Palletline cashes in the European links
Palletline is linking up with 2 European pallet networks. The move has been boosted by an increas in European companies looking to use pallet networks to distribute goods in the UK. It is creating an alliance with a French and a German company, both of which are owned by their members. The French partner is Interpool, while the German company is ILN – International Logistics Network.
We see these companies as a nice fit in business, culture and style, says Steve Haywood, Palletline chief executive. We have taken our time and looked at the companies carefully.
Palletline which is celebrating its 10th anniversary next month, will offer a 3 day service, for example collecting pallets on the Monday and delivering them to 90% of France and Germany by the end of play on the Wednesday. Meanwhile it will continue to deliver to Spain through its member Framtons.
Haywood says the majority of goods will be coming into the UK from the partners, a result of the big imbalance of trade. ILN, which is based outside Cologne, has 90 depots and 12 regional shipment points across Germany. The company started 4 years ago and although primarily moves pallets, also has some parcels business.
The 2 year old French operation is based in Paris and has 60 member companies. The trading between Palletline and the 2 networks will be at a rate set in euros, although the price to the UK customer will be in sterling. There will be daily trunks between the Palletline hub in Birmingham and the continental operations.
