As you will have deduced, logistics companies have an extra workload during the Christmas holidays.But as we say at Transports Porqueres, new needs must be met with more organisation. One of the advantages of this period is that the increase in workload is predictable. In this way, we can plan our response in advance. Some companies have defined their strategy for this time of year. Others simply have everything tied up and ready for the start of the season. Continue reading the article where we explain everything you need to take into account to anticipate a road haulage company for Christmas. Reinforcement of personnel The truth is that we find companies that increase the number of workers, even multiplying their staff at Christmas.This is due to the need to secure workers as some customers already start to fill their warehouses in October and November in order to secure their goods. Expansion of warehouse space Logistics companies may need, in the short term, to rent space to handle shipments during these peaks of activity.In our case, we have this area well covered. We have facilities with a surface area of more than 3,000 m2 and a height of 9.20 metres distributed in a large warehouse in Banyoles. Order tracking Having a good technological system is essential. That is why at Transports Porqueres we provide our clients with the "Route tracking" system through our Client Area. This consists of monitoring the delivery by receiving data in real time, allowing the customer to see the status of their delivery when and where they want. On-time delivery Details such as punctuality in the delivery of orders make all the difference in today's demanding and competitive market. Of course, there is the possibility of unforeseen circumstances, especially at this time of the year, which can delay an order. It is precisely because of this that we must do all the more reason to do everything in our power to prevent anything beyond our control from happening. That is why anticipating is our best option. In short, from the beginning of November until the end of January is when this workload is most affected. That is why logistics companies have a high degree of foresight, as it can be said that our great advantage lies in anticipating. This, together with good organisation and planning, as we do at Transports Porqueres, allows us to ensure that all orders arrive in perfect condition within the established timeframe. Happy Holidays!

How Christmas affects road transport

We are currently in a complex situation which, in one way or another, has had a global impact on all market sectors. In the case of road freight transport, despite being considered an essential activity, it is also suffering from economic paralysis as a result of the state of alarm. The workload of transport companies has decreased considerably due to the lack of activity of our customers. According to surveys of the 128 hauliers associated with Asetrans (the Girona Transport Business Association), only 22% of the goods transport fleet has been operating normally during the fifth week of the lockdown. According to the director of Asetrans, the majority of transports (70%) that are carried out are of sanitary material, pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs, but even so, their activity has been decreasing and their situation is not much better either, as it is very complicated to obtain return loads and this means that the empty kilometres and waiting times have increased considerably, putting the profitability, viability and continuity of the businesses at risk. This situation leads us to be aware of the lack of exceptional measures, which should be applied immediately, aimed at protecting the business fabric, already around 600,000 jobs in the sector. According to CETM, without this aid, very few hauliers will be able to remain in operation once this health crisis is over. Freight transport companies are a vital element for the economy, and that is why we believe it is important that we all take the necessary measures and work together to get back to work as soon as possible and emerge from this crisis stronger and more aware of the world around us.

How Covid-19 is affecting the road haulage sector

Transportes Porqueres continues its commitment to a more sustainable and efficient future, and renews its fleet with two new Euro-6 tractors. Transportes Porqueres, S.A.U. considers environmental protection as a responsibility. For this reason, commitment to the environment is a priority policy in its present and future business project. One of the fundamental pillars is to maintain the latest generation fleet, renewing the trucks every 4 years in order to reduce CO2 emissions, increase road safety and guarantee respect for its workers. All this provides its customers with a final service based on quality, trust and sustainability. Since 2003, Transportes Porqueres, S.A.U. has had the ISO 14001:2004 environmental certificate issued by AENOR and guarantees its application in all areas of the organisation. In accordance with the regulations, the company transmits its environmental and social commitment to both employees and suppliers in order to guarantee the preservation of the environment for the good of all. On the other hand, the management of Transports Porqueres, S.A.U., in its firm commitment to its environmental policy, keeps its personnel informed of the organisation's obligations, provides them with the necessary resources and ensures their compliance. In addition, it periodically evaluates and reviews its environmental policy to improve its management and application, and extends it to its customers.

Acquisition of two new tractors

When it comes to CMRs, consignment notes and transport control documents, many people are still surprised that they are still handled on paper and not digitally. The exchange of paper documents is a contagion risk for all employees who have to handle paper, and the standardisation of the "virtualisation" of documents will be a breakthrough for the industry, in addition to the many advantages such as environmental preservation, process optimisation, transparency within the supply chain and traceability. The difference between the paper document and the electronic document is that in the electronic document there is a trusted third party who manages the data in the cloud, where all the information is uploaded as it is produced and, from the moment the document is signed, the data is frozen. This is an essential document, as it allows centralising and sharing the information that the company has with respect to a client or supplier but, however much technology has advanced, this management is still done on paper to this day. There are many of us who are in favour of promoting the digitalisation of road transport and thanks to this, the exceptional situation we are experiencing as a result of COVID-19, which several business associations of shippers (Aeutransmer and Transprime), hauliers (Astic, CETM, Fenadismer and Feteia,) and transporters (Astic, CETM, Fenadismer and Feteia-Oltra) and freight forwarders, together with the main technological platforms operating in the sector (Pionira, Transfollow, Wanatruck and e-customs), have decided to implement practical measures to promote and generalise the replacement of the traditional physical paper format with the digital format. We hope that this initiative, which has a national scope, will be extended to all EU countries in a uniform way so that all the technological platforms that will soon flourish can work in a single, joint way. At Transports Porqueres, one of our values is constant improvement and the search for innovation in all our day-to-day processes. For this reason, we support the digitalisation of the CMR in order to continue to carry out the same procedures as always, but in a simple, fast, efficient, sustainable and safe way.

