Networks to speak with a single voice

Pallet networks are poised to form their own trade association, although levels of enthusiasm vary.
It will be led by Paul Sanders, who founded Weaver Pallet Express and then sold it to Business Post, where it was renamed UK Pallets. He remained as MD until last autumn.
The idea has grown out of informal meetings centred on health and safety matters.
Sanders told Motor Transport this week: “We are exploring the potential of an association called the Association of Pallet Networks. I was approached to chair the meetings because I am an independent now.”
APN has the mission statement to promote the safety and efficiency of the pallet networks and to provide a platform for the promotion of pallet network concept to customers, especially those in the public sector, he says.
“This is a young, highly efficient part of the industry and we need to promote that,” sanders says.
Representatives at the meeting last Thursday included Palletways chide executive James Wilson, Fortec’s Rod Abrahams and Pallet-Track chairman Jack Corrie. Pall-Ex PalletForce, TPN and UPN were also present but UK Pallets and Palletline were not represented.
Pall-Ex MD Hilary Devey says: “The pallet network is a mature sector and like the parcels sector we want trading standards. Obviously we are protective of our own businesses; so it has to be done carefully… but there are the areas of health and safety, recruitment of members and security which we will discuss with the aim to set standards across the sector.
“We can also help with the government representation of the haulage industry, alongside the RHA.”
Palletline MD Glyn Jones says: “The concept has some merit.. we would be able to share best practice because nobody has a monopoly on good ideas.”
Another network director, who asked not to be named, was sceptical, telling MT: “it will never work. We are all competitors.”