UPN expands Euro ops

Pallet network operator UPN has launched a new range of European palletised freight services. The new service will allow 65 UPN depots to supply a full range of services to 26 European countries, all from within the UPN system.

All countries will be served direct from UPN’s hub at Fradley Park in Lichfield.

Key to the launch is a new web-based portal, developed in-house by UPN, which links all the depots in real-time and provides instant pricing, quotes and online ordering, making consignments simple to manage and far less time-consuming to process. The new systems even include full auto postcode look-ups for every destination, which the company hopes will completely eliminate mistakes from the process.

Fingers out for alco tests

AlcoDigital has launched a new system it claims is 96 per cent accurate at detecting alcohol levels and capable of determining a persons’ level of intoxication in seconds with just a touch of the finger. The AlcoSense TruTouch uses a near-infrared light to measure blood alcohol content in the skin via contact with an optical pad. The light reflected back by the skin is then analysed to determine alcohol concentration in the tissue and to verify the identity of the user, and can be linked to site or depot entrances, making supervision unnecessary.

Suzannah Robin, AlcoDigital sales director, said: “Alcohol abuse is not a problem restricted to transport. Screening every employee, every day can produce a step-change in underlying behaviour. Vehicle interlocks can ensure drivers are tested on a daily basis, but TruTouch introduces the same safety culture to every environment.”

While not a UK certified device, AlcoDigital has combined the TruTouch with its new Lab-in-a-Bag, which is approved in the UK for police use and provides results for both drugs and alcohol tests.

CV Show a success

Organisers of the 2013 CV Show said more than 18,000 people visited over 430 exhibitors during the three days of this year’s event. The achievement tops last year by around 2000 people. The unaudited figures show the number of visitors through the door shows an increase of 11.6 per cent compared with 2012.

DAF’s marketing director, Tony Pain, said: “We believe it was possibly our most successful CV Show ever. We were inundated with visitors and enquiries, and it also gave us a great opportunity to showcase the worldwide launch of two thirds of our product range.”

The 2014 show will be held at the NEC from April 29-May 1.

Wraps off new CF & LF

By Andy Stewart
PHOTOGRAPHY DAF Trucks

Dutch commercial vehicle manufacturer DAF has taken the wraps off its new Euro 6 CF and LF trucks at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham. DAF said the new Euro 6 vehicles have been developed for maximum transport efficiency, low operational costs and optimum vehicle performance.