The digital transport document is getting closer and closer

On 29th May, Transports Porqueres will attend the 26th Mediterranean Grain Market, which is held at Casa Llotja de Mar in Barcelona. For years, the company has specialised in the agri-food market, has a licence to transport animal feed and has a fleet of moving floor type lorries, tubs and tankers to transport cereal, flour, pulses, dried fruit and nuts and other complementary products. The Mediterranean Grain Exchange is an extraordinary trading day, which is held once a year and brings together more than 500 operators from different countries related to the traffic of cereals and other agri-food products. The Barcelona Grain Exchange is the first in volume of transactions in Spain and the second in Europe. It plays a strategic role in the country's agri-food industry. The cereal trade is Catalonia's third largest export sector, representing almost 14% in value of total Catalan exports and with large increases in recent years.

We will be at the Mediterranean Grain Exchange

<h2>Transports Porqueres already has the ALBO permit adapted to the new law.</h2> To collect and transport waste to the Italian area, it is compulsory to have the ALBO permit, a document authorised and validated by the Italian Ministry of the Environment. Unlike in other EU countries, there is a charge for this permit. For companies already authorised in ALBO, please note that a new law has been passed which makes it compulsory to renew the permit before 15/05/2017. Otherwise it will be automatically cancelled. The renewal of this permit can be done online and involves attaching a series of documents in Italian or in the original language together with a sworn translation into Italian. The documentation to be submitted is: Fiscal data of the company and legal representativeCopy of the company's legal representative's ID cardCriminal CertificateSocial Security CertificateDocumentation for tractors and semi-trailersHave a certified e-mail address or a representative company in Italy.&nbsp; Please note that the cost of the licence has also increased, with the basic taxes to be paid to the Ministry and a variable fee depending on the number of tons to be transported. It is important to know that the renewal does not admit any change. Think carefully before sending it in, because any change is an extra cost. At Transports Porqueres, we have already updated the licence for our entire fleet. If you have any queries or need us to help you process it, please do not hesitate to contact us.

New law on transporting waste to Italy

REGULATION (EU) 2020/698 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 25 May 2020 laying down specific and temporary measures in the field of road transport following the outbreak of COVID-19 has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. You can consult the entire regulation by clicking here. On the other hand, and to facilitate the work, here is a brief summary of the measures that we consider most significant: Initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers: - The validity is extended for a period of 7 months of the CAP continuous training course, which would have expired or expires between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020. Driving licences (Article 3): - Driving licences which expire between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020 will be extended by 7 months, counting from the expiry date marked on the licence itself.- If a Member State decides not to apply this extension, it may do so after notifying the Commission, but in no case shall it hinder the cross-border activities of any economic operator or person having benefited from the derogations provided for in the previous paragraph. Tachographs (Article 4): - Periodic inspections of tachographs to be carried out between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 shall be carried out no later than 6 months after the date on which the inspection is due to take place.- Where a driver requests the renewal of the driver card between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020, the competent authorities shall issue the driver card at the latest 2 months after receipt of the request.- If a new driver card is requested due to damage to the driver card between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020, the competent authority shall issue a new driver card at the latest 2 months after receipt of the request. The driver may continue to drive until he receives the new card, provided that he can prove that when his card was damaged, he returned it to the competent authority and a replacement was requested.&nbsp;- In the event of damage, malfunctioning, loss or theft of the driver card, the driver shall:(a) at the start of the journey, print out the details of the vehicle he is driving, stating:(i) the data enabling him to be identified (surname and forename, driver card or driving licence number), accompanied by his signature; and(ii) the periods referred to in Article 34(5)(b)(ii), (iii) and (iv);(b) at the end of the journey, print out the data corresponding to the periods of time recorded by the tachograph, recording any periods spent on other work, availability and rest since the printout made at the beginning of the journey, where these periods have not been recorded by the tachograph, and include in this document data allowing his identification (name, driver card or driving licence number), accompanied by his signature.- If a Member State decides not to apply this extension, it may do so after notifying the Commission, but in no case shall it hinder the cross-border activities of any economic operator or person who has benefited from the derogations provided for in the previous paragraph. Technical Inspection of Vehicles (Article 5): - Les ITVs que en principi vençudes entre l'1 de febrer de 2020 i el 31 d'agost de 2020, es consideraran ampliades per un període de 7 mesos.- If a Member State decides not to apply the above, it may do so with prior notification to the Commission, but in no case will it hinder the cross-border activities of any economic operator or person that has availed itself of the exceptions provided for in the previous paragraph. Common rules concerning the conditions to be complied with to pursue the occupation of road transport operator (Article 6): - When a transport undertaking does not meet the financial capacity requirement in the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 September 2020, the deadline may be increased by Member States to 12 months instead of 6 months.- If it has been established by the Authority as of 28 May that a transport undertaking does not comply with the financial capacity requirement and a deadline has already been set for this to be the case, the competent authority may extend the deadline, not exceeding 12 months and if the deadline has not expired as of 28 May. Common rules for access to the international road haulage market (Article 7): - Community licences that expire between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 shall be deemed to be extended for a period of 6 months. Authentic copies will be valid.- The validity of driver attestations that expire between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 shall be deemed to be extended for a period of 6 months.- If a Member State decides not to apply the above, it may do so with prior notification to the Commission, but in no case will it hinder the cross-border activities of any economic operator or person who has availed themselves of the exceptions provided for in the previous paragraph.

