TruckandTrackJune2017.indd

52 / 84

Truck and Track June/July 2017 52
PALLET NETWORKS
”
“Following its record-breaking tenth
anniversary year, the Association of Pallet
Networks is pleased to report another
strong start to the year, with UK pallet
network volumes achieving new highs.
The APN’s latest benchmarking statistics of
the UK’s leading pallet network operators
confirm further growth in the sector at the
start of 2017.
Members have been seeing total pallet
volumes exceed 5.9 million pallets for the first quarter of 2017:
these are the highest volumes we’ve ever witnessed! This figure
reveals a growth of 7.2% against the same period of 2016, and is
11% higher than 2015.
There are no signs of the trend abating. In fact, despite a difficult
trading climate, members are seeing an expansion of business
across all their services. Next Day volumes have increased by 7%,
Economy by almost 7.4%. Within the pallet size offer, we’re also
seeing growth: 7%across full pallets, 8.7% for half pallets and 6.5%
for quarter pallet volumes.
Thanks to robust processes and the quality of operations, this surge
in demand hasn’t had a detrimental effect on the quality of the
pallet sector offer: members’ service levels remain high, averaging
97.3% since we began our benchmarking service.
We are also proud of our green credentials, reflected in our trunk
trailer utilisation, which is consistentlyaveragingalmost 80%in the
first quarter of 2017. Furthermore our members are now moving
46.3% greater volume with only 33%more trunk movements than
four years ago.
This all demonstrates why the sector is valued so highly in the
marketplace and the wider economy, both commercially and
environmentally.
The APN will continue to provide financial support to FairFuel UK
in 2017, and is optimistic about its campaigning success. To date
FairFuel UK has been credited with stopping all fuel duty increases
that were planned in this Parliament. We estimate that has saved
our members in the region of £30 million.
However, wemust remember that this saving hasn’t been lining the
pockets of transport operators: it’s been used to meet the demands
of the increased legislation and red tape besetting our industry.
AsourGovernmentembarksupontwoyearsofarduousnegotiations
towork out the terms of Brexit, we have yet to feel the repercussions
of leaving the EU, apart from some uncertainty already in the
labour and currency markets. However, following the June General
Election, we in the Association of Pallet Networks are continuing
to vigorously and single-mindedly support our members’ interests
and champion their importance to the national economy. That will
always remain our focus.
Growth continues for the pallet sector
despite economic uncertainty in the UK
Paul Sanders, Chairman
of the Association of
Pallet Networks
Paul Sanders, Chairman of the Association of Pallet Networks, comments on its
members’ latest operational statistics.
Pall-Ex has announced the opening of a new Northern hub at
Appleton, Warrington. The new facility will complement Pall-
Ex’s existing flagship site at Ellistown, Leics, and see a 400%
increase in pallets moving through the North.
Servicing 19 members across the North of England and Scotland,
the Pall-Ex Northern hub will be operated by the Pall-Ex member
Currie European Transport, at its existing location five minutes
from J20 of the M6, and 12 minutes from the M62.
As part of Pall-Ex’s investment in IT, equipment and staffing at the
Pall-Ex Northern hub, Currie European Transport has trebled the
number of staff employed on the night shift.
KevinBuchanan, ManagingDirector of Pall-Ex, explained: “This new
Northern hub will allow Pall-Ex to process a much larger volume of
freight, benefiting the entire network, as well as the North of the
UK. Trunks from our Northern depots will be processed through the
Northern hub, resulting in reduced travelling costs and improved
operational efficiencies. It’s testament to the strong, growing and
supportive freight network that Pall-Ex is.”
The new Northern hub has the capability to utilise 30,000 ft2
of warehousing space, as well as two acres of available parking
for trucks, and will add to Pall-Ex’s environmental credentials by
reducing the carbon footprints of its members’ fleets.
Stephen Turner, Managing Director of Currie European Transport,
remarked: “As established members of Pall-Ex, we know how
beneficial it is to be a part of such a robust and supportive network.
The North provides a huge opportunity for the logistics sector, with
access to customers demanding a reliable service including next-
day delivery across the UK as standard.
“Taking responsibility for Pall-Ex’s Northern hub will allow us
greater capability to transport freight across the North of the UK
– and will no doubt have a positive impact on providing a quality
service to the whole of the country too.”
The new Pall-Ex facility replaces the previous Northern hub close
to the M6 at Carlisle and will enable greater participation from all
network members northwards of Sheffield.
Kevin Buchanan again: “Over the past few years, Pall-Ex has been
committed to executing a strategic growth plan, and the new
Northern hub is a major part of this.
“We have also invested in other established members, such
as the acquisition of Bowden Logistics in February 2017. This
demonstrates our commitment to creating centres of excellence
around the country. As part of this, Bowden Logistics has been
rebranded as Pall-Ex London.”
NewNorthern hub for
Pall-Ex at Warrington
LOADS MORE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
01543 420 121