of becoming an HMRC Authorised Economic Operator to grant […]
Cross-border standards and tariffs seen as biggest threats to manufacturer supply chains
More than a third (39%) of manufacturers feel that cross-border standards and tariffs are the main regulatory threats to a supply chain, according to a new study conducted by enterprise business solutions provider HSO. Industry-specific regulations were revealed to be a close second with 38%, while 36% of manufacturers consider environmental and green regulations to […]
INTERVIEW: Hexstone on increased capacity, brand power, lead times & supporting trade counters
We grill Hexstone CEO Ian Doherty, the head of the UK and Ireland’s largest fastener wholesaler, on a wide ranging list of subjects including lead times, supporting trade counters and brand power to Brexit, reliability, people power and his ambitions for the business… How’s business for Hexstone in 2018 so far? We’ve had a very good start to the […]
UK automotive industry urges rethink on Brexit ‘red lines’ following latest industry numbers
The UK government has come under further pressure on its post-Brexit plans, this time from the automotive industry. Last week the aerospace sector spoke up as Airbus warned on the disruption it would face if the UK left both the single market and customs union immediately without a withdrawal agreement. Now, the Society of Motor […]
Brexit & the supply chain: Airbus UK future in doubt and logistics industry calls for urgent clarity
The as-yet-unknown impact of the UK’s departure from the EU has hit the headlines again this week, concerning the supply chain and Britain’s place in the aerospace industry. Airbus, the largest commercial aerospace company in the UK, has published a risk assessment study outlining the urgent threats to its business arising from the UK leaving […]
Post-Brexit trading: Anti-dumping & upfront VAT?
The Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Bill – or ‘Customs Bill’ – will receive its second reading the House of Commons this week, detailing trading post-Brexit. Unions and business bodies have called for amendments to bring in strong anti-dumping legislation, giving power to the new Trade Remedies Authority. The GMB Union was among those calling for […]
Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies stars in Radio 4 Brexit-themed Today programme
Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies founder and MD Malcolm Hall MBE was interviewed for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme last week. The programme quizzed businesses in Nottingham on the forthcoming General Election and Brexit negotiations. Hall told the BBC: “I was pro-Brexit and I voted to leave. The opportunities out there for UK businesses are vast. Businesses […]
How will the UK General Election affect sterling? Free webinar will tackle the topic
The UK is returning to the polling stations on June 8th to decide whether Theresa May should remain as Prime Minister and take the nation through Brexit, or not. It’s another significant vote that could have implications for sterling and the global economic outlook and, arguably, more uncertainty for businesses. There is an upcoming free […]
‘UK and EU must listen to businesses during Brexit talks’
Minimising disruption to business should be a priority for the UK and EU governments during the Brexit negotiations, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Certainty on EU citizens in the UK – and UK citizens in the EU, consideration of the UK-Irish relationship and ultimately a comprehensive new economic partnership between the UK and the EU are among […]