< Previous30 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FREIGHT, STORAGE AND MOVEMENT International trade is in a bad spot right now, and ocean freight is suffering. However, it’s not all bad news for road and rail. O ne can’t really talk about freight and shipping without bringing up the volatility of the global market. Trump’s presidency has brought in such instability that any news on tariffs that might be written now could be obsolete by the time of reading. That said, the unpredictable nature of his policies – which his supporters tout as a selling point – are bad news enough for the freight industry. Markets do not like instability, which means a lot of manufacturers are going to be questioning how committed they want to be to US trade in the coming months and years. This is going to have a knock-on effect for the freight shipping industry, which thrived the most in our region back when the UK By rail and by road www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 31 FREIGHT, STORAGE AND MOVEMENT was part of the EU and benefited from many more free trade agreements than it does now. During 2024, one of the largest challenges to the global freight industry was the persistent onslaught of Houthi attacks targeting vessels navigating the Red Sea, and while the area still remains a dangerous one, the heightening tension from Russia is perhaps more overbearing. Carriers have resorted to implementing General Rate Increases (GRIs) and surcharges to offset the escalating costs associated with prolonged voyages and increased levels of risk. Maintaining schedules amidst the need for additional vessels translates to heightened expenses, encompassing fuel and operational costs. Consequently, rates have witnessed a notable uptick, particularly on routes connecting to North America, Europe, and the Mediterranean. Similarly, insurance costs have ballooned, with premiums escalating by as much as 1% of vessel values, rendering the continuation of transits through the region more financially burdensome. As 32 Á32 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FREIGHT, STORAGE AND MOVEMENT the industry navigates these turbulent waters, the timely sharing of information between competitors is imperative for individual carriers to adapt their operations and remain safe. That said, although ocean freight rates have indeed experienced noticeable increases, they pale in comparison to the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, providing hope in today’s climate. At its peak, rates for 40-foot containers bound from Asia to North Europe and the Mediterranean soared to around $15,000, while those destined for North America surpassed the staggering mark of $20,000. But saying things were worse before is small comfort for the industry today, particularly for businesses in coastal regions that rely on trade. Rail freight, on the other hand, has seen something of an uptick in the UK and our region. Tritax Big Box Developments (TBBD) has made a further submission to assist the Secretary of State in making a decision on a Development Consent Order (DCO) application for Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI), a major strategic rail freight interchange project in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The project, when complete, is projected to generate between £329million and £406million per year in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy. The submission comes a week after Government outlined a series of major infrastructure initiatives aimed at revitalising UK plc. Tritax Big Box Developments has referred to the project as a “once in a generation opportunity to deliver a major infrastructure project, which has rail freight, sustainability and economic growth at its core.” Road freight is also seeing some fresh investment in the region. Development of lorry parks at multiple locations www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 33 FREIGHT, STORAGE AND MOVEMENT throughout our region feature in a raft of grants being introduced in a £14m nationwide scheme to enhance efficiency and working conditions in the haulage industry. Funds are being given to enhance parking and driver welfare facilities throughout Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire including at Immingham, Stallinborough, Ulceby, Colsterworth on the A1, Newark, Sutterton, Bardon in Leicestershire, and numerous Moto locations amongst others. Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood revealed the 23 successful applicants of up to £4.5 million from the government to improve truckstops and working conditions for lorry drivers. The investment will also help build better dining, changing and rest facilities, as well as new CCTV and secure fencing to boost welfare and security for lorry drivers. The funding is from the third year of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme, which will come in addition to £8 million from industry, for a total funding boost of £12.5 million to improve truckstops. This investment comes on top of £1.8 million from the government for 10 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to trial new groundbreaking technology for decarbonising freight and driving innovation in the sector. Lilian Greenwood said: “Freight is a crucial engine of our economy and it is only right we do all we can to improve working conditions, pioneer innovation and drive sustainability across the industry. Our funding, combined with investment from the industry, will ensure lorry drivers can enjoy safer parking, a proper rest and a warm meal, while supporting UK businesses to harvest the best of technology to move freight faster, decarbonise our supply chain, and grow the economy for all.” 34 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk PUBLIC RELATIONS A s the clocks go forward this spring, many people will grumble about losing an hour’s kip. But for businesses—and particularly those in marketing—this shift presents a golden opportunity. Rather than moaning about what’s lost, why not flip the script and focus on what’s gained? Longer days, renewed energy, and a fresh perspective on storytelling and audience engagement all await. Here’s how businesses can make the most of the clock change and turn one less hour of sleep into a season of opportunity. 1. Capitalise on the ‘psychological reset’ in PR campaigns Spring signifies renewal and growth, making it the perfect time for businesses to shake off the winter cobwebs and accordingly. PR pros can seize this seasonal change to increase brand visibility, engagement, and in-person networking opportunities. • PR event strategy: Host a spring sundown networking event or an outdoor media showcase, capitalising on the extra daylight to enhance visibility and footfall. • Social media PR angle: Encourage brands to share ‘golden hour’ content, when the lighting is at its most flattering and engagement rates tend to soar. 3. Use the time change to drive PR & marketing campaigns The clock change is a universal experience, making it the perfect narrative hook for storytelling and PR campaigns. Brands that tap into Spring forward: How businesses can make the most of the clock change – A PRspective Greg Simpson, founder of Press For Attention PR, showcases how businesses can make the most of the upcoming clock change. refresh their messaging. Journalists, audiences, and clients are emerging from their seasonal hibernation—so this is the ideal moment to introduce fresh angles and reinvigorate PR campaigns. • PR tip: Use the ‘spring forward’ concept as a metaphor in press releases and storytelling. Tap into themes of growth, innovation, and fresh starts to make your pitches more timely and relevant. • Actionable idea: Pitch a “spring clean your brand” feature to media outlets, offering expert insights on decluttering messaging, sprucing up PR strategies, and staying ahead of industry trends. 