UK Nightspeed set to move into pallets

Tipton-based Nightspeed Secure Worldwide Express has revealed it is to move into the pallet sector through a partnership, to include cross-selling of services, with an existing network. Alistair Meikle, sales and marketing director, says: “We’re not going to hang around on this and are in the process of talking to a system.” Nightspeed’s announcement follows Business Post’s takeover of Weaver at the end of July last year which sparked industry rumour of more pallet and parcel partnerships, with ANC admitting it too had been holding talks. “I’m really envious of pallet systems which are currently experiencing the enormous volume growth that the parcel sector saw in the late 1980s. It’s a great time to be in pallets,” says Nightspeed managing director Ian Pickford. The move into pallets is one of a number of initiatives announced by the parcels firm to meet its 10% growth target for the coming year. Nightspeed, which currently has an annual turnover of (pounds sterling)40m, is to open two new depots. One will be based in the South Yorkshire region and will be operational by the end of June, and the other will be in the South-west and open in early-2005. “We want to grow the business profitably and a number of growth opportunities which will enable us to serve customers better have become clear in these areas,” says Pickford. A key development will be Govmail, a new service run in partnership with the Government Car and Despatch Agency. It has a framework agreement to bid for government contracts. Nightspeed plans to introduce a next-day Saturday morning service, and to extend its existing insurance service to customers. It is also considering applying for a licence to deliver bulk mail. Business Post started such a service this month and TPG and Deutsche Post are at an advanced stage. Nightspeed has 550 vehicles and has 23 depots around the UK.