www.truckandtrack.com Autumn 2025 Truck and Track 41 PALLET NETWORKS The UK pallet network sector has seen sustained growth in the first half of 2025, against the same period in 2024, yet maintained the same high service levels and greater efficiency. Total pallet volumes to the end of June 2025 were 2.7% higher than the same period 2024, with more than 14.9 million pallets being delivered across the UK pallet networks. Key points for the first six months of 2025 include: ■ Next Day volumes to date in 2025 were 2.8% higher than the same period in 2024. ■ Economy volumes increased by 2.3%. ■ Despite volume growth service levels have remained at 96%. ■ Next-day services account for 61.6% of the total volume with economy services comprising 38.4%, reflecting a slight increase in the use of next-day services compared to the whole of 2024. ■ To date in 2025 all pallet sizes have seen growth compared to 2024 volumes, increasing by 2.6% for full pallets, 2.8% for half pallets and 2.4% for quarter pallets. ■ Full pallets account for 48.8% of total volume, 29.0% are half pallets and quarter pallets make up the remaining 22.2%. ■ YTD consignments have grown by 2.3% compared to the first half of 2024, although the average number of pallets per consignment has remained at 1.43. ■ Across all networks there was a 30.8% reduction in Hubbased safety incidents to date in 2025, reducing the incident rate to 0.30 per 100,000 pallets delivered, compared to 0.42 across 2024. The UK pallet networks constantly monitor and try to improve Hub and trailer efficiency, which is always tested by volume growth. The first six months of 2025 have seen a slight increase in fork-lift truck movements, with a performance rate of 21.5 pallets per hour. However, trailer utilisation has increased to the end of June to an average 74.0%. Efficient use of trailers, consistently several points higher than the Department for Transport’s averages for articulated vehicles, is a key environmental benefit of pallet network use. Association of Pallet Networks (APN) chairman Paul Sanders says: “Pallet networks are built on a sustainable model, which delivers cost-effective transport solutions for small loads, benefitting customers and consumers alike. We are very conscious of our role in cutting carbon emissions through a shared platform, hub-and-spoke matrix, which minimises the miles pallets travel and brings fuel and emissions reductions.” He continues: “We are therefore delighted that service levels have remained so high, with 96% of all deliveries meeting all the specified delivery criteria. UK pallet networks achieve the three vital constituents of modern transport – value for money, environmental gains and excellent service.” The convenience of specifying exactly when pallets will be delivered is increasingly important to customers, who are prepared to pay the premium surcharges for specific delivery windows. Almost 18% of the six and a half million next-day consignments involved timed deliveries, a slight increase on the same period in 2024. Safety is a key focus for APN members. Sanders says he is delighted that the continuous work of the APN Health and Safety Forum, which campaigns and educates Hub teams and drivers about workrelated safety and best practice, has once again paid dividends in driving injury incidents to a record low. www.theapn.co.uk Paul Sanders, Chairman of the Association of Pallet Networks Growth, high service and green gains at UK pallet networks TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
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