New measures in the field of road transport

On Saturday 14th July, following the annual tradition, the Saint Christopher Festival was held in Banyoles. Saint Christopher, patron saint of automobiles and protector of travel, has been venerated for centuries in Catalonia. During the day, lorries, cars, motorbikes and bicycles are paraded in front of various churches in the Països Catalans to be blessed and thus enjoy the saint's protection throughout the year. St. Christopher's Day in Banyoles is organised by the St. Christopher's Festival Committee. Among the activities that took place were the gathering at the La Draga Sports Pavilion, the departure of the festival committee led by this year's flag bearer - Transjorman 1513 SL -, the mass in honour of the patron saint, the parade of vehicles around the pond, the sardana dance in the Plaça Major and finally the brotherhood dinner where prizes and badges were handed out to the participants. All the drivers of Transports Porqueres worked together to decorate the fleet of lorries and between them they all mounted a float on one of the tractors. This year they decorated it with a restored antique wagon, as a symbol of the beginning of road transport, surrounded by plants and flowers and playing music to liven up the parade around the pond. The result was a great success, as a very good atmosphere was created between colleagues and their families, enjoying the whole day between meals, partying and teamwork. Finally, at the brotherhood dinner, which was held with all the transporters of the region, the work well done and the team spirit of the drivers was reflected. Transports Porqueres won first prize for the best decorated individual lorry and fourth prize at fleet level.<img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/Whats_App_Image_2018_07_16_at_19_45_46_6096ffdf95.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp-Image-2018-07-16-at-19.45.46.jpeg"><img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/Whats_App_Image_2018_07_16_at_19_39_52_0846c14e9c.jpeg" alt="WhatsApp-Image-2018-07-16-at-19.39.52.jpeg"><img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/IMG_20180714_173646_b0df93fb5b.jpeg" alt="IMG_20180714_173646.jpeg"><img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/IMG_20180715_003303_0796736160.jpeg" alt="IMG_20180715_003303.jpeg">

Saint Cristobal 2018

Road transport&nbsp;is one of the most widely used methods for the transport of goods, especially for short-distance journeys within the same country, but it is also recurrent for international transport. It is characterised by its flexibility, speed, traceability, and immediacy, as the key is the&nbsp;rapid dispatch&nbsp;of any goods to any destination, door to door. This type of transport makes it possible to move practically any type of goods thanks to its&nbsp;versatility&nbsp;and&nbsp;adaptationto each type of product. Although it is not always the cheapest, it is one of the most profitable and popular options thanks to Spain's extensive road network. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">Reliability</h2>Two of the most important factors for organisations and customers is the certainty of knowing that the goods they ordered will arrive at the agreed date, time, and place. If the distribution company does not deliver,&nbsp;confidencediminishes, which is why reliability and flexibility are key characteristics for the correct operation and subsequent positive assessment of the service. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">Adaptability</h2>Logistics companies must adapt to changing&nbsp;market&nbsp;trends and fashions in order to be able to meet the wishes and expectations of the different types of customers that make up their network, both in terms of the services they offer and the variable demand for professionals and vehicles needed to carry out the transports. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">Immediacy</h2>Compared to rail, air and sea transport, road transport is the&nbsp;fastest&nbsp;of all. When it comes to urgent orders, it shortens all pick-up and delivery times, especially during festive periods such as Black Friday or Christmas. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">Competitive cost</h2>As with immediacy, the&nbsp;capital&nbsp;cost of road transport is lower compared to the other transports mentioned above. Likewise, this type of distribution currently has the possibility of hiring fleets of trucks through leasing or renting, which allow for competitive prices and excellent value for money. Likewise, according to a study carried out by the&nbsp;Ministry of Public Works, 94.3% of internal goods traffic in Spain is carried out by road transport, reaching 24.3 million tonnes distributed. Undoubtedly, this type of transport is the most&nbsp;popular&nbsp;among distribution companies thanks to the countless advantages it brings with it.

Characteristics of road transport

The Council of Ministers has just approved two Royal Decrees modifying, on the one hand, both the General Road Traffic Regulations and the General Vehicle Regulations and, on the other, the General Driver Regulations. If you want to find out about all the changes, how they affect you and when they come into force, don't miss this new article we have prepared for you. <h2>Minimum age requirement (already in force)</h2> The Royal Decree reforming the General Regulations on Drivers introduces changes to the initial qualification and continuous training of drivers engaged in the carriage of goods or passengers by road.For goods hauliers, the minimum age has been reduced from 21 to 18, with the requirement to have passed the Professional Aptitude Certificate (CAP), which lasts 280 hours.In the case of aspiring coach drivers, from the age of 18 they may drive without passengers and within a maximum radius of 50 km, and from the age of 21 and having passed the CAP, they may carry passengers in the vehicle. <h2>Electric vans (already in force)</h2> From now on, there will also be changes for those who have had their driving licence B (car licence) for at least 2 years. If they meet these requirements, they will be able to drive electric vans with a maximum authorised mass of 4,250 kg, i.e. 750 kg more than before.This is to compensate for the extra weight of the battery pack incorporated in these zero-emission vehicles. <h2>Increased accessibility of driving licences (already in force)</h2> Normally, people with problems associated with the locomotor system are not eligible for driving licences for lorries or buses. The locomotor system is made up of muscles, bones and joints and, together with the nervous system, is responsible for the movement of our body.With these new modifications and after an individualised medical and mechanical assessment, it is now possible for people affected by this condition to apply for these licences. <h2>Reduction of the maximum speed in the city (in force from 11/05/2021)</h2> The reform of the Road Traffic Regulations on the maximum speed allowed in urban areas. Thus, the maximum speed allowed on streets with a single roadway and pavement platform is limited to 20 km/h. On the other hand, on roads with a single lane in each direction, it is permitted to drive up to 30 km/h, with the possibility of increasing this to 50 km/h, provided that the local councils so decide and indicate. Roads with two or more lanes in each direction maintain the 50 km/h limit. The aim of this reduction is to respond to the new forms of mobility that are spreading in cities (scooters, bicycles, etc.). According to a study carried out by the WHO in 2011, the risk of being hit by a car is reduced by at least five times if the impacting vehicle is travelling at 30 km/h instead of 50 km/h. <h2>Driver registration (in force as of 11/05/2021)</h2> This new reform will allow passenger and goods transport companies to access the Driver Register online. This will make it easier to know whether or not workers' driving licences are valid or not by means of a colour code: green if they are valid or red if they are not.

