Devon based distributor Gregory Distribution Ltd faced the ultimate delivery challenge during the recent floods. But when deluges descended across the country, the Palletline member refused to leave customers high and dry.
“The floods were unbelievable,” said Darren Beaven, Gregory Distribution Depot Principal. “But the way our staff handled them comes a close second. “As anyone who experienced the floods first hand will tell you, their sheer scale was overwhelming. It was only to be expected that some of our drivers were simply unable to get in. However, because we have built in 15% additional capacity for normal fluctuations in manpower, we were in a much stronger position to deal with the strain on our resources.
With traffic reports strained to the limit, the Palletline network relied on its drivers to be the “eyes and ears” on the front line. As Darren said: “Our drivers remained in continuous contact throughout the floods, keeping everyone informed of road closures as soon as they were encountered. This enabled us to chart alternative routes and save precious time for subsequent deliveries.”
Numerous employees went above and beyond, but Andy Beaton’s efforts were exceptional. The Gregory Distribution forklift driver was unable to use his car during the floods, so was commuting via bicycle. When the floods encroached, he was forced to return home to apply sandbag fortifications around his home. “But he still cycled back to work when he was finished!” said Darren.
“Our members turned chaos into careful planning,” said Kevin Buchanan, Managing Director of Palletline. “Gregory Distribution is a great example. With their drivers’ help, they effectively managed delivery schedules each day and resumed normal operations with 72 hours. Across the country, our members’ resourcefulness ensured the Palletline network remained resilient.”
Communication was key to managing the crisis, both on the road and on the phones; customers were kept updated on the status of their freight at all times. In the event that the floods necessitated a rescheduled delivery, Palletline members informed their customers well in advance.
“It’s a testament to the team that service disruption remained minimal,” added Kevin. “Of course, there were some temporarily impossible deliveries! But our customers were very understanding. If anything, our proactive approach ensured that our customer relationships were strengthened during the floods.”
Palletline
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