That was the message delivered to more than 100 delegates at the CILT Annual Logistics Conference in Coventry last week (18 June).
The conference heard from speakers from Transport for London, Transport for Greater Manchester, New York City Department for Transport, Travis Perkins, Clipper Logistics, Cemex and Whitbread.
There were parallels between the cities discussed, delegates were told. Dr Jon Lamonte, chief executive for Transport for Greater Manchester, reported the developments between public transport and freight logistics, adding that it required "joined-up thinking".
Out-of-hours deliveries are crucial, the conference heard. Brodie McMillan, Whitbread's logistics director, told delegates his business is experiencing rapid growth and delivers to 900 Costa Coffee locations every night.
Brodie spoke of the importance of driver training and awareness, as well as truck modification including quiet fridge motors, reversing beepers and rubber buffers all needing modification for night-time deliveries. "Quiet deliveries are here to say," he said.
The conference closed with a panel debate, featuring representatives from Manpower Logistics, the European Cycle Logistics Federation, Go-Ahead Group and DHL.
CILT also announced a partnership with ITN productions for a current affairs programme, called Vision 2035, aimed at the UK transport and logistics sector. Click the link to watch a video of the highlights.