In a move placing the organisation at the leading edge of the pallet distribution sector in terms of innovation, quality and operational efficiency, Palletline Plc has announced plans to invest a massive £20M in new Central Hub premises based on a 15 acre site in Solihull. The unique operational systems planned for the new hub have been designed to enable the organisation to function more efficiently than any other palletised distribution network in the country, creating the systems and capacity to process in excess of 25,000 pallets in each 24 hour time window and maintaining the highest standards of quality and reliability.
Palletline’s new hub will be the industry’s very first drive-through, side-load operation, achieving total depedestrianisation. This effectively revolutionises the operational model to deliver unparalleled levels of quality, performance and safety coupled with technological advancements to meet developing customer expectations.
Key to the operational improvements is the construction of the industry’s first purpose built, on-site quality control centre. This will consist of vehicle scanning lanes capable of processing 80 vehicles an hour and an undercover area for load checking. This system effectively separates out quality control from sortation activities and allows implementation of the most rigorous freight checking procedures to achieve total traceability and service consistency.
The move also calls for a huge investment in technological improvements to the facility, developed to contribute further to quality and reliability, ensuring that customer freight arrives at its destination on time and in excellent condition.
Every vehicle coming onto the site will be supplied with a data card to track its exact location, identifying every pallet on every vehicle and highlighting freight requiring prioritisation for meeting connections. Web-based systems will be used to create ‘virtual bay’ facilities accessible to every Member Company, clearly highlighting volumes and consignment information.
Palletline is already a recognised leader in the field with an established reputation for a high quality service offering. The last 12 months have seen the company take significant steps forward as the first pallet network to achieve quality accreditation to ISO 9001 and accreditation to occupational health and safety management system OHSAS 18001:2007. Redesigning the operational model to optimise quality and safety ensures Palletline will meet and exceed proposed changes in health and safety requirements, taking the lead again and safeguarding the supply chain.
Alongside the introduction of a smart new revision to the company’s recognisable livery, the move will also secure Palletline’s expansion plans, yielding capacity for growth through to 2020, more than trebling existing pallet throughput capacity.
Commenting for Palletline, Managing Director Kevin Buchanan is clear about his vision for the future of the organisation. “Our immediate plans focus on controlled growth, with the emphasis on delivering the highest standards of quality through efficiency and innovation,” he stated. “We have always been committed to driving up the standards in palletised distribution. This investment is further evidence of our continued commitment to the developing needs of our Member Companies and their customers.”
Palletline Plc
Tel: 0121 386 2526
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