About HaulageHub
Established in 2021 by co-founders Scott Robertson and Craig Thompson, HaulageHub has rapidly evolved to become the UK's leading Digital Freight Marketplace. Motivated by a vision to resolve persistent bottlenecks and streamline operations in the UK road haulage industry, we've set out to redefine the logistics landscape.
Our Story
HaulageHub was born from the shared insights of Scott Robertson and Craig Thompson in the midst of the global pandemic of 2020. Scott, with his vast experience in logistics and a profound concern for the environmental consequences of the high rates of empty running in the UK haulage sector, imagined a digital innovation that could transform the industry. Teaming up with Craig, a knowledgeable business partner with a wealth of experience in the digital realm, they set out to bring this pioneering idea to life.
Armed with an understanding of the industry's challenges, a dedication to environmental sustainability, and a firm grasp of digital tools, they set about creating HaulageHub. They poured in countless hours to develop a platform that would not only streamline the haulage industry by bringing shippers and hauliers together but also significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with empty truck runs.
Following a soft launch in October 2021, the platform was put to the test and further refined based on valuable user feedback. This led to a successful full-scale launch in January 2022, marking a new era in the UK road haulage sector.
Now, HaulageHub efficiently handles thousands of loads each week and is an invaluable tool for a large number of the UK's fastest growing haulage companies. Despite this exponential growth, Scott and Craig remain committed to their original mission: enhancing efficiency, fostering transparency, reducing environmental impact, and continuously innovating within the logistics industry.
Our Industry
The UK's Road Haulage Market is a cornerstone of the national economy, a sprawling network that enables the movement of goods across the country and beyond. With a value of £28.1 billion in 2021, the industry is projected to grow to an impressive £36 billion by 2025. This economic heavyweight is driven by the sheer force of 51,034 businesses and the diligent work of 289,000 employees.
Every year, a staggering 4 billion tonnes of goods are moved across the UK. This monumental effort accounts for 11 billion vehicle miles, reflecting the industry's vital role in the UK's economic and logistical infrastructure. The backbone of these operations is the 501,000 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in the UK, of which 117,000 weigh over 41 tonnes.
However, a significant challenge lurks within these impressive figures: about 30% of all heavy goods vehicle miles are 'empty runs', where trucks return from deliveries without a new load to transport. These empty runs account for over 4.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year - a stark environmental impact equivalent to the emissions from over a million cars running in the UK.
These statistics underscore the importance of the road haulage industry to the UK's economy and the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact. The haulage industry is not just about moving goods; it's about finding better, more sustainable ways to keep the nation's economy moving forward.
Our Mission & Vision
At HaulageHub, we are driven by the vision of a future where the UK's road haulage industry operates at the pinnacle of efficiency and sustainability. Our mission is to lead this transformation by bridging the gap between shippers and hauliers through our innovative digital freight marketplace. We are committed to streamlining the logistics process, reducing the industry's environmental footprint, and fostering economic growth. By tackling the issue of empty runs, we aim to significantly cut CO2 emissions and drive positive change in the haulage industry. Through our platform, we're not just moving freight — we're reshaping an industry and contributing to a more sustainable future.