LOGISTICS

LOGISTICS

The Logistics sector involves the moving of goods throughout the economy and covers a variety of industries. Activities include freight transport, air transport, cargo handling, storage and warehousing, national post and courier activities.

Source: New Economy Manchester's Policy & Research Team

Key Statistics

Distribution of Employees in Logistics

working within Greater Manchester, 2007

Employment Concentrations

based on numbers working in Logistics in Greater Manchester, 2007

Large or significant Logistics employers in Greater Manchester include:

AK Worthington Group - Road haulage services

DHL Danzas Air and Ocean - Freight forwarding and storage

Exel Plc - Distribution services

DSV - Freight forwarding and storage

Frans Maas - Freight forwarding and storage

Hauser Ltd - Shipping and forwarding agents

Royal Mail - Courier services, delivery and collection services

TNT Logistics - Road haulage services

UK Today Couriers - Courier services

Whitbread Food Logistics - Distribution services

Wincanton - Distribution services

Source: Business Solutions, 2008

Employment Concentrations

based on numbers working in Logistics in Greater Manchester, 2007 

Forecast employment changes in Logistics

in Greater Manchester, 2008 -2013

Occupations include:

Bus and coach drivers

Heavy goods vehicle drivers

Other goods handling and storage occupations

Postal workers, mail sorters, courier messengers

Rail construction and maintenance operatives

Rail travel assistants

Storage and warehouse managers

Taxi cab drivers and chauffeurs

Train drivers

Transport and distribution clerks

Transport and distribution managers

Transport operatives

Van drivers

Weighers, graders and sorters

Case Studies

I currently work as a General Manager at the distribution centre for a toy manufacturer. I started training for my career by doing a 14 month management development programme which included a mixture of on-the-job training, residential courses and commercial projects. I gained valuable experience which has helped me in my current role where I am responsible for the whole site and for managing contracts with clients.

To succeed in a career in logistics you definitely have to enjoy working with other people as it is very much a team effort. As a manager I have a lot of responsibility and it is very important that I create a positive working atmosphere. There are challenging days but if you get on well with the people you work with then the job is very rewarding.

While researching career options I started to think about a career in passenger transport. I studied Politics at university and was interested in the political implications of new transport developments, for example the environmental impact these have, so it seemed like a career that would be relevant to my studies. It was also an area that looked to have a strong future so I felt it would offer secure prospects.

I started a graduate programme with a large bus company and was offered the opportunity to gain experience of working in a variety of other forms of travel. The projects I’ve worked on have been really interesting and I’m looking forward to moving up the career ladder.

My advice to anyone interested in a career in transport would be to go the extra mile when researching jobs and make sure you have a firm knowledge of the area you are hoping to work in. You will be rewarded with a career that is both challenging and varied.

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