PalletFORCE celebrates fifth anniversary

PalletFORCE is celebrating five years of operation, during which time the Network has made a significant impact on the UK palletised distribution market.

The Network began on 31st August 2001, when 560 pallets were handled from 36 Member Depots. This was the result of a considerable period of hard work behind the scenes by Chief Executive Mick Scarlett, as he wooed Member Depots with the promise of a Network that is run very differently to its competitors.

PalletFORCE’s competitive advantage is that it is “the Network owned by its Members.” Unlike other Networks, which prioritise central contracts to the detriment of members, PalletFORCE generates little or no business through the hub. Instead, the Network has fostered a shared user system that invites mutual respect and the highest commitment to quality and service.

Since then, PalletFORCE has acquired a reputation as one of the fastest growing palletised distribution networks in the UK. By November 2003, the Network was moving 3,500 pallets per night and currently handles around 6,000 per night, with the capability to handle 12,000. In the last five years, PalletFORCE has more than doubled its number of Member Depots and nearly quadrupled its warehousing space.

In an increasingly saturated market, it is reckoned that PalletFORCE will be a significant player in the future. During the last year, the Network has invested heavily in new check-weighing and IT technology – the state-of-the-art PinPoint track-and-trace system – to further enhance its capabilities.
MF
In order to take the Network into the next five years, PalletFORCE now looks to refine its direction to “PROVIDE INNOVATIVE LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR MEMBERS.”

This philosophy is designed to encourage a diversification of services beyond the core role of a traditional pallet network into other areas where the Network can add value to Members’ own businesses

Mick Scarlett, Chief Executive of PalletFORCE, comments: “Our fifth anniversary provides an ideal opportunity to celebrate all of the hard work our Members have put in to making PalletFORCE such an instant success in the world of palletised distribution.

“Nonetheless, we cannot be complacent. This remains a competitive market and already we are looking forward to the next five years.

“It is for this reason that we have launched the Network’s new mission statement. We want to focus attention on potential areas where PalletFORCE can make a difference to the long term financial performance of our membership.”
Ends

Caption: Mick Scarlett (left), Chief Executive of PalletFORCE and Neil Carpenter, Commercial & Finance Director toast the Network’s 5th Birthday.

Press enquiries to:
Peter Robinson/Simon Kinnear
PWR Marketing
Tel: 01283 552553
Fax: 01283 552528
email: [email protected]