Truck and Track Spring 2021

www.truckandtrack.com Spring 2021 Truck and Track 47 PALLET NETWORKS Caroline, who was appointed as Pallet-Track’s chief financial officer (CFO) in September 2020, has a pedigree of boardroom positions under her belt including working in the supply chain of global copying giant Xerox and, prior to joining Pallet-Track, ReBound Returns, where she was chief operating and finance officer. She has also served as a non-executive director at the British Business Bank PLC, a government-backed initiative to support small to medium sized enterprises, initially as an appointee of Vince Cable, the then business secretary in David Cameron’s coalition administration. A hands-on operator with a head for figures, Caroline will build on the business’ strong reputation for the next stage of Pallet-Track’s success, a step-by-step journey she will take with the loyal team and the 84 shareholder members. “Our strategy is to continue to grow in line with our members, sowe all succeed. A network is only as good as its weakest member so our job is to help all of them to realise their potential so that we all add value by being the best we can be,” said Caroline. At this time, the so-called spring equinox and changing requirements for seasonal products always creates additional traffic through the hub, an issue that has been compounded by external factors such as Covid-19 and Brexit, where additional online demand has run headlong into additional customs protocol costs, stock shortages and delays on certain lines. With BBC headlines screaming ‘Garden furniture shortages no picnic for retailers’ and the cost of containers carrying stock rocketing from $1,200 to $10,000 each, it is little wonder there is additional pressure in the supply chain. “We are booming at the moment despite general business uncertainty, but networks are well adapted to sharp spikes in demand, particularly at this time of year with the seasonal shifts and the need to rapidly move products such as garden furniture, which is in short supply as a result of people in lockdown ordering online,” added Caroline. Fromweakest to strongest links, thepallet networkmodel resonates with the climate challenges that the planet faces by reducing supply chain inefficiencies and boosting sustainability. “Pallet networks are not only keeping the wheels of the UK turning, but they are an inherently green solution as the whole hub and spoke model is built upon operating to the highest standards and load optimisation to avoid empty trailers on any leg of the journey,” said Caroline. When she speaks about Pallet-Track’s performance, she is also in praise of the other network members of the APN (Association of Pallet Networks), whose tireless performance during 2020 saw the perception of the humble haulier escalated to that of key worker. “During last year, APN members delivered 27.8 million pallets, a 3.2% growth year on year and, tellingly, as a result of Covid-19, 63% of those shipments were next day delivery. “While we have all been focussed on the customer journey, we have also had to be cognisant of other key factors, such as the welfare of our staff and the ongoing stewardship of the environment by reducing our carbon footprint while increasing our business profile.” She highlights the APN figures that reveal an average of 76% trailer utilisation across the networks which underpins the quest to reduce emissions and improve operational efficiencies, all of which add to the bottom line. “Across the UK’s pallet networks, the APN has seen service levels remain at 96% despite the challenges facing the industry – staff and skills shortages, furlough and colleagues having to home school their children during lockdown – it makes you extremely proud to be part of something that can demonstrate its resilience and agility in the midst of a global pandemic,” she said. Caroline recognises the challenges of the future – the ongoing skills shortage, the growth of online and home delivery for pallet networks and the education for the industry and the consumer required to make that a success – but is optimistic. “We have great technology in terms of tracking consignments and are proud of the industry-leading reputation of never losing a pallet during the last 17 years. We also have dynamic routing to optimise journeys that improves efficiency and underlines our service-driven ethos. “Pallet networks work because of these efficiencies, despite what has been thrown their way in terms of Brexit and the pandemic. It is a model that can rapidly adapt to changes.” Her pride in the industry and its people shone bright when Pallet- Track launched a national ‘Hooray for Hauliers’ campaign to celebrate the role of the key worker drivers who have kept Britain moving throughout the pandemic, as well as navigating Brexit on top of the day-to-day challenges of long hours and even longer distances to deliver for the nation. The campaign, which took the form of #HoorayforHauliers liveries on Pallet-Track member vehicles and a high-profile advertising hoarding campaign at the intersection of the M6 and M5 motorways, at the heart of the UK’s strategic road network, flew the flag for Britain’s transport and logistics workers. The hoarding near Junction 6 of the M6 at Bescot, Walsall, north of Birmingham, was viewed by around three million motorists per week throughout March and April to cement the positive message into the consciousness of the driving public. The campaign to celebrate the contributions of transport’s key workers also encouraged other road users to photograph the liveried vehicles and share the images on social media using the #HoorayforHauliers hashtag, but only where it was safe to do so. As part of his last act as managing director, Nigel Parkes said: “Rather like the clap for carers, this campaign goes out to all drivers and workers in all logistics businesses as a thank you for their tireless efforts and everyday contribution, particularly over the last 12 months – they have kept the country going by putting food on the tables and vital PPE and health equipment into our NHS hospitals, some of which has been done on a pro bono basis. “In this respect, the pandemic has raised awareness of the key worker status of lorry drivers up and down the UK who had previously not enjoyed a high profile, resulting in the dramatic skills shortage that still threatens our industry. This campaign goes some way to trying to address that issue.” Three Pallet-Track members, PW Gates in Welwyn Garden City, JMS of Doncaster and Alan Firmin Ltd in Kent now proudly display the new #HoorayforHauliers liveries on their vehicles as they travel thousands of miles making deliveries across their postcode areas and to all parts of the UK. Chris Lynch, development director of PW Gates, which is also the Neil Woodcock, a driver with JMS Transport and his #Hooray for Hauliers trailer