Blog Categories - Transport & Logistics

Julian Richards, Managing Director of transport and logistics operator AKW Group, has welcomed the Confederation of British Industry’s discussion on a change of policy on road funding.

Julian commented on the frustration that the large sums of road tax paid by transport operators does not find its way to improving the road networks and that too much being used for other government short fall.

"When we operate in Europe we pay road tolls, and although none of us like the idea, it does seem to be the only fair way to collect money based upon road usage.  It will also enable the UK to collect some monies from foreign operators, of course the risk as always is it would become an extra tax cost, rather than reduction in what we have.

 "We are very proud as an industry in the dramatic strides we have made over the past ten years, in improving emissions, introducing working partnerships to reduce road miles travelled.  It seems unfair that government will now have to find another revenue stream from users, to replace the lost duty on fuel, which is a direct result of improved efficiency and environmental support.”

Haulier Wm Armstrong is celebrating 85 years in business and its history so far has been charted in a profile feature in Motor Transport.

The family-run company built its business on livestock haulage but has grown and diversified to survive the 2001 foot and mouth crisis, several recessions and became a founding member of the UK’s leading palletised distribution network Palletforce.

Read the feature here

IT specialists at Palletforce, the UK's leading palletised freight network, have been working on a development to help manage their deliveries in and out of London during the Olympic Games.

The development, available as part of the network's flagship Alliance IT system, will give Palletforce's 100 UK depots instant information about the restrictions operating during London 2012.

This intelligence will be crucial in helping Palletforce's member transport companies decide on the best ways to manage and route deliveries.

Dean Hughes, IT Director for Palletforce, said: "This will give our members the vital information they need to help keep goods flowing in and out of the capital with minimum disruption.”

Palletforce's Alliance IT system will give instant visibility of the 109 Olympic ‘Games Lanes' and automatically handle the restrictions around deliveries on these Games Lanes, as well as the unique restrictions affecting deliveries to Olympic venues.

Dean added: "During the games there will be road layout alterations, diversions, parking and loading restrictions, special Games Lanes and extra security measures all of which will impact on the transport network.

"Our IT developments will help us adapt delivery schedules effectively, avoid the daytime restrictions and ensure our customers continue to receive the quality service they expect.”

CONGRATULATIONS to all the Palletforce members celebrating at the network’s Gala Awards Dinner on Saturday, May 19.

A fantastic night was had by all at the glittering ceremony at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel.

The winners on the night were:

Edwin C Farralls – Sales and Marketing Award

White Logistics – Members’ Services Committee Award

Mike Brookes Transport – New Member Award

Online Roadways – Members’ Depot of the Year

EVTS and Westfield (joint winners) – Palletforce Depot of the Year - The Robert Bedford Award

PALLETFORCE members are continuing to invest in the network’s striking orange livery.

UK Freight Masters Ltd in Kent has taken delivery of 11 rigid trucks in the Palletforce colour while EDS Couriers in Cannock has become the first member to have all their trucks decked out in the livery.

Michael Conroy, Chief Executive of Palletforce, said: "Despite the uncertain economic conditions our shareholder members continue to invest to drive forward the success of the entire network.

"With support from our fantastic member the Palletforce brand – like the network – remains strong and continues to grow.”

Family-run firm UK Freight invested £300,000 in upgrading its fleet to hit the 2012 emission standards deadline.

The transport, warehouse and distribution firm became a member of the UK’s leading palletised distribution network six years ago and following this investment now has 16 vehicles dedicated to Palletforce.

"We are located within the Transport for London Emission Zone which means our vehicles have to be up to Euro 4 Emission Standard by January 2012,” said UK Freight Masters Director Dave Bland.

"Because of this, I decided to renew a lot of the fleet, so we’ve replaced seven trucks and added another four.”
 
At EDS Couriers all 10 of the firm’s Heavy Goods Vehicles have been re-branded after almost half were upgraded to newer trucks.
 
"I’ve always been a great believer that we are on the same hymn sheet as Palletforce in terms of how we do business, so what better way to show it,” said General Manager Chris Burton.
 
"Having a HGV fleet uniformly branded in such an instantly identifiable livery will increase our profile and we’re already becoming more recognisable around the area.”  
 
This significant investment comes after the Cannock-based haulier ploughed just under £1million into two new warehouses comprising a total of 25,000 sq ft on a 1.5 acre site in Bridgtown.
 
"Our new depot gives us much space than our previous premises and allows us room to grow as demand increases,” said Managing Director Andy Evans.
 
Michael Conroy added: "Our striking orange vehicles are a more and more common sight on our roads and it is a sign of the faith our members have in the strength of the brand and growth of our network.”

TWO more Palletforce trucks will be hitting the roads after Knights of Old upgraded its fleet.

The Kettering-based company has invested in two new orange-liveried 18 tonne Scania trucks – taking the number of new additions to their fleet this year up to 14.

In keeping with the Knights of Old tradition of naming their vehicles after knights from the Arthurian legend the trucks have been called Sir Balin and Sir Clegis.

"In order to cope with the steadily increasing demand we have experienced we have taken this opportunity to invest in our fleet,” said Ian Beattie, Managing Director of Knights Of Old.

"By expanding our fleet we are not only meeting the extra demands that have been placed on us with the level of high service we have become known for, but we are also in a strong position to facilitate future growth.”

