Category: Industry Commentary
This section houses latest news from the industry sector and may include additional commentary / opinion from TouchStar personnel.
04 August 2023
There are three topics that are being discussed a lot in our industry right now. They are decarbonisation, collaboration and digitalisation. But what does this mean for us, and how can you get involved? Read more to find out.
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26 May 2023
To drive productivity, reduce costs, improve security, and streamline operations in the oil and gas sector, organisations can adopt several strategies and initiatives. This blog examines some key approaches to consider. Read More >>
21 March 2023
The commercial implications of the move towards hydrogen are significant. The shift from fossil fuels towards hydrogen will impact the infrastructure required to support this change, creating new business opportunities across sectors such as energy and transportation. In this article, we will explore the UK's readiness for hydrogen, with a focus on the commercial implications of the move. Read More >>
17 February 2023
The ongoing rising costs and inflation are unfortunately not new news, and with the UK inflation rate at 10.1% in January 2023, costs are unlikely to decrease in the coming months. It does not seem possible to put this rise in inflation down to one particular event and instead seems to have stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, UK political decisions and economic policies, as well as increasing energy prices and supply chain bottlenecks. Here, we look at how the various rising costs are impacting the fuel logistics industry and the considerations that come along with this. Read More >>
03 October 2022
In the September issue of 'Fuel Oil News' Liz Boardman chats to Gordon Hyland, Sales Director at Touchstar Technologies, about software solutions, world domination and why the fuel distribution industry is such a rewarding place to work. Read More >>
27 September 2022
The number of discussions about households, businesses, countries and continents becoming more environmentally friendly is increasing and becoming more important. Not only did COP26 shine a light on the need for the world to work together to tackle the rising carbon emissions, but it also highlighted the current irregular approaches taken globally. Europe and the European Union are trying to bring its member states back in line to work together toward their new targets of cutting carbon emissions. But what do the current and future plans for fuel look like within this mix? Read More >>
30 August 2022
With the UK on the edge of significant change towards a more environmentally-friendly and low-carbon approach to the transport and logistics industry, renewable liquid fuels (RLFs) are being introduced more to the market.
There are several different types of alternative fuels slowly entering the market and growing the level of competition for suppliers. Whether these renewable fuels are currently a viable option for everyone is yet to be seen but as the demand grows, so will the marketplace. However, is the UK ready for RLFs to become commonplace for businesses? Read More >>
13 July 2022
National and international businesses are continuously innovating, reviewing, and improving operations through harnessing the capabilities of digital technology. Whether this is to enhance operations, streamline processes or introduce business efficiencies, digital practices have, and continue to have a significant impact across all sectors, with the fuel industry at the forefront of digitalisation. Here, we look at the fuel sector and its leading role as a digitalisation front-runner. Read More >>
03 May 2022
The UKIFDA show is regarded by those in the industry as the place to launch new products and services, meet clients and do business and Touchstar has been a regular exhibitor for several decades. Gordon Hyland, Touchstar’s Sales Director for the fuel division, is a well-seasoned business traveller having worked in the airline industry as well as general & fuel logistics. So what prompted him to make such a strong declaration regarding the attributes of UKFDA 2022? Click to read on. Read More >>
07 March 2022
Touchstar Technologies Fuel Division is the clear market leader in the supply of Electronic Proof of Delivery systems to the UK fuel sector, with a market share in excess of 70%. The company’s current strategy is focused on expansion into new international territories. An integral component of the strategy has seen Gordon Hyland, Sales Director, attend many of the leading international trade shows in order to establish dialogue with both potential clients and technology partners. Read More >>
13 January 2022
Much has changed in the past couple of years, with businesses across all sectors having to adapt in ways they didn’t expect. Unfortunately, it seems that 2022 is likely to continue in the same trend, with COVID-19 still impacting both businesses and consumers and returning to “normal” appearing further and further away. However, there are still some predictions we can make about this year for the logistics industry and this blog covers some of the key ones. Read More >>
27 August 2021
To reduce the current impact that oil heated properties are having, biofuels are being investigated to see if they are a suitable solution. This blog explores biofuels and how they could impact the supply chain. Read More >>
19 January 2021
Organisers of UKIFDA EXPO 2021, the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association have continued to monitor the situation in relation to Covid-19 and following the UK Government’s recent national lockdown announcement have now taken the decision to move the event from 19 & 20 May to 7 & 8 July 2021 at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool. Read More >>
18 January 2021
As 2020 begins to feel like a distant memory, it seems more than fitting to look ahead to 2021. As it will for almost every industry, 2020 will be remembered as an exceptionally challenging time for the fuel logistics sector. But what is 2021 likely to bring? This blog examines the trends and events predicted to impact fuel logistics over the next twelve months. Read More >>
29 October 2020
This year has been anything but predictable. Alongside most of the world, the UK has faced a set of unique challenges in 2020, not least new extremes of supply and demand for the many logistics operations that keep the nation going. How many critical industries rely on bulk fuel delivery? This blog takes a look at just a few. Read More >>
02 October 2020
Here at Touchstar, people are our biggest asset. We strive to find the brightest minds in data capture, logistics optimisation and mobile computing; people who can support our bulk logistics clients in implementing enterprise-ready solutions for greater operational performance. This includes our Business Development Director, Gordon Hyland. With decades of industry experience and specialising in mobile EPOS / EPOD solutions, Gordon brings a keen technical perspective to our bulk logistics division.
