editorial comment l
ShD Promoting excellence in Editor
Peter MacLeod
peter.macleod@
informa.com 0207 017 6987
Digital Editor Nikki Catchpole
nikki.catchpole@
informa.com
Publishing & Exhibitions Director Rob Fisher
rob.fisher@
informa.com 0207 017 6986
Advertisement Sales Christine Attew
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informa.com 0207 017 7124
Advertisement Sales Joel Martin
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informa.com 0207 017 6991
Managing Director Peter Hall
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Talking of time, way back in the deep darkness of Britain's industrial past, there existed an organisation that was crippled by strikes and inefficiencies. British Leyland was the flagship of the British motor industry, yet it was rotten to the core. Margaret Thatcher's influence in busting the unions set the company loose, and after after a brief revival - praise be to the Mini Metro! - it sighed its last breath and collapsed, enabling the Chinese and Germans to feast on the carcass.
H
It is extraordinary to think that a company which was spun out of that moribund mess is one of our industry's most dynamic and forward thinking operations today. Unipart was the name of the parts division of BL, and gentlemen of a certain age, myself included, may remember it emblazoned across the noses of racing cars guided to success by the likes of Nigel Mansell during the 1970s and '80s. Today, Unipart Logistics is a shining beacon of efficiency, and extraordinary success story that is setting the standard in the UK logistics industry. I was fortunate to visit the company's Oxford HQ - situated conveniently next to BMW's Mini plant - on the day it was honouring its high-achieving staff.
The sense of pride from the shop floor upwards was tangible, and a testament to the board's engagement with its people is that Unipart's Group Chief Executive, John Neill, has not missed a single one of these monthly ceremonies since he led an MBO in 1987.
Turn to page 16 for an example of what this company can achieve, then banish the BL demons by sitting back and ponder with pride that the UK can still lead the way in business.
ello from the team at ShD, and a Happy New Year to all of you from all of us. It seems incredible that this is the sixth New Year I've celebrated as ShD's editor. The beginning of year always serves as a reminder of the inexorable passing of time, and I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking the years seem to be getting shorter the older we get!
logistics and materials handling
Peter MacLeod Editor
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