PalletForce into Europe
Palletised distribution network PalletForce which has just completed its first year of trading, has revealed plans to launch a European service.
“We have a member, Gillimot, based in Kampenhault, Belgium, and Ripon-based Nidd transport covering Spain and Portugal,” says chief executive Mick Scarlett. “We will develop these from January.”
Palletforce, which started trading in October 31, 2001, announced a turnover in excess of £8m in its first full year and says it has handled more than half a million pallets. It now has 56 shareholder members owning 82% of its shares.
Three directors own the remaining 18%.
The firm says it has recruited members from all over the leading independent networks and has a limited number of open points, including north-west London, Tunbridge Wells and Cambridgeshire.
Scarlett says that though-put is at a rate of 2,500 pallets a night.
A new IT system will also be implicated in the middle of next year following the completion of a review by IT consultants. “I cant say too much but the emphasis will be on tack and trace an real time,” says Scarlett.
The key members of PalletFoce are Bedfords Transport based in Leeds, RG Bassets based in Stoke and Freight Force Distribution of Norwich.
Newcomer H Young Transport, based in Eastleigh, Hampshire has seen volumes it put into the system rise ahead of expectations.
Operations director John Braxton says “We only joined in July this year but we have already reached the 12 month pan numbers.”
He adds: “PalletForce was the preferred choice because we’d heard good reports and it allowed H Young to buy in as shareholder.”
Harris Transport, Southampton, and 21st Century Logistics, a part of Dodd’s group and covering Canterbury and Maidstone, have joined PalletForce, the company announced on Tuesday.
