United Pallet Network has announced that its Central Hub Operation will be relocating from spring 2020. In line with the company’s growth projections and operational development strategy, UPN will be relocating to more modern and expansive facilities that are very close to its current operation. 

UPN has identified premises at Fradley Park which means a very short move for its operation and, as a result, a minimum of disruption for both UPN staff and members. This move confirms UPNs commitment to growth over the next decade and beyond. 

Prior to the move, over £2 million is being invested to further develop the new facility to ensure that it fully meets the specific needs and requirements of the highly specialised UPN operation.

“The UPN Board of Directors are extremely excited about this move and the significant potential for growth and expansion that it will bring for both our company and our member network,” said David Brown – UPN Managing Director, “This move and level of investment will ensure that we continue to be recognised as a high quality, member focussed UK pallet network.”

“The move will increase our capacity for further business growth and our new facility will provide us with an operational throughput of over 11,500 pallets per night.”

The specific date of the move will be defined once site development work is complete. The intention is to be fully operational from the new Central Hub facility during May 2020.

UPN has established itself as a high quality Pallet Network with a total focus on member growth and development. In 2018, the company launched its “Real IQ” initiative to clearly highlight its points of difference as a Pallet Network and position UPN as a leader in the sector – “Real IQ” – focussed on the distinct special qualities of UPN – Unique IT Support – Service Quality Excellence.

UPN is renowned industry wide for its cutting edge IT systems and infrastructure. Its services are underpinned by the most advanced IT systems including the Pallet Network sector’s first successful real-time signature capture system. The UPN SmartPOD Live Signature Capture App significantly boosts UPN’s nationwide UPN mobile track and trace and POD capability. Advanced shipping notification is also available by SMS as well as email. A Hub Efficiency App massively assists the central UPN team in improved night-time turnaround performance. 

UPN has evolved to provide a service that matches its sales message – “First class travel for palletised freight”. With over 99% on time delivery, UPN considers its Service Quality performance to be second to none in its sector. A member network of more than ninety UK hauliers delivers a seamless delivery and collection service across the UK and Europe.

UPN offer the widest range of pallet options within the sector, with full, half, quarter, unique micro, euro, and oversized pallet options. Its customers are wide ranging, from the NHS to the big motor manufacturers, and all extremes in between. Its unique Micro Pallet is highly popular for sectors such as the print sector with heavy small pallets 

With its hub and spoke Pallet Network system, UPN operate a truly green approach. This type of distribution system ensures a minimum of stem mileage, and maximum fleet utilisation. Indeed, when layered onto the unique pallet range offering now available from UPN, the company can consider itself one of the UK leaders in vehicle fleet utilisation.

“We are not the biggest and indeed we have no aspiration to be the biggest,” said UPN Managing Director, David Brown.

“If you are looking at the top networks in terms of volume, we are in the bottom half. However, if you are comparing efficiency, reliability and profitability, then we are up at the top. At UPN, we believe that it’s important to build a strong business by working efficiently, and growing the business organically and profitably to ensure a strong future for both our members and ourselves. We are all about quality – the quality of our membership, services and systems and our ability to retain good customers.”

UPN began trading at the turn of the century - June 2001 to be exact - with an initial member network of 18 hauliers. UPN Founder and Chairman - Martyn Chapman – identified that there was an increasing opportunity due to a demand from hauliers to join pallet networks. At this time there was a distinct scarcity of Pallet networks to satisfy the interest from hauliers nationwide to become involved in this evolving logistics concept.

Following three months of market research and due diligence, it was clear that there was definitely a significant opportunity for a new entrant into the Pallet Network sector. Customer demand was growing for more flexible and cost effective delivery options and it was clear that the Pallet Network Principle was an accepted and developing logistics option for shippers.

From humble beginnings of just 90 pallets on the first night, a strong stable growth trajectory now sees UPN handle significant palletised freight volumes that are steadily increasing month by month and year by year. Over the past 18 years, UPN has grown into a high quality palletised freight distribution network. Focussed on growth through member success, UPN currently have over 90 members covering the whole of the UK, and European partners providing coverage throughout 26 countries.

By homing in on the company’s distinct point of difference within the sector with its “Real IQ” Initiative in terms of its bespoke IT support systems and infrastructure, and its quality driven focus on service excellence, UPN has established a unique position in the pallet network sector. 

www.u-p-n.co.uk