If you thought pallets were all about heavy freight, not fulfilment, think again, says Peter Rowlands. This is the era of the pallet networks, and they have a role in fulfilment and home deliveries too
Read MoreFar from reaching their peak, pallet networks still have much traffic to go after. The sector needs to talk up inherent efficiencies more strongly, TPN chairman argues. Pallet networks “have a very large market still to attack”, says Richard Eldred, chairman and co-founder of The Pallet Network. A study this year had shown that the market share of all networks was 4.8% and revenues total GBP528m in 2004; but forecast an increase to 13.5% market share and revenues of GBP1.65bn in 2008. He told the UK Express Delivery conference organised by Triangle in Birmingham last week that reports of complaints from some large distribution contractors that customers are becoming too demanding on timed deliveries is “great news for networks”. Network members have a great story to tell about how the networks have taken the cost out of pallet distribution and been able to pass on much of that to customers; they should be even more pro-active in telling that story, he said.
Read MorePalletline has entered into a strategic alliance with the Hazchem Network. This will enable its members to remain at the forefront of the industry by joining the first system dedicated exclusively to the distribution of palletised ADR.
Read MoreA family-run distribution business has helped secure the future of its workforce by joining a new network dedicated to the movement of hazardous goods throughout the UK. Total Logistics Products (TLP) employs 32 workers at its headquarters at the Lymedale Business Park, Newcastle. The firm jumped at the chance of joining the new Hazchem Network, which has been created to respond to a growing requirement by major chemical companies, which have been looking for a fast, efficient and cost-effective way of collecting and delivering products in smaller quantities more frequently. The Hazchem Network will initially consist of 20 members, all of whom have extensive experience of moving hazardous goods on pallets safely throughout the UK.
Read MoreA next-day pallet network dedicated to hazardous goods began operations on 8 October and has already moved its first 1,000 pallets.
MD Jim Scanlan and safety and technical director Ali Karim joined forces to set up the HazChem Network after separately working on the same idea. Scanlan brought the hub-and-spoke expertise, having worked with Fortec before launching The Pallet Network in 2000. Trained chemist Karim developed knowledge of chemical distribution with TDG and Interoute.
Karim claimed UK packaged chemical distribution was “not as robust as it could be, unlike bulk”. In his previous role, he said he had experienced problems with outreach distribution, especially where gas cylinders were concerned.
The HazChem Network accepts all classes of hazardous material at its 5,500sq metre hub in Rugby except radioactive, explosive and biologically infectious materials.
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