New amendments to the R.G. of circulation, the R. G. of vehicles and the R. G. of drivers.

<h2>The planting of five trees will mean the fixation of 5.19 tonnes of CO2.</h2> Transportes Porqueres is participating in the "One Scania, One Tree" programme with the acquisition of five new tractors for its fleet. The "One Scania, One Tree" project consists of the creation of a public green space called the "Scania Forest", which will be planted with the same number of trees as the number of Scania vehicles sold on the Iberian peninsula during the life of the project. The forest will be protected and maintained for a period of at least 100 years. Transportes Porqueres, as a company that is aware of and committed to environmental conservation, wants to do our bit to reduce the environmental impact. The acquisition of the new tractors has allowed the planting of five trees with an estimated fixation of 5.19 tons of CO2 during the period of 100 years. The trees can be visited at any time at the geographical point 40º 20' 41.43 "N 3º 32' 49.41 "W of the Scania Forest. This decision is a commitment to a better environment and a more sustainable future.

Planting five trees for a more sustainable future

Once a company has the perfect idea, the right product, knows what its customer's needs are and everything fits perfectly, the same question always comes up: how to reach these customers? From small businesses and startups to the most consolidated large companies, solving external logistics properly is a major need to ensure the future of the company. All companies consider how to solve logistics issues, whether by contracting a quality logistics service, or trying to rely on their own resources. As we are aware of the importance of the logistics process and we want your company to stand out from the competition, at Transports Porqueres we explain the reasons why it is worth contracting a distribution service. Optimisation of resources Often with the idea of saving costs or with the intention of having greater control over their product, many companies try to carry out as much of their own logistics processes as possible. Generally, companies spend most of their time on product development and market positioning, so that tasks such as logistics are relegated to the background, and if you are not specialised in this area, you have fewer resources and therefore end up making losses. This is due to the fact that companies divert both human and economic resources from their core business - from the basic competence that makes them different and places them in the market - to attend to tasks in which they are not specialised, they often have less logistical means and, therefore, are less efficient. Delivery security and quality For customers, the delivery of products is of the utmost importance, and having a supplier that meets the established deadlines is an essential requirement. As we mentioned at the beginning, there is little point in having the perfect product if it cannot be placed where the customer needs it and when they require it. By outsourcing this process, you ensure that you have a supplier that is rigorous both in terms of delivery deadlines and the safety and good condition of the goods transported. In short, by working with a company such as Transports Porqueres, you will be able to certify that the entire flow, from the request, the processing, the management, the control of the goods, the preparation of the work plan, etc. has the necessary guarantees. Cost savings, reduced workload, support and experience...Finding the perfect partner for your external logistics will be one of the best investments you can make.

What are the advantages of outsourcing logistics?

<h2>Restrictions on the circulation of general goods on the roads of Catalonia.</h2> Every year the Catalan Traffic Service provides a summary of the traffic restrictions. Below is the 2017 resolution for vehicles transporting general goods: Els vehicles de tot tipus o conjunts de vehicles que superen els 7.500kg de massa màxima autoritzada (MMA) o massa màxima del conjunt (MMC), respectivament, destinats als transport de mercaderies en general, no poden circular per les vies públiques interurbes de Catalunya a les dates, horàries i trams de carreteres indicats als annexes B1 i B2 de la resolució. On the other hand, if the vehicles are travelling through Catalonia or on long-distance routes (more than three counties), they will have to use mainly the network of European routes or the motorways, dual carriageways or segregated roads available. If this is not possible, they may use the remaining road network, avoiding in any case, county and local roads. Restrictions Calendar Catalonia 2017 Annex B1 and B2 For more detailed information, please click on the following link: <a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/545e45239c65ba18fa1cc021e/files/80408656-b48a-41ba-b22a-3c6d7f1163a0/2017_CASTELLA_restricciones.03.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://gallery.mailchimp.com/545e45239c65ba18fa1cc021e/files/80408656-b48a-41ba-b22a-3c6d7f1163a0/2017_CASTELLA_restricciones.03.pdf</a>

Restrictions in Catalonia 2017

A logistics warehouse is a space where goods are received, stored, handled and prepared for shipment, among other actions, always depending on the type of activity that the company carries out.In order to have the most efficient space possible, it must be modernized and correctly adapted to the activity carried out. Both things are part of the correct operation and profitability. The latter is achieved thanks to a good design of the warehouse plan, which is obtained by dividing the space by areas and signaling the work areas that have more traffic to avoid saturation. In Transports Porqueres we have next to our offices a 3.000m2 warehouse digitized with QR code that allows us to store a large amount of products.&nbsp; When renting a warehouse it is essential to take into account the following factors: the type of goods, the documentation and the type of transport - whether it is national or international. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. Type of goods</h2>A warehouse, like a house or a supermarket, is divided into zones, which will vary depending on the type of goods the company deals with: frozen products, flammable, short or long stay, perishables...; and how it deals with them: whether it requires vehicles to move pallets or whether it is dealing with smaller equipment, such as boxes of a more standard size. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. Documentation</h2>Having the right documentation is one of the most important steps in managing a logistics warehouse. To carry out this process, a team is required to monitor the supply chain, handling, movement of goods and the condition of the shelves. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. Type of transport&nbsp;</h2>If the activity carried out by the company is of a national nature, many loading and unloading areas will be needed so that the vehicles entering and leaving the warehouse, usually vans, can move easily around the premises.If, on the other hand, the activity is of an international nature, the vehicles required will be of a larger volume, such as road transport trailers. Docks are commonly used for loading and unloading. A logistics warehouse is a space that allows companies to control their merchandise and its management, by facilitating the circulation and the entry and exit of products in an orderly and monitored manner. There are several factors involved and, if not well managed, it can be a difficult process to handle. &nbsp;If your company has warehousing needs, do not hesitate to contact us to see how we can help you.

