An ubleievable TNT success story

I enclosed an interesting photo (crossdock on wheels) and its historical background.

fotoalbum.seniorennet.be/veluwezoom/scania/foto=4448480

Just before the beginning of a violent strike at the huge Wapping (U.K.) print works in 1987, an agreement between News Corps, the owner of the Wapping print shop, and TNT including the supply of 600 trucks and 1,200 people for the distribution of newspaper throughout Great-Britain was signed. As related in the book I wrote about TNT with Darren Hingston the carrier's vehicles and terminals came under attack, over 100 drivers were sent to hospital. The newspaper distribution may have been disrupted but it was never stopped which gave TNT a reputation for tenacity and efficiency.

The enclosed photo illustrâtes one of the strategy used by TNT to twart Union guerrilla tactics. The objective was to minimise the use of intermediary consolidation facilities vulnerable to Union actions. The trailers loaded with sequenced freight fed directly on the spot a sizeable number of the 600 small vans spread throughtout U.K. and Northern Ireland for the final delivery.

The result of the TNT involvement in that conflic was stunning. First, the Australian carrier became known as a game changer because he moved away the historical stranglehold of the rail on the newspaper distribution. Secondly, one by one the other national newspaper titles came to TNT Newsfast for their distribution needs. Thirdly, during the 90's TNT drove the competitors out of the matket with the exception of Exel (now DHL). This duopoly will live during the major part of the 90's but at the end of the decade Exel pull out losing many contracts in aid of TNT Newsfast. Finally, the unbelievable happened when TNT Newsfast, trading as CEVA Newsfast from 2006, became a monopoly delivering 100% of the British titles this, until 2009 (7 years) with a steady hit rate against a 15-minutes delivery window over 99%.

This short story is the perfect example of TNT leaders non- conventional mindset, innovative ideas and `` we will do it attitude ``.

Worked at Toll Automotive with Col Bowden who was a supervisor at newsfast during this disruption,had some great stories about the ingenious methods used to get around the union lines ,Col was also a supervisor at Comet Alexandria in the early 90s.

The other very special aspect of this story concerned the contract between News Corp. and TNT. The owner of News Corp, Rupert Murdock, and the CEO of TNT Peter Abeles was old friends and co-Chairman of Ansett the TNT air transport associated group. In an interview for the British Magazine TRUCK in 1989 Peter Abeles said :

`` HE (RUPERT MURDOCK) SAID HE WOULD COVER ANY LOSSES IF IT WENT WRONG ANYWHERE. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE HAVE INVESTED PURELY ON HIS SAY-SO ? I WOULD NOT HAVE DONE IT FOR ANYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD. BUT THEN THAT IS THE WAY WE RUN ANSETT. ``

The contract was based on trust and closed with an handchake. All these events show how TNT was very different and exeptional in mamy regards. It is what Darren and me demonstrate all along our book.