Simon Hastelow

Southend-on-Sea

Assistant Editor at Timber Trades Journal (TTJ)

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Articles

Stuart Nicol Expands Fleet with Four New Volvo FH Aero Trucks

2 weeks ago | translogistics.net | Simon Hastelow

Lanarkshire-based operator Stuart Nicol Transport has taken delivery of the first of four new Volvo FH Aero trucks as part of its latest fleet investment. The haulage business continues its long-term relationship with Volvo Trucks, specifying each unit to meet operational demands and enhance driver experience. Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus North & Scotland, the order includes three Globetrotter XL models and a top-spec Globetrotter XXL, all built around the new FH Aero platform.
Stuart Nicol Expands Fleet with Four New Volvo FH Aero Trucks

2 weeks ago | truckingmag.co.uk | Simon Hastelow

Lanarkshire-based operator Stuart Nicol Transport has taken delivery of the first of four new Volvo FH Aero trucks as part of its latest fleet investment. The haulage business continues its long-term relationship with Volvo Trucks, specifying each unit to meet operational demands and enhance driver experience. Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus North & Scotland, the order includes three Globetrotter XL models and a top-spec Globetrotter XXL, all built around the new FH Aero platform.
Diary of a Compliance Officer: The Law Never Sleeps

2 weeks ago | translogistics.net | Simon Hastelow

Get a behind-the-scenes look at life as a compliance officer in the haulage industry -- from tacho nightmares to DVSA paranoia. Monday: Paper Trails and PanicStarted by chasing missing defect sheets from last week. Found one in a truck footwell, soaked in Fanta. Another was used to wrap a sandwich. Lovely. Lesson: Drivers will store anything anywhere -- except where it should be. Tuesday: Tacho TimebombsRan infringement reports. Found one driver with seven rest period violations. His excuse?
Diary of a Traffic Office Rookie: Chaos With a Name Badge

2 weeks ago | translogistics.net | Simon Hastelow

Follow the diary of a new recruit in a UK traffic office as they navigate jargon, near-miss disasters, and the surprising joys of haulage life. Monday: Overwhelmed is an UnderstatementFirst day on the desk solo. Phones ringing. Radios buzzing. Everyone's shouting postcodes like I know where Warrington is. I nodded a lot and prayed. Lesson: The panic fades after hour six. Tuesday: Lingo Bingo"Tramping," "double manning," "POA" -- I need a glossary and a stiff drink.
Diary of a Workshop Manager: Oil, Sweat, and Tears

2 weeks ago | translogistics.net | Simon Hastelow

Step into the workshop for a week of chaos, MOT stress, and mechanical miracles with our candid diary from a UK HGV workshop manager. Monday: Brake Test BedlamStarted the week with a bang -- literally. One of the apprentices managed to drop a brake caliper on his foot (steel toes, thank God). The day spiralled into chaos when two trucks failed their brake tests back-to-back.
Diary of a Transport Planner: The Route Less Sensible

2 weeks ago | translogistics.net | Simon Hastelow

Discover the daily chaos of a UK transport planner juggling routing software, driver updates, and last-minute job changes. Monday: Telematics TantrumsHalf the trucks showed on the system. The rest decided to ghost me. Sent four WhatsApps, two calls, and a smoke signal to figure out who was where. Driver Alan said he was "just pulling out" -- timestamps beg to differ. Lesson: Planners trust, but verify. Tuesday: Job JengaCustomer moved a full load forward by six hours.
Diary of a Customer Liaison Manager: Between the Client and the Carnage

3 weeks ago | translogistics.net | Simon Hastelow

Step into the shoes of a UK customer liaison manager balancing delivery drama, operational clashes, and fragile client trust. Monday: Complaint City Woke to six emails titled "URGENT." All the same job. Delivery window missed, driver delayed by a crash, client not having it. Smiled sweetly while getting roasted. Lesson: Never let them hear the panic. Tuesday: Damage Limitation One client claimed we'd scratched a GBP3,000 coffee machine. Another blamed us for "delayed install." Neither had photos.
Diary of a Customer Liaison Manager: Between the Client and the Carnage

3 weeks ago | truckingmag.co.uk | Simon Hastelow

Step into the shoes of a UK customer liaison manager balancing delivery drama, operational clashes, and fragile client trust. Monday: Complaint City Woke to six emails titled “URGENT.” All the same job. Delivery window missed, driver delayed by a crash, client not having it. Smiled sweetly while getting roasted. Lesson: Never let them hear the panic. Tuesday: Damage LimitationOne client claimed we’d scratched a £3,000 coffee machine.
Diary of a Transport Planner: The Route Less Sensible

3 weeks ago | truckingmag.co.uk | Simon Hastelow

Discover the daily chaos of a UK transport planner juggling routing software, driver updates, and last-minute job changes. Half the trucks showed on the system. The rest decided to ghost me. Sent four WhatsApps, two calls, and a smoke signal to figure out who was where. Driver Alan said he was “just pulling out” — timestamps beg to differ. Lesson: Planners trust, but verify. Customer moved a full load forward by six hours.
Diary of a Compliance Officer: The Law Never Sleeps

3 weeks ago | truckingmag.co.uk | Simon Hastelow

Get a behind-the-scenes look at life as a compliance officer in the haulage industry — from tacho nightmares to DVSA paranoia. Started by chasing missing defect sheets from last week. Found one in a truck footwell, soaked in Fanta. Another was used to wrap a sandwich. Lovely. Lesson: Drivers will store anything anywhere — except where it should be. Ran infringement reports. Found one driver with seven rest period violations. His excuse?