Minister for Industry visits key logistics hub

The visit, which also included local MP Amanda Hack, began with a roundtable with logistics leaders, chaired by Logistics UK CEO Ben Fletcher and hosted by GXO and Nestlé, on how government priorities and those of the sector can align to deliver economic growth.

The Minister also toured the GXO-Nestlé facility to explore how investment in automation is transforming logistics, visited the Maritime Transport rail freight terminal to see the role it plays in supporting modal shift to cut emissions and congestion, and rode in a Kuehne + Nagel battery electric HGV supported through the government-funded Zero Emission HGV Infrastructure Demonstrator. He also met with Generation Logistics Ambassadors, who have recently begun their careers and are showcasing the opportunities the sector has to offer.

The Minister highlighted the importance of logistics in attracting private sector investment and enhancing the competitiveness of the industries it serves across the UK, while acknowledging the challenges the sector faces from ageing public infrastructure and border friction. He also recognised the opportunities being seized, from adopting new technologies to training people for new and evolving roles, and spoke about the importance of workplace safety.