The Force is with them
PalletForce is attracting members from its competitors because they seek the financial and decision-making benefits of being a shareholder, according to chief executive Mick Scarlett. Speaking at the first Logistics Link North held at Doncaster Racecourse last week, Scarlett said rivals are also losing members because they are too focused on growth rather than quality of service. Latest newcomers to the network are Turbo Express, joining from Palletways to cover the BB area and Griffin Logistics from Fortec to cover parts of the NG and S postcodes. Sussex-based Jempsons will join from Palletways in February 2005. “Every decision we make is driven by the membership and maintaining the efficiency and quality of the operation. It’s about the network and not about private profit and companies are buying into that,” Scralett says. “We are picking up members from other networks because the members believe they have lost their way, they are so focused on growth they do not look after their members. At PalletForce the growth just happens through our focus on quality.” The network has launched an efficiency drive in a bid to help members streamline their operations. “We’ve put a lot of resources into further improving the efficiency of the network, through initiatives such as moving delivery boundaries and improving imbalances at the trunking stage. It’s our way of managing our growth,” says Scarlett. PalletForce has commissioned logistics consultant Bisham to develop a model for efficient operation in a network. The model is being made available to members to measure their operation against, to highlight any areas which could be approved. The uptake among members has been good according to Scarlett. PalletForce says it will make a final decision on its planned (pounds sterling)300,000 investment in IT within the next month. “It’s going to involve a huge change and will bring us close to the technology used in the parcels sector,” says Scarlett. The company is also close to making an announcement on a new hub location. It is looking at both medium and long-term solutions, he says.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Reed Business Information Ltd.