What factors come into play in a logistics warehouse?

Last Saturday, 6th July, the Fiesta de San Cristóbal was held for another year. The festival is held in honour of St. Christopher, a character to whom tradition attributes to have provided services to travellers and pedestrians, becoming their patron saint.He has been venerated for centuries in Catalonia. During the day, lorries, cars, motorbikes and bicycles pass in front of various churches in the Països Catalans to be blessed and thus enjoy the saint's protection throughout the year. Saint Christopher's Day in Banyoles is organised every year by the Saint Christopher's Festival Committee. The most important activities of this day are: the concentration in the Sports Pavilion of the Dredge, the departure of the festival commission led by the pendonista, the mass in honour of the patron, the parade of vehicles around the pond, the sardanes in the main square of the village and finally the dinner of brotherhood where the prizes and badges were distributed by the participants. In the morning, most of the drivers of Transportes Porqueres and their families met for breakfast together and decorated the fleet of lorries. This year we chose to decorate all the trucks with banners and on the lead tractor, and we set up a small stage on the fifth wheel to play live music. The live music was provided by the company Transnovitx, SL. Transportes Porqueres' transport partner. The owner of Trannovitx, Martin Rodriguez, better known as ex-drummer of Sangtraït, played the drums together with the bass player Toni. This allowed us to liven up the parade around the pond where they ended up in the centre of Banyoles giving a mini concert. Also, along the way, a singer and a flute player were encouraged to take the stage as they were passing around the area. To end the day, a brotherhood dinner was held with all the transporters of the region. This year, once again, Transports Porqueres won the prize for originality for its trucks and float, but the most important thing was that we enjoyed a day with colleagues and family, with laughter, fun and fellowship.<img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/St_Cristofol_6_4098f1a142.jpeg" alt="St-Cristofol-6.jpeg"><img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/St_Cristofol_1_5a3333a9b7.jpeg" alt="St-Cristofol-1.jpeg"><img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/St_Cristofol_4_4179303c10.jpeg" alt="St-Cristofol-4.jpeg"><img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/St_Cristofol_3_dc0e41f545.jpeg" alt="St-Cristofol-3.jpeg"><img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/St_Cristofol_5_8313e3da02.jpeg" alt="St-Cristofol-5.jpeg"><img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/St_cristofol_2_57f23a6274.jpeg" alt="St-cristofol-2.jpeg">

Saint Cristobal 2019

On&nbsp;10 July&nbsp;we celebrate&nbsp;St. Christopher's Day, also known as the patron saint of drivers, although this was not always the case. The tradition began with Saint Christopher as the patron saint of muleteers and, later, of&nbsp;lorrydrivers, until he became established as the host of hauliers. Likewise, and not many people are aware of this, St. Christopher is also the patron saint of giants and, therefore, the patron saint of the bearers of giants. His name means&nbsp;"Christ-bearer"; his beginnings date back to the 3rd century A.D. and his death occurred at the hands of the Emperor of Rome, Decius. He was a porter, i.e., his job was to carry people from one side of a river to the other.&nbsp; Legend has it that one day he carried a boy whom he did not know, but who, during the crossing, began to grow into a very heavy young man who made his task much more complicated than it should have been. When he arrived, he said to him: "You have not only had the weight of the world on your shoulders, but the man who created it. I am Christ, your king, whom you have served in this office".&nbsp;&nbsp;This, together with the meaning of his name, made him very popular among the&nbsp;carriers&nbsp;until he became Saint Christopher, and even some poets such as García Lorca and Machado have dedicated some of their verses to him. He is also known as the&nbsp;"guardian angel"&nbsp;on the road because he represents the prudence of a driver at the wheel, and many hauliers keep him in mind in their vehicles with figures, holy cards, or bracelets. Hundreds of professionals dedicate 10 July to their patron saint with lorry parades in different parts of the country, such as Segovia, Valencia and Banyoles.&nbsp; Parishes in&nbsp;Barcelona, for their part, pay homage to him with vehicle blessing ceremonies. In fact, the patron saint of motorists has a 500-year-old chapel dedicated to him in Carrer de Regomir, which commemorates a celebration in his honour. During the day, all kinds of drivers, from&nbsp;lorry drivers&nbsp;to bicycle riders, pass by seeking blessing through the sprinkling of their transport with holy water by the priest, who hands them a holy card and a sprig of lavender. At&nbsp;Transport Porqueres&nbsp;we celebrate this day in style, as we have been doing for many years, with our families and friends; we get together to spend the day, decorate our lorries, and take part in the parade to commemorate the patron saint of drivers.

