Truck and Track Spring 2021

www.truckandtrack.com Spring 2021 Truck and Track 43 PALLET NETWORKS “It’s no surprise to say our members were expecting a tough year in 2020,” observed Sanders, “but the unprecedented challenges they faced really tested their resilience; I’m happy to say they delivered.” As the year started, forecasts for the economy were somewhat bleak, but March brought something few had considered: Covid-19. As the UK went into lockdown and national borders closed, APN members had already prepared their response. “The transport sector is no stranger to a crisis, and networks responded rapidly to this one,” noted Paul. “Safety was upper most in everyone’s minds; for staff, customers and the public. The delivery technology used by the networks allowed them to moved quickly to fully contactless deliveries; a smart decision for the sector.” The measures were well received and as businesses closed, which impacted on commercial volumes, networks were able to respond to the rapid increase in home deliveries. Despite the myriad challenges of 2020, APN members delivered record volumes of 27.8 million pallets, 63% of which were on a Next Day service. “Seeing growth of 3.2% in the year was fantastic,” observed Paul, “and growth in quarter pallets achieved 5.5%, largely due to the home delivery effect as people stayed at home.” In fact, home deliveries in April represented almost 36% of all pallets delivered, from an average of 17% over the previous 12 months. Service levels remained high despite the myriad distraction, averaging 96% in the year. “At the end of 2019, we predicted shockwaves as a result of Covid’s impact on trade, travel and employment; there is still no certainty as to when business will return to normal (if ever?)” commented Paul. “Alongside the pandemic, members are continuing to respond to Brexit challenges, supporting customers to achieve frictionless trade with the EU and globally.” The APN is supporting its members in ensuring cross-border freight is friction free, and recently published its “top tips,” available from the APN website apn.co.uk. “This is a learning curve for everyone. Many customers are well prepared and are working closely with their pallet networks to ensure everything is correct. However, it is oftenmore problematic for those who only occasionally send goods across borders and therefore may not have prepared so carefully. We would urge anyone working with suppliers in mainland Europe to share these tips with their European partners. It isn’t only exports from the UK which can be problematic, but also imports are being held up at ports, which can affect the timely delivery of goods to UK plc.” Ultimately, delays at the ports or borderswill not only affect delivery times but could accumulatively affect the price of transport. When consignments are held up by Customs, the truck driver must pay for his waiting time at up to £50 an hour, while the customer hunts down the necessary information to resolve the problem. “Cumulatively, extra charges caused by customer error will inevitably affect pricing within the whole logistics industry,” says Sanders, “so it is in everyone’s interests that we all ensure the correct information and the right clearance codes for every pallet.” www.theapn.co.uk Paul Sanders, Chairman of the Association of Pallet Networks Keeping the economy moving through Covid-19 and Brexit Paul Sanders comments on the APN’s annual performance, which saw record pallet volumes amid lockdowns, tiered restrictions and Brexit preparations TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TO ALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk The only way is not just Essex for expanding Grays-based international haulage business Twin Wheel Logistics which joined the growing Pallet-Track network on April 19. The business, which has just moved to a brand new three-acre site to accommodate its growth, will be operating part of the RM postcode area on behalf of Wolverhampton-based Pallet-Track, making it the third new addition to the network this year after two other haulier businesses joined on January 4 2021. This is the first time Twin Wheel Logistics has been part of a pallet network, as its rapid growth has been largely achieved under its own steam after newmanagement took over the business in 2016. It has more than 30 years’ trading experience and specialises in international haulage, heavy lift and ‘out of gauge’ cargo. The move will also see a further expansion of the business with new personnel joining the transport team and increases to the fleet, including specialist lifting vehicles for the potential growth in domestic kerbside deliveries as a result of greater online demand. “We have always grown independently and organically, but we recognised a lot of synergies in joining the Pallet-Track network,” said Courtney Howard, TwinWheel Logistics’ operations manager. “We were impressed with Pallet-Track’s service levels and emphasis on the customer, a philosophy that matches our own approach. “The relationship will benefit both businesses and complement our existing international and domestic services.” Caroline Green, Pallet-Track’s new CEO, who took over the helm from founder Nigel Parkes on April 1, said: “Twin Wheel Logistics is the kind of business that sits well within our network where we can offer a wide range of services to satisfy customer demand for new and existing services. “We welcome the business into the Pallet-Track family and look forward to themgrowingwith us. They are the third newaddition to the network, but it will not be the last this year – watch this space.” For more information on TwinWheel Logistics, visit www.twinwheellogistics.com. For more information about Pallet-Track, call 0870 385 0055 or visit www.pallet-track.co.uk. The only way is not just Essex Expanding TwinWheel Logistics joins growing Pallet-Track network