The road freight transport industry is incredibly diverse, with operators ranging from the largest 3PLs that will transport and store just about anything to niche players focused on highly specialist markets.

Motor Transport’s Haulier of the Year award has for many years recognised the more generalist haulage contractor or 3PL and this category aims to recognise those more specialist operators providing a great service focused in just one area of business.

This Award will be made to either a standalone company operating in a specialist sector or a division of a larger 3PL focusing on just one category of operation.

The type of operation could include – but is not limited to – containers, temperature controlled, heavy haulage, airfreight, tankers, agriculture, livestock, waste/recycling, construction, car transport, or food and beverage. It is open to third party and own account operators running more than 11 commercial vehicles.

Judges will be looking for:

• Excellent customer service and evidence of high levels of customer satisfaction • Agility and flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions
• Leadership on environmental sustainability including a clear strategy for reducing carbon emissions
• Commitment to the safety of both employees and other road users
• A strong staff welfare policy that includes mental and physical well-being
• A sound commercial strategy which includes long term partnerships with customers rather than transactional relationships
• Maintaining the highest operational standards including a declaration the company has not been called to a PI in the last three years

Entries MUST include: three years’ audited accounts and a download or screen grab of the DVSA OCRS or evidence that the firm is part of the DVSA’s Earned Recognition scheme for every operating site covered by the entry.