Saint Christopher 2022: Patron saint of drivers

<h2>NEW FEATURES OF THE REGULATION ON DRIVING TIME AND REST PERIODS FOR PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS.</h2> Today the new regulation comes into force which regulates the maximum driving time and rest periods for professional drivers during their working day (weekly) as well as the minimum breaks they must take. This was made official by the Journal of the European Union on 31 July, which concludes the 3 years of processing, after assessing the efficiency of the application of the current regulations in the road transport sector throughout the European Union. <img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/33894230_l_scaled_361bf644dc.jpeg" alt="Chofer conduciendo su camión en su jornada laboral."> <h2>WHAT IS NEW IN THIS REGULATION?</h2> - In order to improve the performance of international transport operations, the provisions of the normal weekly rest periods have been adapted. Thus, by complying with the rules, the worker will be able to enjoy this normal weekly rest period at home. This is done in the following way: by taking two consecutive reduced weekly rest periods of at least 24 hours, reaching 48 hours. Taking into account that the following 4 consecutive weeks a minimum of 4 weekly rest periods must be taken, two normal ones of at least 45 hours. In order to know whether we are talking about international transport or not, it must be taken into account whether the driver starts the two consecutive reduced weekly rest periods outside the Member State where his company is established and outside the driver's place of residence.- Following this improvement, an exception is added on the circumstances in which a driver may exceed the daily and weekly driving time by a total of one hour, in order to be able to reach his home or place of business and have the weekly rest period.- Furthermore, he may exceed the driving time by up to two hours when he has taken an uninterrupted break of 30 minutes immediately after the additional driving to reach his home or place of business in order to have the normal weekly rest period.- It is important to clarify that these exceptions must be reported manually on the record sheet or on the printout of the recording equipment.- If driving time has been exceeded, it must be compensated by an equivalent rest period, together with another rest period in the following three weeks.- It is also specified that transport companies must organise the routes so that a driver is not more than 4 consecutive weeks away from his place of business or home. On his return, he is to start his normal weekly rest period or weekly rest of more than 45 hours.The company will be responsible for documenting the way in which this measure is complied with on a mandatory basis, keeping the documentation to be presented if required by the control authorities.- In order to improve and promote social progress, the place where the normal weekly rest period (of at least 48 hours or more) will be taken by carriers must be specified. It should be ensured that it will be in appropriate conditions, outside the cab, and at the company's expense.Driver driving his truck. <img src="http://217.182.71.123/cms/uploads/post_image_1774d8559b.jpg" alt="post_image.jpg"> In short, these are the main changes in the current regulations, which are due to be implemented from today, 20 August. These changes are aimed at ensuring the rights and rest times of drivers, as well as their road safety during long journeys and for other road users. If you want to know more, click here to see all the new regulations.

All about what's new in the Driving and Resting Time Regulations 2020

<h2>Transports Porqueres celebrates 55 years of history with the incorporation of the third generation of the family.</h2> In the 1940s, Joan Ferrer i Company, a resident of Usall (Porqueres) and the eldest son of a family of masoveros, began transporting firewood from the forest to Banyoles with the family cart. He did this while working as a farm labourer, until in May 1960 one of his customers suggested that he should devote himself entirely to transport and sold him his lorry. Buying that second-hand lorry, Joan and his wife, Rosenda Mach, started the family business. With a lot of effort and dedication, Joan expanded the business until he had six lorries. His son, Salvador Ferrer, helped his father from a very young age. In January 1986, the company Transports Porqueres. S.A., incorporating the second generation: Salvador and his wife, Rosa Isern. These were times of change and the young couple faced many challenges, which they overcame and strengthened, always with the support of their closest family members. From the beginning of Transports Porqueres until today, the market has been changing and the company has been able to adapt to it, always betting on new technologies, quality and the environment. Currently, the third generation is already working, with a large fleet of trucks and a wide range of collaborators, where, together with the human team, they coordinate and carry out the work to offer a good service to the client. Transportes Porqueres specialises in the transport of bulk and palletised goods throughout the European Community, carrying out transport based on trust. On 5 November 2015 the Chamber of Commerce of Girona distinguished the 55 years of Transports Porqueres in the 36th edition of the Distinctions to Historical Establishments. You can find more information at the following link: <a href="http://www.cambragirona.cat/la-cambra-de-comerc-de-girona-guardona-18-establiments-historics-de-la-demarcacio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.cambragirona.cat/la-cambra-de-comerc-de-girona-guardona-18-establiments-historics-de-la-demarcacio/</a>

Transports Porqueres is commemorated as a historical establishment

When choosing a&nbsp;freight transport&nbsp;method, it is important to first know what the different types are, and their advantages and disadvantages to ensure that deliveries are on time and cost-effective in order to increase the&nbsp;valueperceived by the end customer. Depending on the activity of the company, the shipment of cargo will be more inclined towards one type of transport or another. Among the most commonly used options are international road, sea, rail and air transport. In addition, a number of&nbsp;factors&nbsp;must be clear for such transport: goods, speed, cost and distance. The goods and the distance determine, on certain occasions, which type of transport is necessary due to the characteristics and limitations of the load; speed is becoming an increasingly important factor, as the client values the effectiveness of delivery positively; and cost savings are always present in companies for greater&nbsp;optimisation&nbsp;of resources. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">International road transport</h2>This is one of the most popular in Spain - at 76% usage - according to a 2016 study by the Spanish Logistics Centre thanks to the&nbsp;speed and versatility&nbsp;of the fleet of trucks that can be used depending on the type and size of goods being dealt with. It is one of the most economical and versatile options, as it is suitable for both short and long distances, although the inconvenience of road traffic can arise. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">Maritime transport</h2>With regard to maritime transport, this is the second most used at 21%, especially at the international level. Although it tends to be a slower type of transport - especially due to the weather - its cost is&nbsp;cheaper&nbsp;due to the lack of urgency (the price fluctuates depending on the weight transported). As with road transport, maritime transport also has a wide variety of vessels for different types of goods, but its traceability is more limited. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">Rail transport</h2>Only 1% of goods transported in Spain are transported by rail, but it is one of the most popular means of international transport. It is perfect for&nbsp;long distances&nbsp;and is often used as intermodal transport as a link between other types of vehicles such as aircraft or ships thanks to its standard containers. It is not a route that is used when there is urgency, but it is suitable for long distances, especially for bulk cargo. <h2 class="ql-align-justify"> </h2> This type of transport is more commonly used for&nbsp;high-value&nbsp;goods, which normally require insurance. Its volume, weight and urgency determine the price of the transfer -which is the highest of all-, but it is worth highlighting its speed: between 24 and 48 hours. However, one of the most notorious drawbacks is the need for a nearby airport. There is also&nbsp;multimodal&nbsp;transport, which consists of combining two or more transports to reach the final customer or supplier. It is an efficient and fast option, although its costs can change depending on several factors such as the goods and the distance.

