In the 12 months since Motor Transport's last Fleet Management Conference, the UK has been hit by the worst recession since World War II. This year's conference on 21 October will give delegates a chance to assess the state of the transport industry as it recovers from the downturn.
Phil Murphy, Royal Mail network operations director, will present at the conference following a radical overhaul of his business. He says delegates will get a broad spectrum of ideas on what other firms are doing in the recession.
"It'll hopefully help operators to identify existing opportunities in their own sphere of business and ways to improve their operations," he explains. "We've focused on total business transformation and modernisation to keep up with an ever-changing world."
Another event speaker, John Comer, product manager UK and Ireland, Volvo Trucks, says the manufacturer has had to react quickly in the face of recession.
"It's no secret that the truck industry has been heavily hit, and this has meant a period of realignment within the company. We have to look after our cost base, paying attention to every element, but you also have to be prepared to come out of the recession, to not be left behind when things pick up."
But businesses can benefit from what they learn during a recession, he says. "When you become a leaner organisation, it gives you the chance to reassess and adapt."
Also speaking at the conference is Tony Hourigan, Wincanton's UK business development director. He tells MT: "The recession has had a varied impact on us and our customers, sometimes changing the ways we do business, and often our priorities."
Now is the time for fleet managers to focus their efforts on customers, adds Hourigan. "Our advice is to listen to your customers - we have spent more time doing this, focusing on their issues and looking at where we can add value for them."
So book your place now by calling Chiselle Millett on 0208 652 8036, or by e-mailing chiselle.millett@rbi.co.uk. Alternatively, visit our website: www.mtconferences.co.uk
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