Welcome to the May 15th edition of Warehouse & Logistics News. Before going further, congratulations to Meghan and Harry on baby Archie’s safe arrival.

CLICK HERE TO LAUNCH THE MAY 15th DIGITAL EDITION OF WAREHOUSE & LOGISTICS NEWS MAGAZINE

Speaking of successful deliveries, the pallet networks have transformed how we move palletised freight and are an outstanding international success. As our Pallet Networks feature reminds us, the story began here in the UK in 1992, when Palletline set up the first ‘hub and spoke’ pallet distribution system, and the idea has since caught on around the world. In recent news UPN has signed the lease on a new UK hub and strengthened its network with three new UK members, taking them to over 90 here plus European partners in 26 countries.

In our cover story Conveyor Networks are celebrating 10 years delivering turnkey automation solutions. As Marcus Uprichard, their Sales and Marketing Director, explains, they have a long-standing relationship with Pets at Home, the pet supplies retailer. In their latest project Pets at Home commissioned Conveyor Networks to install automated picking and packing solution at their Northampton ecommerce DC. Pets at Home needed to increase the DC’s output to achieve their farreaching targets, including doubling their parcel volumes by 2023. Also, with a large number of other warehouses close to the new facility, Pets at Home struggled to recruit temporary staff in peak periods and sought to address this through automation. Thanks to Conveyor Networks, Pets at Home are now well placed on both counts.

There’s more on conveyors in our Conveyors & Sortation feature. Whether you’re looking at installing a telescopic boom conveyor to load lorries faster, or like Pets at Home thinking of investing in automated conveyors and sortation systems, opting for either part or full automation pays huge dividends in productivity.

In our Packaging feature the UK Government has approved various compliance schemes to help make industrial packaging users become more sustainable, including Kite’s Packaging’s scheme, Kite Environmental Solutions. Meanwhile, Pregis’ modular packaging systems enable businesses to integrate sustainable methods into their packing operations without compromising their existing shipping standards, so rather than change your entire operation at once, you can start by changing some of it. We also have good news from Storopack: the ecommerce boom has led to an upsurge in demand for their premium packaging materials, which leave happy customers more likely to place repeat orders.

Speaking of happy customers, amid the uncertainty about keeping the food supply chains full when we leave the EU, specialist multi temperature supply chain operator Oakland International have stepped in and are helping their clients expand their shortterm stock holdings with a temporary warehouse from Spaciotempo.

And finally, showing that senior people in this industry can relax and show their lighter side, Conveyor Networks’ Marcus Uprichard, who features in our cover story, also appears in Quote Unquote on the inside back page. If you fancy starring in Quote Unquote, get in touch.

JAMES SURRIDGE

Publishing Editor

james@warehousenews.co.uk

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