Freight news

Vantastic news for owners & drivers of vehicles up to 8m

01-11-2009

Vans and other commercial vehicles falling under the VAT limit of 8m in length and 4.9m in height can now be booked online including up to 3 people (including the driver). 

However, telephone bookings (0844 844 2666) are still required if:

• carrying hazardous materials
• if the vehicle is over 8m in length or
• is towing a trailer

50 percent discount for Freight Drivers

23-04-2009

Drivers of freight vehicles over 6m in length now qualify for a 50% discount on food or beverages purchased on their outward travel leg from ReFuel, our onboard food outlet.

Applies: To drivers of freight vehicles over 6m in length, travelling on Red Funnel’s Southampton/East Cowes route. Applies to account and non-account traffic, one voucher will be issued at check-in for outward journeys only. Validity: Offer valid until end of May 2009. How to redeem: Present voucher at the till.  Conditions: Only one voucher per driver per outward leg. Offer does not apply to return journeys or foot passengers. Offer subject to availability. Red Funnel reserves the right to withdraw the offer at anytime without prior notice. Not valid with any other Red Funnel offer or promotion.

IKEA awards Isle of Wight Home Delivery contract

12-01-2009

Red Funnel Distribution has been awarded the Home Delivery contract for the Isle of Wight by IKEA Southampton.

The new contract commences on February 12 and coincides with the opening of the Swedish retailers 254th store. Costing in the region of £80m, the new 34,000 sq m store is located in West Quay Road, Southampton and is one of the largest in the UK, stocking some 9,200 items and employing in the region of 500 people.

Red Funnel Distribution will utilise its existing Southampton groupage and Isle of Wight home delivery services to provide a next day service to IKEA's customers on the Island who prefer not to drive to the store as well as those unable to fit their shopping in the car.

John Rayner, Freight & Distribution Director comments 'We are delighted to win the IKEA contract as it will integrate seamlessly with our existing groupage and home delivery services and ensure Island residents and businesses can benefit from IKEA's offering."

Red Funnel transport Tesco fuel tanks

21-04-2008

Red Funnel demonstrated its ability to handle abnormal loads by transporting two giant fuel storage tanks for a new Tesco filling station near Ryde, Isle of Wight.

The tanks (pictured opposite) travelled on Red Eagle on the 5pm sailing from Southampton. At 29m in length they were just under the record holding 30m wind turbine blade carried for Isle of Wight based Vestas Blades. The absence of a difficult to negotiate centre-casing on Red Funnel's Raptor class ferries makes the vessels ideal for shipping abnormal size loads to and from the Isle of Wight.

Red Funnel Distribution announce new IT Investment

15-02-2008

Leading Isle of Wight freight and haulage company, Red Funnel Distribution has placed a major order with HaulTech IT Solutions for an advanced new computer system to help cope with its expanding business. The new HT Traffic Fleet Management software will handle order processing; load planning, vehicle scheduling, route optimisation, vehicle tracking and reporting.

John Rayner, Freight & Distribution Director comments "The new HaulTech system is due to go-live in next few weeks and will consolidate our competitive edge as we expand into profitable niche markets at a time when our core business continues to grow."

Red Funnel Distribution, a subsidiary of the Red Funnel Group is the Isle of Wight's largest and longest established road transport company, being formed in 1918. The Company, based at a purpose built six and a half acre site in Newport on the Island specialises in general haulage, groupage & palletised services, contract distribution & drop trailer services and home deliveries. It is also the Isle of Wight agent for BOC Gases.