Truck and Track Autumn 2021

Truck and Track Autumn 2021 www.truckandtrack.com 40 UPN – (UNITED PALLET NETWORK) – FINALIST – MULTIMODAL – PALLET NETWORK OF THE YEAR 2021 Our members who act for us within Europe and in Ireland gave absolutely fantastic support for both UPN and all our network members. Collectively we worked tremendously hard together and I am pleased to say that within four weeks it was business as usual. The cost of shipping within Europe has increased sharply and this has impacted on volumes but it is still a healthy part of our business. All this has been happening of course during the once in a lifetime challenge of the Covid Pandemic? How are UPN responding to the challenges that this unique unknown has set for us all? As you know the world changed quite dramatically for all of us when Covid hit. Both personally and professionally everyone was feeling their way through a really difficult time and dealing with challenges that could not have been predicted just a few weeks earlier. Initially we were very concerned as we entered a period of the unknown, how this would impact on our staff, volumes, and the membership. At UPN it was a case of keeping everything running well but making sure that health and safety was very much at the forefront in every respect. We very quickly defined and implemented our Covid plan both on site and across our network applying the mantra – Hands – Face – Space – right across the board both on site, and on the road to ensure that we were able to provide our services efficiently and safely. We applied Covid protocols right across our network with the introduction of clear guidelines and an efficient system of contactless deliveries. Our unique UPN technology, our SmartHUB Operational IT, our SmartPOD contactless POD, and our SmartClockIn sign in system have all really helped us to keep our staff and the public safe. Our ITsystems kept visiting drivers safely in their cabs. It enabled them to log their arrival on site automatically. Manifests could be downloaded directly to a phone, on site instructions again straight to phone and logging vehicles on and off site again could be done remotely. Not only did this keep the drivers safe but also our fork lift truck drivers as no physical interactions were required. Our SmartClockIn sign in system enabled UPN staff to login directly without all queuing to use traditional clocking in machines again keeping them isolated from each other. “Without our Logistics Key Workers, there would undoubtedly be turmoil and chaos right across the country” As the concept of “Key Workers” evolved, so did the role of logistics workers as Key Workers. Alongside the NHS the Logistics sector including “Team UPN”, our network of partner hauliers, also became known as Key Workers all working through lockdown to keep UK PLC and our economy going. The whole nationwide UPN member team of drivers, forklift staff, warehouse staff, and operations staff really stepped up to the plate to ensure that despite everything our service levels were maintained. They should be really proud of themselves at this extreme time, and very proud of the special way that they are meeting the challenges thrown at them by the pandemic. Logistics is playing a crucial role in keeping the country running, the shops and supermarkets stocked, and the population positive, sane and safe. Without our Logistics Key Workers, there would undoubtedly be turmoil and chaos right across the country. By supporting our high streets, the booming DIY sector, and the inevitable increase in home deliveries, we have really helped in a significant way to minimise the mental impact of Covid on the UK and indeed keep the country sane! We had massive swings in volume, both up and down, staff furloughs, illness, indeed over the past six months we have increased volumes by 50% across the board. I am really proud to say that despite what has probably been the most challenging year in our history, UPN service levels were upheld. UPN moved into its new SmartHUB just as the first wave of UPN SmartHUB