2. Harness the power of more daylight for PR events & engagement With the evenings stretching longer, we Brits start to emerge blinking into the daylight, and consumer habits shift www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 35 PUBLIC RELATIONS seasonal shifts automatically feel more relevant and engaging to audiences. • PR stunt idea: Position your business as an ‘efficiency expert’ and release a list of “top PR hacks for making the most of the extra evening hour.” • Thought leadership pitch: Frame the time change as a metaphor for business transformation—pitch a piece on “why spring is the perfect time for XYZ.” 4. Reignite media and audience engagement Longer days and brighter evenings boost mood and motivation, so use the clock change as a springboard (pun intended) to inject fresh energy into brand communications and PR campaigns. • Actionable idea: Launch a ‘spring reset’ media push, announcing new initiatives, products, or brand refreshes that align with the changing season. • Influencer & media engagement: Offer journalists and influencers ‘spring forward’ survival kits—including coffee, sunlight lamps, or branded eye masks— tied to a light-hearted pitch about your business. Conclusion: one hour less but a season more for PR wins Instead of mourning the lost hour of shut-eye, embrace the momentum that comes with the clock change. It’s a unique chance to refresh strategies, create timely campaigns, and capture media attention— all while making the most of the brighter days ahead. So, this spring, don’t just move the clock forward—move your PR game forward too. A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press For Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. 36 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS Materials rundown Materials rundown www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 37 MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS Big news for the steel industry as the government moves to protect it, but other materials should also be protected according to those in the industry. T he construction materials industry remains an important one within the region and the UK as a whole, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and contributing massively to the economy. Toward the end of 2024, the demand for heavy side materials increased, with sales of ready-mixed concrete rising by over 5% in the final quarter of the year. The increase was not as drastic in construction aggregates, with a little over 0.5%, but mortar saw a more impressive rise of 2.4% when compared to the same period in 2023. That increase in mortar means that it has now risen for three consecutive quarters, indicating a continued revival in the housebuilding market that has been witnessed with new developments across the region. Housing developments are becoming regular cash cows for developers in the region following repeated government promises to provide more housing, and the construction materials industry has benefited. However, according to figures released by the Mineral Products Association (MPA), this data underscores the severity of construction slowdown over the last two years and the challenges facing what is an industry worth over £20 billion. The MPA quote mortar sales as having fallen by 15% in 2024, falling below two million tonnes, which is a huge decrease from 2022’s peak figure of 2.7 million tonnes sold. Ready-mixed concrete also suffered in 38 Á38 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS 2024, experiencing a drop of over 10%, which caused it to reach its lowest level in over sixty years. The overall state and health of the industry has not been helped by new plans from DEFRA which may impact construction materials and aggregates. The government’s “Steel Strategy” aims to protect the vital steel industry, and that is by no means a bad thing, but the MPA has called their plans into doubt, calling them inconsistent on the future of some construction materials while overlooking aggregates such as cement and concrete. Dr Diana Casey, MPA Executive Director for Energy and Climate Change, said the Government’s plan for steel made worryingly familiar reading from a cement perspective, where similar existential threats are faced: “Cement was recently identified as the UK’s most vulnerable sector to carbon leakage, which effectively shifts emissions to countries with weaker climate policies. We’re not in the same position as steel, yet, but we’re on the same trajectory, with the same uncompetitive industrial energy costs. The Government should be aiming to reach 2050 with a stronger, decarbonised industrial base taking advantage of our natural strengths such as engineering expertise, mineral resources and carbon storage capacity. But instead, they risk killing off another foundation sector as other countries support their own industries to a greater degree than we do here.” The steel strategy itself promises to support the steel sector in developing and exploiting opportunities for growth, and the government has earmarked some £2.5 billion to support their plans for steel via the National Wealth Fund (NWF) and other routes. Aside from mere financial support, the steel strategy claims the government will promote the domestic use of UK steel and seek out future market opportunities for UK steel. They have also said they will take into account the global capacity and surplus of steel that has driven down prices over the last few decades and investigate how to protect UK steel manufacturers from said markets. Other countries can produce steel cheaper due to lower quality of employee care, something the UK cannot – and should not – attempt to compete in. Leaving aside housebuilding and construction, a more cynical but also realistic mind would argue the protection of the steel industry is in no small part due to global strain over Russia and the potential for future armed conflict. Given China is a big supplier of steel used in the UK but also an ally of Russia’s, it makes sense from a logistical point of view to preserve and protect the UK’s steel industry in the event the country needs it to protect itself. This is perhaps why similar protections to the steel strategy have not been rolled out over other construction materials like the MPA might wish. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 39 LAW / LEGAL SERVICES T he government’s new Employment Rights Bill was tabled for amendments at the beginning of March, following consultation and responses from business groups. Many businesses in our region will be wondering what changes, if any, will be felt by the bill and how it will affect their business. Zero-Hour Contracts Zero-hour contracts are one of the first targets in the bill’s sights, with plans to ban zero-hour contracts and ensure that all employees receive a contract that more accurately reflects the hours they regularly work. This change is likely to affect the “gig economy” more than it is traditional businesses, who rarely make use of zero-hour contracts in the first place. There are likely to be issues surrounding agency workers who are brought in for temporary contracts to fill a vacancy or pick up for extra work (such as a doctor at a hospital or a substitute teacher), and the bill is likely to be controversial in those industries. However, this does protect agency workers who are brought in for a set number of hours and then have their contract terminated early. Under the new scheme, agency workers in this scenario could be entitled to compensation. New laws The Employment Rights Bill will change the way many businesses interact with their employees. We look into it here. 40 ÁNext >