More about logistics
Logistics includes rail, road, air and sea
Let’s go into a bit more detail. Logistics is the movement and supply of all goods (or freight) from raw materials, through all stages of the manufacturing process to the delivery of the finished product to companies and consumers. This is called the ‘supply chain.’
Nearly 2,320,000 people, or 8% of the workforce in the United Kingdom, work within logistics. Logistics industries underpin most parts of the UK economy, and are estimated to be worth over £96bn to the country. All forms of transport are involved in distributing freight – road, rail, air, sea and waterways.
You can break down the industry seven ways. Click on each heading to explore job roles in each industry area.
Air Freight
Although Air Freight industries in the UK transport less than one per cent of all goods moved, it accounts for a quarter of the value of all goods that are transported in the UK – making these businesses big players. There are 345 air freight workplaces in the UK. Typical jobs include Importer/exporter and Freight forwarder.
Driving (or Road Haulage)
Road Haulage – the movement of goods by road – is the third largest logistics industry, with 13% of the workforce. Business has been on the up over the last 30 years, now accounting for 68% of all goods moved compared with 53% in 1980. There are 32,975 Road Haulage workplaces in the UK. Typical jobs include Road transport manager and Large goods vehicle driver.
Postal Services
The Postal Service, which includes the transport and delivery of letters and parcels, is the second largest industry with 14% of the workforce. The Royal Mail, as the largest employer within the Postal Services industries, collects, processes and delivers around 84 million items to 27 million addresses. Typical jobs include Postal delivery worker and Courier.
Removals
Removal companies like Pickfords are well known for helping with domestic customers to move home, but they can also help businesses relocate their offices and staff. They will often have substantial warehousing and storage facilities to keep their customers’ goods safely. Typical jobs include Removals operative and Road transport manager.
Sea Freight and Rail Freight
As well as air and road, goods can be moved by sea and rail – both across the UK and around the world. People working in these industries will work closely with transport hubs such as ports and rail freight depots to make sure the valuable loads keep moving and arrive on time. Typical jobs include Traction and rolling stock engineer and Port operative.
Storage and Warehousing
Warehouses operate by storing all sorts of products and then dispatching them to where they are needed. All sorts of goods are stored in warehouses including; chemicals, electrical goods, textiles, foodstuffs and so on. Storage and Warehousing occupations account for 11% of the workforce, working out of 5,725 workplaces. Typical jobs include Forklift truck operator and Warehouse manager.
Wholesaling
Wholesalers sell goods to all manner of businesses including those involved in food and drink, the motor industry, construction, clothing, chemicals, healthcare and electronics. These companies employ the greatest number of people – 41% of the logistics workforce across 125,300 workplaces in the UK. Typical jobs include Warehouse operative and Purchasing manager.
Employers across the logistics industry always need people with general business skills to keep sales coming in and to make their operations run smoothly – like IT, Finance, Marketing or Administration. Explore some of these General roles in our Just the job area.
More information
Like to learn more about these dynamic industries? More detailed labour market information is available on the Skills for Logistics website. You can find key organisations and resources connected with careers in logistics on our links and downloads page under Giving advice.
