Storm passes at upbeat Pall-Ex

Pallet company will be pleased to see the back of 2003 but is looking forward to 2004. Members say it is in good shape to meet expected increase in competition.
Pall-Ex has come through a tough year but now is well placed to cope with increasing competition in the pallets sector, company owner Hillary Devy says.
She was speaking to more than 500 principals and staff from network member companies at a gala dinner in Newport last weekend.
Devy joked wryly about the move to a new depot early this year. To say the move had posed challenges would be an understatement, she said. But making things better can be painful.
‘We sometimes forget that the storm will pass. We may have dropped a few balls but, like Jonny Wilkinson we’ve put the most important ones between the posts,’ she said.
Devy paid tribute to the network, which still includes half of the founder members of seven years ago and said Pall-Ex wants to work much closely with members.
Network members Motor Transport spoke to at the event were all strongly upbeat about Pall-Ex. Noting network discipline and Pall-IT information technology. The new hub now gives a clear advantage, they said.
Earlier IT director Robin Batchford said that PoD copying is well advanced and will go online throughout the network n the new year. He aims to have in-cab PoD confirmation available and online throughout the network next summer- which would make a first for the company.
Barcode scanning is now fully operational at the hub, raising efficiency and improving operational control. The scanning is done in a separate area of the hub, away from the transit warehouse.
· Pall-Ex award winners at the dinner last weekend were: Making a difference, Edsons Distribution; Trunk Driver of the Year, David Friend from Cannons; Outstanding contribution, Leach Distribution (runners-up Inter County and STD Developments); Depot of the Year, Leach Distribution (runners-up Inter County and WH Bowker).