www.truckandtrack.com Autumn 2024 Truck and Track 35 PALLET NETWORKS Association of Pallet Networks (APN) statistics for the first half of 2024 show steady growth of 1.5% in pallet volumes, and 3.5% growth in Q2 against the same period last year. Key year-to-date insights include: ■ Next-day services account for 61.5% of the total volume, and economy services for 39.0%, reflecting a slight increase in the use of economy services from the full year 2023. ■ In the first half of 2024, all pallet sizes have seen growth compared to volumes for the same period in 2023, with full pallets increasing by 1%, half pallets by +0.9% and quarter pallets by +3.7%. ■ 48.9% of all volume comprised full pallets, 28.9% half pallets, and 22.2% quarter pallets. ■ Home deliveries comprised 15.9% of all pallets - a 0.4% reduction from volumes seen in the same period in 2023. ■ More than half of all B2C pallets were delivered on a next-day service. ■ 58.2% of B2C quarter pallets are delivered on a next-day service. ■ The number of consignments grew by almost 2% across the six month period and 3.3% in Q2. APN chairman Paul Sanders says: “These figures show excellent prospects for the pallet network sector, with steady growth but no unmanageable spikes in volumes. “The Q2 statistics are particularly encouraging, with a 3.5% increase in pallet volumes compared to last year despite an early Easter, which fell within Q1, as opposed to Easter 2023 which was in April.” The networks have continued to make significant gains in both safety and sustainability despite this background of increased operational activity. Safety incidents at UK Hubs have fallen by 16.7% so far in 2024, against the same period last year, continuing a six year-trend in safety improvements. Incidents for the six-month period stand at 0.43 per 100,000 pallets delivered. www.theapn.co.uk 2024 figures show steady growth for pallet sector TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk Vehicle Graphics External Signage Covid-19 H & S Signage Promotional Signage Association of Pallet Networks (APN) figures for 2023 show substantial sustainability improvements year on year for the UK pallet network sector. The APN has been measuring key sustainability metrics for UK Hub operations for two years. 2023 figures show: ■ Mains gas and electricity usage have reduced by 4.6% and 6.1% respectively ■ Water use has reduced by 27.9% ■ CO2 emissions from energy use have fallen by 6.1% ■ 57% cut in total waste ■ Waste destined for landfill and incineration was reduced by 30% ■ 48% of all waste was recycled – almost twice as much as in 2022 ■ Paper reduced by 28.4% - or 675,000 fewer sheets. The APN collects and analyses metrics across a wide range of criteria from seven of the UK’s pallet networks, capturing total quantities, carbon emissions and KPIs per 1,000 pallets. These include mains gas and electricity; water consumption; paper; Scope 1 and CO2 emissions; waste categorised as landfill/ incineration, recycling, WEEE or hazardous; and paper. Going forwards, APN will also measure the diesel and LPG used in Hub operations, including for vehicles such as shunters or fork-lift trucks. APN chairman Paul Sanders says: “We are delighted at the strides we are making as an industry to lower the footprint of each pallet delivered. We have achieved substantial reductions in all of the measured categories.” Consumption of products such as water, waste and fuel does not only have a cost in terms of the immediate site emissions or carbon footprint, but also in manufacture, delivery, disposal, potentials for pollution and wider infrastructural costs. This means that every unit reduction in consumption actually saves on carbon and associated issues at every point in the chain. For instance, the sustainability impact and cost of paper is not limited to its production (although the use of raw materials, water, chemicals and energy in manufacturing is significant;) there are additional costs in the printing, storage, insurance, recycling and disposal processes (including confidential shredding), which often outweigh the purchase cost. Paper is easily overlooked although a very visible source of consumption and waste. “The emphasis in logistics is predominantly on decarbonised vehicles, which our networks are also exploring individually and with their members,” says Sanders. “However how sites are run and how sustainable our operations are as a whole depends upon far more than road-going vehicles. Our sustainability group has worked hard to explore and develop best practice solutions to drive down the footprint of our sector and we hope that Hub operations can serve as a template and inspiration for all for all site-based reduction programmes.” The APN’s forums work collaboratively on industry-wide issues such as Health and Safety, or Sustainability while ensuring individual network’s data confidentiality and taking care not to violate competition rules. The APN aims to disseminate best practice and keep the UK pallet networks at the forefront of significant and continuous improvement for the benefit of its members, their members and all their customers. “We produced an internal report for our members in which we had analysed and collated their collective, anonymised data for 2023,” says Sanders. “We have also produced a list of recommendations for all networks, based on that analysis, for how they can continue this significant progress in 2024 and beyond.” 2023 shows big sustainability wins for UK pallet networks
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