Knights of Old has been a member of Palletforce – the UK’s leading palletised distribution network – for the past five years.

The two new Palletforce trucks – which will operate in the London area – are in addition to two trailers that the company operates in Palletforce’s livery.

"It is brilliant to work with forward-looking companies who know the value of re-investment and providing a consistent reliable service,” said Michael Conroy, Chief Executive of Palletforce.

"Our members continue to perform strongly and their customers continue to trust both them and Palletforce because they know they will receive quality, efficient service built on years of experience.”

FULLERS Logistics, a 3PL operating out of multiple sites in the Thames Valley, has become a shareholder member of the Palletforce network.

2011 sees Fullers Logistics celebrate its 50th anniversary of working in partnership with leading household brands.

Russell Cowley, Commercial Director at Fullers, said: "The decision to establish an alliance with Palletforce is based on a strategic and cultural fit, not least of which centres around high standards of customer care and a keen appreciation of environmental responsibility.”

Both Fullers Logistics and Palletforce are reaping the benefit of working together.

Ben Timms, Palletforce Operations Manager at Fullers Logistics, said: "We have already secured a major contract with a company to deliver around 200 pallets a week and are in advanced discussions with other companies that send out small palletised consignments.”

Michael Conroy, Chief Executive of Palletforce, said: "We have started the year as we mean to go on by expanding our membership and adding another highly regarded and experienced company to the network.

"Fullers have grown year on year and we are delighted they have chosen us as partners to continue that expansion.”

In addition to the group’s 50-strong fleet, the collection and delivery vehicles enable Fullers to provide extremely high quality and innovative distribution services that meet the needs of its customers.

"Like Palletforce we are a well-established company with a reputation for high quality service and investment, and we stand for environmental responsibility at every turn of the wheel,” said Russell.

PALLETFORCE, the UK’s leading palletised distribution network, and their members have raised £9,000 for charity at their Annual General Meeting.

The money was raised through an auction at their AGM earlier this month for the Midlands Air Ambulance and Cancer Research UK.

The prizes on offer at the auction included signed framed photos of Eric Cantona and Michael Schumacher, a television, vintage champagne and a signed photo of Geoff Hurst.

"The Midlands Air Ambulance and Cancer Research UK are two very worthy causes that we were only too happy to support,” said Palletforce Chief Executive Michael Conroy.

"As usual, our members were extremely generous and the money raised will hopefully make a real difference to these charities.”

The charities were chosen by Palletforce staff who were asked who they wanted to support at the AGM.

Palletforce staff also saw the work of the air ambulance first hand when their helicopter landed at the network’s distribution hub in Burton-upon-Trent last year as it responded to a nearby traffic collision.

Stef Langford-Brown, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Midlands Air Ambulance, said: "This generous donation by Palletforce is a great way to kick off our 20th anniversary year.

"As a charity we rely on donations from local businesses to raise the £6 million needed to remain operational. This donation will fund several life-saving missions of which we perform 3,000 each year.

"I would like to say thank you to everyone that donated throughout the evening and I look forward to working with Palletforce throughout this very special year.”

Carole Ibbotson, Area Volunteer Manager for Cancer Research UK, said: "Cancer Research UK’s  mission is to carry  out world class research to improve our understanding of cancer and find out how to prevent, diagnose and treat different kinds of cancer and to ensure that our findings are used to improve the lives of all cancer patients. 

"One in three of us will at some point in our lives be touched by cancer and we rely so much on our local companies who fundraise on our behalf.

"I would like to thank everyone at Palletforce for their generosity, their support and for helping to raise such a magnificent amount of money which will be used wisely in our pioneering research.”

WHITE Logistics has taken on two new members of staff after they completed the company’s first ever apprenticeships.

The firm took on the apprentices a year ago and have now offered them both full-time positions.

Ben Darby, 19, is now working in the Pershore-based firm’s warehouse while Liam Harris, 18, is based in the traffic office.

Ben, whose duties include driving fork lift trucks and picking and packing orders, said: "I did my A-Levels at sixth form college and then decided I wanted to do something a bit different and learn some new skills.”

Liam, whose role involves routing the company vehicles, said: "Before I got the apprenticeship I did a year at college but I didn’t really enjoy being in a classroom, I wanted to have some new experiences and get a job.

"There’s a lot of problem-solving involved in the job and I really enjoy it.”

Stephen King, Health, Safety and Training Manager, said: "Ben and Liam did very well during their apprenticeships and it’s a bonus to the company to have them here as full-time staff.

"They were both very enthusiastic at the interview stage and they’ve stayed that way.

"The apprenticeships have really worked for us as a company.”

Following the success of the first ever apprenticeships at White Logistics, the firm is looking to instate some new apprentices.

Stephen has also been asked to speak at an event during National Apprentice Week (February 7 – 11) about the benefits of apprenticeships.

"If you take on someone fresh like an apprentice they’re not tainted by previous employment and different ways of working,” said Stephen.

"Apprentices can slot quite easily into your way of working, you can train them in the relevant skills and if any employment opportunities arise you already have ideal candidates available.”

Stephen will be speaking about White Logistics experience of apprenticeships at an event on February 8 at Volvo Trucks UK headquarters in Warwick.

The event has been organised by Skills for Logistics, who got involved with the firm after they signed up to a skills pledge to offer opportunities and development for staff.