Pall-Ex owner Devey says: ‘Let them speculate’

Pall-Ex annual dinner moves to Hyde Park, London and hears confident boss looking forward to future of growth. More hauliers expected to join.

Pall-Ex owner Hilary Devey shrugged off speculation as to her “exit strategy”, when she addressed network members at their annual dinner dance last Saturday. She told 440 people at the InterContinental Hotel in London: “Let them speculate. I’ll get on with the job, making Pall-Ex more successful, more prestigious and more profitable.” Devey, notably confident and relaxed, promised investment, growth and innovation, and allowed herself a joke about flooding at the new hub, which had been worked so hard that the floor had “broken into a sweat”. “Pall-Ex will always be the number one network,” she said. Networking with Pall-Ex provides a cushion for firms in a tough market. “Pall-Ex is committed to extending its range of services to mitigate the financial and operational impact of the reduction of large haulage fleets,” Devey said. The closure of Stoford Transport proved that Pall-Ex is the jewel in the crown, she said. Stoford had fallen victim to market forces despite superhuman commitment from its directors; but the Pall-Ex side of the business was healthy (and is now Pall-Ex South West). Pall-Ex currently has 90 members and continues to grow. Sharples said it was more difficult for her to know everyone personally, as she had when the network was small. But she urged members to hold on to the values of “respect, support and dignity”. “It’s the camaraderie that sets us apart. Don’t let each other and the network down – our professional lives depend upon it.” “Change is inevitable, in a challenging and dynamic environment. But Pall-Ex has the physical and intellectual capacity to take the business forward, with greater breadth and depth in the management team than it had at the start of the year” she said.