How do I know which type of freight transport is right for me?

Road transport&nbsp;is one of the most common ways of moving goods from one point to another, either because of the economic savings involved, the permissiveness in making changes to the route, or the ability to track the shipment, which is an&nbsp;advantage&nbsp;for both the company and the customer. Although this type of transport can reach any part of the world, it is most ideal at the&nbsp;national&nbsp;or attached territory level, and not so popular at the&nbsp;international&nbsp;level because of its high charges and long waiting time. Also, the latter is usually discarded in cases of urgent shipments, high tariffs, or special types of goods. The advantages of this type of transport range from&nbsp;low prices, agility, speed, door-to-door service, easy paperwork, to the ability to transport more delicate or dangerous goods. However, it is also important to take into account their lower load capacity, the possible alteration of their&nbsp;route&nbsp;schedule due to traffic or their high level of accidents compared to other methods of transport due to the road. <h1 class="ql-align-justify">Tips for safe road freight transport</h1>The following recommendations are essential for the safe transport of goods by road: <h2 class="ql-align-justify">1. Check the vehicle</h2>Before and after any journey, it is important to carry out&nbsp;regular checks&nbsp;of the lorry to ensure that it is in good working order and to avoid as far as possible any accidents or accidents that may occur on the road or in nature. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">2.&nbsp;Compliance with driving times</h2>This advice goes hand in hand with the previous one, but in relation to the care of the haulier. The driver must ensure that he stops the vehicle according to the times established by the&nbsp;General Directorate of Traffic&nbsp;(DGT) and whenever he suffers symptoms of tiredness or exhaustion. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">3. Vigilance at the wheel</h2>This warning is aimed at the driver's&nbsp;behaviour&nbsp;behind the wheel, who should not, under any circumstances, carry out any activity - such as using a mobile phone - while the vehicle is moving and circulating, as he should focus all his attention on the road.&nbsp; <h2 class="ql-align-justify">4.&nbsp;Route planning</h2>Planning a route in advance can ensure greater safety for the&nbsp;transporter&nbsp;and a faster journey, as well as guaranteeing an organisation that positively affects the management and operation of the company's activity. Undoubtedly, road haulage is the transport of goods that has the most factors in its favour thanks to its agility and&nbsp;economy&nbsp;and, if carried out correctly, is one of the most effective and popular.

Tips for transporting goods by road

By-products of animal origin not intended for human consumption –also known as&nbsp;SANDACH— are waste from food production processes with animal origin, either parts of the animal or the whole animal itself, intended for&nbsp;human consumption. SANDACH includes products such as animal carcasses, fishing bait, meat, fish and bone meal, hunting trophies and animal fats, among others. Basically, materials that are generated in&nbsp;primary livestock production&nbsp;and in the animal food&nbsp;processing industries. Those institutions dealing with SANDACH must have the relevant register -which will catalogue all the movements that take place- and must be controlled by the Competent Authority. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">SANDACH - Category 1</h2>This category corresponds to&nbsp;waste containing parts of the body of an animal&nbsp;–or a whole animal– which is suspected of being infected with infectious diseases or germs, which has been slaughtered as a health precaution, which has belonged to a zoo or circus, which belongs to a group intended for experimentation or from which prohibited substances have been removed. This waste is disposed of by incineration or other methods or is destined for processing plants where it is processed and subsequently incinerated. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">SANDACH - Category 2</h2>This group contains&nbsp;by-products collected from manufacturing wastewater&nbsp;such as sludge, by-products exceeding authorised levels, products of animal origin declared unfit, by-products containing residues of contaminating substances, animals imported from third countries that do not comply with restrictions, and animals that have died naturally and have not been slaughtered. These by-products also tend to be incinerated as long as, after processing, they are not used in organic fertilisers and soil improvers or for other technical uses, except in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">SANDACH - Category 3</h2>This class consists of&nbsp;lower risk waste, i.e. animals or parts thereof that have been slaughtered and may be ingested by humans, but are not normally intended for human consumption. They do not usually show signs of communicable diseases and generally consist of blood, feathers, bones, skins, etc. They are not usually intended for consumption due to packaging or manufacturing defects, or for commercial reasons. Fish from industrial facilities or caught at sea for fishmeal production also belong to this category. This waste can be processed, incinerated or transformed in technical plants and used as raw material in petfood factories. The legal framework regulating animal by-products not intended for human consumption –SANDACH– at EU level is&nbsp;Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009.

What is SANDACH and what is it for?

