Strategic Shifts in Construction Logistics: Van Elle’s £2.9M Fleet Sale

The recent announcement that Van Elle, one of the UK’s leading ground-engineering contractors, has sold its entire heavy goods vehicle (HGV) fleet in a £2.9 million deal is more than a headline, it’s a clear signal that the construction industry is entering a new era of operational efficiency and outsourcing.

Streamlining to Focus on Core Delivery

The deal sees Van Elle offload its HGV fleet to Nottingham-based specialist Logistics firm Transolva Group, marking the end of an in-house transport model that has served the business for decades. While this move may seem surprising at first glance, it actually reflects a broader industry trend: firms are prioritising core competencies and turning to trusted partners for non-core operations.

Van Elle has made it clear that the focus is now on performance delivery, with logistics being streamlined for efficiency rather than scaled internally. The freed-up capital and reduced overheads will likely contribute to more agile, targeted project delivery in the ground engineering space.

What It Means for the Supply Chain

From our perspective at Strong Group, this development illustrates how important flexibility and outsourced expertise have become. Transport and logistics are critical elements of any construction project but running those functions in-house is increasingly complex, costly, and inefficient without the scale to justify it.

For clients and contractors alike, partnering with reliable logistics providers means fewer delays, better resource management, and more bandwidth to focus on actual project execution. It’s a model we actively support through our network of specialists, ensuring clients have access to logistics talent and solutions as their project demands evolve.

Positioning for Resilience and Growth

This type of strategic offloading is not a sign of contraction, it’s an investment in growth. By streamlining operations, Van Elle is placing itself in a stronger position to scale and deliver in a volatile market. And for businesses across construction, it’s a timely reminder to reassess internal operations and explore smarter, leaner delivery models.

At Strong Group, we regularly support companies making similar decisions, from outsourcing transport management to scaling back on plant operations in favour of specialist contractors. Our team of consultants work side-by-side with businesses to identify the right talent, tools, and service partners for sustainable growth.

The Road Ahead for Logistics in Construction

Logistics will always be a critical cog in the construction machine, but how that cog is managed is shifting. We predict more businesses will follow suit, choosing to partner rather than build logistics in-house, especially in today’s economic climate.

This marks a turning point in how major construction businesses operate and Strong Group is here to help clients navigate that shift with confidence.

Let’s Talk Logistics Strategy

Looking to reassess your operational model or get support with transport logistics in construction? We’re here to help. Call us on: 020 8763 6122 or email us on: info@strong-group.co.uk