The UK pallet sector is in good health, according to data from the Association of Pallet Networks. In 2020, APN members delivered 27.8m pallets, a growth of 3.2% year on year. Despite new ways of working, fluctuating volumes, staff shortages due to shielding, home schooling, sickness and constantly changing social rules, the pallet networks managed to maintain extremely high service levels of 96% throughout the year. Of all the pallets delivered, 63% were on a next-day service.
This article was first published in the May 15th 2021 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
Well done to United Pallet Network (UPN), which has announced further improvements to its network across the UK with the introduction of six new members and the addition of a new European partner for France. The new additions to the expanding UPN member network are: JDE Logistics; Pallet Delivery Services; Logistics North East; Express Transport (UK); 737 Logistics; and WS Transportation. UPN has also improved its service to France with a new international partnership agreement with Euro Channel Logistics. In conjunction with UPN, Euro Channel Logistics link all French mainland locations to all UK postcode areas.
International express distribution expert Palletforce, a division of EV Cargo, says its Pallet Selfie technology has been a ‘game-changer’ in increasing visibility of freight passing through the SuperHub and is helping its members attract new customers and generate cost reductions. First launched in 2019, Pallet Selfies are instant images taken by the company’s fleet of forklift trucks carrying out nightly freight sortation at the SuperHub. Using patented technology exclusive to Palletforce, they instantly weigh, scan and image capture every single pallet of freight passing through the network.
The only way is not just Essex for expanding Grays-based international haulage business Twin Wheel Logistics which has joined the growing Pallet-Track network. The business, which has just moved to a brand new three-acre site to accommodate its growth, will be operating part of the RM postcode area on behalf of Wolverhampton-based Pallet-Track, making it the third new addition to the network this year after two other haulier businesses joined on January 4 2021. Twin Wheel Logistics has more than 30 years’ trading experience and specialises in international haulage, heavy lift and ‘out of gauge’ cargo.
Congratulations to Glasgow’s Bullet Express, which has invested in the Fortec Distribution Network to become its latest shareholder member. The logistics firm has taken advantage of the shareholder member opportunities available with Fortec, as it looks to continue its growth just months after opening a new storage facility which increased its overall capacity by 25%, meaning Bullet Express now has the capacity to handle 26,000 pallets in all. Bullet Express’s arrival in Fortec represents the business’ standing as one of Scotland’s premier logistics operators having built its reputation connecting supply chains throughout the last 30 years, and also provides increased strength to the Fortec network.
Despite all the poor forecasts and a slow start to 2020, it has been encouraging to see pallet volumes remaining strong with unexpected growth.
George Simpson
Features Editor
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