OUR NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest HGV & HIAB industry news.
Managed driver services – what are they and why do they work?
Most builders’ merchants use temporary or agency drivers at some point. Holiday cover, sickness, seasonal peaks, recruitment gaps and unexpected increases in delivery demand can all create a need for additional drivers. For a single branch with occasional requirements, arranging cover on an ad-hoc basis can work perfectly well. But,…
How using regular freelance drivers can improve site safety
When builders’ merchants need additional driving resource, availability is naturally one of the first concerns. Can you get the right driver, with the right qualifications, where you need them and when you need them? But there is another factor that can make a big difference: consistency. Using experienced temporary drivers with…
SDR Shortlisted for BMF Service Member Engagement Award
SDR Shortlisted for BMF Service Member Engagement Award We are proud to announce that Specialist Driver Resourcing Ltd (SDR) has been shortlisted for the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) Service Member Engagement Award. Being recognised by the BMF alongside other respected businesses within the building materials sector is an achievement we…
What does a good builders’ merchant driver induction actually look like?
Every business wants its drivers to hit the ground running. When workloads are high and deliveries are waiting, it can be tempting to hand over the keys, explain the route planning system and send a new driver out on their first job. The problem is that even highly experienced merchant…
Why load security is about more than passing inspection
For many outside the transport industry, securing a load might seem a straightforward task. Just put the materials on the vehicle, tighten a few straps and head off to site. Anyone who has worked in the builders’ merchant transport sector knows that it is rarely that simple. Every day, merchant…
HIABs and Moffetts: understanding the differences
At first glance, many of the lifting vehicles used within the builders’ merchant sector appear to do the same job. In essence, they help transfer heavy building materials safely from the merchant’s vehicle to the customer’s site. But in reality, the skills needed to operate a HIAB or a Moffett…
Why many merchants are rethinking driver management
Ask most merchant transport and branch managers what takes up their time and driving schedules are unlikely to be the only answer. Today’s transport operation comes with an ever-growing administrative workload. Driver licences need checking, training records have to be maintained, certifications renewed and compliance documentation kept up to date….
Why deliveries still matter in the AI age
We were thrilled to attend the recent NMBS Conference in Alicante as a Platinum Sponsor. The fantastic three-day event was a chance to meet many of our customers from across the industry, as well as to learn more about the key challenges and opportunities facing the sector. The conference programme…
How temporary drivers help builders’ merchants stay responsive
For builders’ merchants, demand rarely arrives in a neat and predictable pattern. One week a branch can be operating normally, while the next sees a surge in activity driven by favourable weather, a major local project or, as we’re likely to see over the coming months, driver absences caused by…
Building Materials Logistics offers complete truck and driver solution
Specialist Driver Resourcing (SDR) has announced the launch of its new sister company, Building Materials Logistics (BML), marking a significant step in the business’ evolution. Originally established as a specialist provider of temporary drivers to builders’ merchants and building materials suppliers, SDR has built its reputation on delivering experienced, fully…