The maxim ‘The customer is king’ has always held true in retailing. The problem is ‘the king’ is now more demanding than ever.

CH Jones has been acquired by Fleetcor, a US fuel supply and management business. Fleetcor has global fuel card aspirations and has selected CH Jones to be part of its global franchise.

Dubai Logistics City the multi-modal integrated logistics platform which is a key component of Dubai World Central which is being developed in Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates,

Hapag-Lloyd is set to begin a new weekly service from Europe to South Africa in October 2006. The South Africa Express service (SAX) will link Felixstowe, Hamburg, Antwerp and Le Havre with Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban.

US group Sammons Enterprises has bought the materials handling division of Finning (UK), which distributes Caterpillar equipment. Dallas-based Sammons is one of the world’s largest privately owned companies with assets in excess of US$30 billion.

Lafarge Cement has renewed its £22m distribution contract with Turners. The new three-year contract was signed after an 18 month tender and has an option to renew for a further three years.

Kent transport company Alan Firmin has joined the Palletforce network. Operations manager Paul Denyer said: “Joining a distribution network allows us to become a one-stop shop.”

Eddie Stobart has launched a dedicated rail freight service for Tesco, moving goods from Daventry to Tesco’s distribution centre at Livingston in Scotland.

Skills for Logistics has appointed John Lister to its board of directors. Lister has over 25 years experience working in the courier sector and currently is the owner and managing director of London-based Reuter Brooks Couriers.

Penauille Servisair Cargo, an air cargo handler, has taken delivery of its first trailers from Boalloy. Six curtainsiders have joined the 33 strong trailer fleet within the Penauille operation at Manchester Airport.