As our management systems continue to evolve, Gordon shares his thoughts on the latest developments at Touchstar and the wider bulk logistics market. Read More >>
25 August 2020
What does it mean to be ‘digitally fit’? For bulk logistics firms, digital fitness means embracing the technologies that enable them to optimise their services and the ways in which they deliver them. These technologies include the software and hardware that support the planning, optimisation and delivery of bulk logistics operations. This blog looks at some of the most significant benefits digital fitness can create for the bulk logistics industry. Read More >>
31 July 2020
Earlier this year, a major deal was struck for a bulk gas distributor to transport hydrogen to the capital, where Transport for London (TfL) will use it to power 20 hydrogen-fuelled double decker buses from September. It’s a move seen as a big step for the UK’s hydrogen infrastructure and eventual plans for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Could hydrogen fuel cells become the driving force behind the bulk logistics sector? This blog weighs up the viability of hydrogen as a fuel for bulk logistics operations. Read More >>
08 July 2020
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been a uniquely challenging time for the logistics sector. Never have the world’s supply chains faced such a universally seismic set of circumstances, nor one that is likely to have such far-reaching consequences. Yet the challenges of COVID-19 have been, and continue to be, somewhat different for the logistics industry than that of other areas of business. Read More >>
24 February 2020
Fleet insurance for bulk logistics, or courier business insurance, enables a bulk logistics business to cover all of its vehicles on a single policy, with one renewal date and one expenditure to manage. It’s obviously a compulsory expense, but this can mean it’s a cost that fleet managers don’t really think about or look to limit, until there’s a sharp hike in their premium. Read More >>
02 October 2019
Whether a fleet consists of five vehicles or 500 plus, certain management issues are universal. Challenges change as impacting factors shift, but any firm that relies on a commercial fleet, including bulk logistics companies, must find ways to address and work around them. Read More >>
08 July 2019
Implementing operational change can be a tall order in any organisation. However, companies in the logistics industry may resist change more than most, especially when it comes to digitisation. Despite relatively widespread awareness of the benefits of digitisation across the logistics industry, a recent survey of 98 middle- and senior-level supply chain managers found that cultural resistance is the biggest roadblock to digital transformation. We’ve taken a closer look at the pain points bulk logistics companies might come up against when looking to implement a logistics optimisation solution, and some of the ways you can overcome these to secure executive and driver buy-in. Read More >>
22 February 2019
Today, Industry 4.0 is making its presence felt across all aspects of the manufacturing process, including the supply chain. For bulk logistics companies, Supply Chain 4.0 represents a faster, more responsive and more efficient operational approach. Read More >>
22 February 2019
According to respected market analysts Gartner, Global IT spending is set to increase despite Brexit, recession and tariff rumours. Gartner predicts global IT spending will reach $3.8 trillion in 2019, an increase of 3.2% from 2018. If the ‘gloom and doom’ predictions prove correct and Brexit helps to trigger another recessionary period, notably for the UK, why on earth would business organisations contemplate spending increases? This article explains why IT spending in a recessionary period can be critical to survival. Read More >>
08 October 2018
Like any other industry, the bulk logistics sector is subject to a huge variety of ever-changing factors and influences, ranging from the technological to the social, the economic to the geopolitical.
While focusing on your own operational performance is key to success, no commercial organisation can afford to only look inwards. Here are the bulk logistics industry trends that should be on your business radar.
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28 September 2018
Stacks of paperwork don’t often add up to operational efficiency. And for bulk suppliers responsible for transporting their precious cargo across miles of open road, inefficient processes prevent them from being able to react and respond with professional agility. The nature of the business may be mobile, but arduous working practices can slow even the most pioneering bulk distributor. Read More >>
28 March 2018
On May 25 this year, the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) will come into force, marking the biggest change to UK data protection legislation in two decades. The update will impact businesses and workers across all sectors, including fleet managers. Today, to manage a fleet of vehicles and drivers effectively, you need data, and much of it comes under the ‘personal’ category. And, seeing as GDPR compliance will be a statutory requirement, it’s crucial you understand what actions to take. Read More >>
30 May 2017
Fuel contamination within a large commercial tanker can be costly error, reducing the quality of the product and damaging a business reputation. New technology systems such as the Electronic Proof of Delivery system can reduce the risk of contamination by logging movement of produce at all times. Read More >>
03 April 2017
Fuel tankers are large delivery vehicles carrying dangerous materials and so require a high-level of care to ensure that they are working to optimum standard. The law requires drivers of such vehicles to carry out daily walkaround checks, inspecting various aspects of the vehicle to ensure everything is working as it should be.
This daily walkaround check must be recorded, a task which is often seen as onerous and filled with paperwork. Frequently, issues arise with regards to poor handwriting preventing some of the information being read or paperwork getting lost or damaged in the cab. As such, companies are looking to new technology to find ways to improve this process. Read More >>