A moving floor is a hydraulically powered loading and unloading system for moving bulk material and palletised products.Over the years it has become a favourite in the sector, thanks to its versatility of use and its large loading capacity. That is why at Transports Porqueres we manage more than 70 moving floor trucks that can transport bulk materials of large volume (100 m3) and low specific weight.The way hauliers work has been made easier, as the need to use a forklift to load and unload bulk cargo has been eliminated. In addition, the time spent handling goods in and out of the trailer has been reduced to only 8-10 minutes of the working day.Moving floor trailers are able to unload loose cargo without having to tip the trailer, as is often the case with other unloading systems, which is beneficial in avoiding having to handle the material twice. <h2>How it works</h2>A moving floor consists of groups of narrow aluminium boards welded to the chassis in multiples of 3 (commonly 21 slats) that move forward and backward, connected to move forward and backward either in unison or alternately. When they move together, the load moves in the direction desired by the operator.If a moving floor is provided on a semi-trailer, it may include a movable front wall with a rubber flap at the bottom that extends to the ground, or a movable tarpaulin at the front of the semi-trailer bed on which the material is loaded. This makes it easier to empty the entire trailer, and even helps to keep the semi-trailer cleaner. <h2>Advantatges</h2>Thanks to its exclusively self-welded frame, the moving floor is known as one of the most stable structures on the market. In addition, it provides an optimal balance between efficiency and ease of use, making it one of the most cost-effective solutions for loading and unloading heavy goods.As a result of its rapid development, more and more tailor-made options and unique designs are becoming available, making it easier to use and more convenient to use, contributing to a better application in a wider variety of vehicles.

What is a moving floor and what are its advantages?

First of all, it is important to determine what is considered raw material and what is not. Raw materials are those goods whose purpose is to be transformed during a production process until they become a consumer product; wood and minerals being clear examples of these. They are not found everywhere, which is why their transportation is so essential and important. Such transportation does not always take place under the same circumstances, but depending on the type of merchandise being treated, its transfer will be more delicate. To learn a little more about their treatment, it is important to know that there are two different types of raw materials: renewable and non-renewable. The first category includes materials that come from nature, such as animals (wool, meat, fish, etc.) and vegetables (grains, fruit, wood), which require constant regeneration. With regard to the second category, these are defined by their being the consequence of geological processes, i.e., by their capacity to rehabilitate themselves without human help. Non-renewable raw materials include metallic materials -such as aluminum-, minerals -such as stone or sand-, materials used in chemistry -such as salt- and energy materials -such as oil-. <h2 class="ql-align-justify">1. Transport of renewable raw materials</h2>As these are delicate and perishable materials, their transportation must comply with a series of cleaning and preservation requirements, such as the need in some cases for the vehicle to be refrigerated or isothermal and for the interior of the vehicle to be easily disinfected.&nbsp; <h2 class="ql-align-justify">2. Transport of non-renewable raw materials</h2>As for non-renewable raw materials, some of them are dangerous -such as oil-, so it is necessary to follow a series of rules during their transportation, such as the route, which must always be far from large population centers to avoid possible accidents and to have the ADR permit if the goods require it. The responsibility of the load is not only of the driver, but also of the sender and the receiver, who must provide the correct control documents for its guarantee. As a consequence of all this, it is important to take into account the type of cargo and the transport conditions in order to consolidate safety during the journey and its correct delivery.

How is the transportation of raw materials?

<h2>Restrictions on the circulation of general goods on the roads of Catalonia.</h2> Every year the Catalan Transit Service provides the brochure of the restrictions on circulation, below we detail the resolution of 2018 for vehicles transporting general goods: Vehicles of all types or combinations of vehicles exceeding 7,500kg maximum authorised mass (MMA) or maximum mass of the combination (MMC), respectively, intended for the transport of general goods, may not circulate on interurban public roads in Catalonia on the dates, times and road sections indicated in annexes B1 and B2 of the resolution. On the other hand, if vehicles are travelling through Catalonia or on long-distance journeys (more than three counties), they will have to use mainly the network of European routes or the motorways, dual carriageways or segregated roads available. If this is not possible, they may use the remaining road network, avoiding county and local roads. Calendar Restrictions Catalonia 2018 Annex B1 and B2 &nbsp; For more detailed information, please click on the following link: Restrictions on the Circulation on Catalonia Roads

Restrictions Catalonia 2018

Out of a total of 191 countries, Spain ranks 27th in terms of exports and 67th in terms of imports. With an increase of 1.54% compared to 2018, throughout 2019 sales to third countries accounted for nearly 25% of Spanish GDP, with France, Germany and Italy being the main destination countries. We find a great variety in terms of exported items: - Vehicles: surpassed only by Germany, Spain is one of the largest automotive producers globally, not only in terms of the vehicles themselves, but also in terms of parts, accessories and various components.- Semi-manufactures: accounting for almost a quarter of total Spanish exports, this sector mainly goes to the destination location of France, Germany and Spain, with chemical products as well as refined petroleum.- Medicines: using 2018 as a base, in which Spain sold 9 billion dollars in this type of product, we are one of the countries with the highest exports in the sector worldwide.- Food and beverages: fruit, vegetables and pulses are the star products exported from this sector to countries such as France, Germany and Italy. As for imports, despite having grown by around 0.5% in 2019, the Spanish trade balance remains unbalanced as exports are still lower than imports. The main sectors that have Spain as a destination are the following: - Energy products: the import of oil, as well as natural gas or liquid fuel, continues to grow, coming from countries such as Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Mexico.- Capital goods/machinery: this sector represents the largest financial deficit for the country, second only to energy products. Imports are mainly from China, Turkey, Italy... for capital goods; and Germany, China and France for machinery.- Raw materials: Spain is the 14th largest importer of steel in the world. This is due to the need for steel for the manufacture of both automobiles and weapons in the Iberian territory. Thus, by recalculating products and sectors, we see that most exports go to France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom, with cars, refined oil, medicines, spare parts and delivery trucks; compared to imports to Germany, France, China, Italy and the United States, which are made up of oil (crude and refined), spare parts and petroleum gas. As we said, the trade balance continues to be negative, since despite the increase in sales, these continue to be lower than purchases.

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New amendments to the R.G. of circulation, the R. G. of vehicles and the R. G. of drivers.

All about what's new in the Driving and Resting Time Regulations 2020

NEW FEATURES OF THE REGULATION ON DRIVING TIME AND REST PERIODS FOR PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS.

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