The Herald:

HELLO and welcome to the AM Business Briefing, as the Scottish Government has moved to reassure people that Scotland has an adequate petrol supply to meet normal purchasing patterns.

John Swinney, Deputy First Minister, said the Scottish Government had spoken to fuel suppliers about distribution problems in recent days.

On Sunday the UK Government suspended competition laws to allow suppliers to target petrol stations which are running low. As well as the shortage of HGV drivers, the industry has blamed "panic buying" from consumers for queues at forecourts around the UK.

Also today, an Aberdeen logistics firm is doubling its number of drivers, it is claimed capital expenditure could be curtailed during recovery, and in S1's employment focus analysis the impact of task levels is examined.

Freight specialist in major expansion

A Scottish freight and logistics firm is moving to a multi-million-pound new depot at Aberdeen Harbour and taking on twice as many drivers.

Streamline Shipping Group has almost doubled warehouse capacity at its Aberdeen headquarters with a new 7,800 m2 harbourside facility on Palmerston Quay, formerly Aberdeen Harbour’s historic fishmarket, as it celebrates its 40th year in business.

The move has allowed Streamline to increase its team of full-time yard operatives by 30 per cent, and double its full-time haulage drivers and vehicles, providing new job opportunities in the north east for those in the shipping and logistics industry.

James Roberts, operations director, said: “As we enter our fifth decade in business, we’re delighted to be moving to a larger, more prominent facility in Aberdeen to cope with increased demand.

“Our new warehouse has far greater capacity, allowing us to process up to 5,000 items every day in Aberdeen alone. This will allow us to continue to strengthen our delivery services across our network, both in the UK and overseas, ensuring our customers’ packages and freight get where they need to be.”

Streamline employs over 200 staff across the country with depots in Glasgow, Orkney, Shetland and Inverness, and offices and chemical processing facilities in England and Norway. Over 50 vehicles and 150 trailers provide first-class deliveries every day throughout Scotland, the wider UK and around the world. The firm also has a special connection with Orkney and Shetland, where it provides lifeline parcel delivery services to and from mainland UK.

Mr Roberts continued: “We’re proud of the relationships we have built over the last 40 years – both in Shetland and Orkney, where we work closely with local communities to provide logistical links to the mainland, and with our clients all around the world.

“Over the last 40 years, we’ve seen a number of changes in the way people send parcels and freight – both locally and internationally. But one thing that hasn’t changed is our dedication to providing an unrivalled service to all of our customers. Whether they are an individual receiving a package on Orkney or a multi-billion-pound organisation shipping freight halfway around the globe, we are committed to providing the best delivery experience possible.”

Streamline Shipping Group is Scotland’s foremost freight and logistics firm, delivering pallets, part loads and full-load haulage throughout the UK. From its depots in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Orkney, Shetland, and Inverness, the firm has provided world-class shipping, freight and transport solutions to clients of all sizes.

Covid could curtail capex until normality emerges

London is opening up faster than Scotland – so is it time to invest there, a Scottish tourism business asked this week’s Go Radio Business Show with Hunter & Haughey.

Frank Willoughby, owner of Glasgow Downtown CityMaps & Guides, called into the show and said: “When we were in London a couple of weeks ago, I noticed how the city has completely opened up. Unfortunately, up here, we’re not doing the same, especially with incoming tourists, both leisure and visitor.”

Too much intensity as job satisfaction ‘levels down’

The job satisfaction “premium” formerly enjoyed by lower-paid employees over higher earners has disappeared, according to new research, with less autonomy and higher workplace intensity blamed for the levelling down in individual fulfilment.

In 1992, 73 per cent of lower earners reported high job satisfaction. Among those on larger salaries, the figure was just 59%.

If you have been forwarded this article and would like to sign up, or view our new range of newsletters, click below:​​

The Herald: Herald Newsletter daily banner