Tag: Road Transport

Palletline plc has embarked on a highly rigorous programme of independent accreditation for its members – the first ever truly independent member audit undertaken by a UK pallet distribution network.

Palletline has commissioned the Freight Transport Association to audit all of its 67 member companies across the UK on all aspects of their operations – from insurance and health and safety, to disaster recovery planning and correct usage of Palletline livery on vehicles.

The findings will from the basis of a three-level accreditation scheme with member companies set to be offered financial incentives to reach the highest standard.

The first assessments will take place in early 2008 and these will be repeated annually from then on.

This project follows on from Palletline’s recent achievement of the ISO9001:2000 quality standard.

Kevin Buchanan, Managing Director of Palletline, commented: “We already undertake highly rigorous internal quality audits, but having recently gained ISO accreditation we wanted to demonstrate further how seriously we take the issue of quality, by opening up the network to stringent and independent scrutiny by a leading industry body.

“This process will provide further reassurance to both current and prospective customers of Palletline of the quality of our members and the service on offer.

“It’s also an example of how, once again, Palletline is at the forefront of innovation and continuous improvement in the palletised freight distribution sector.”

More than 300 members, customers and guests from across the UK gathered at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel for a special gala event to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Palletline, the UK’s most experienced palletised freight distribution network.

Established in the autumn of 1992, Palletline established the model for all the other networks founded since then and now handles more than 8,000 pallets each night – a far cry from the first night when just a few hundred pallets went through the hub.

Guests enjoyed a drinks reception followed by a sumptuous dinner and entertainment by magician Paul Daniels and comedian David Copperfield.

Palletline Director Kevin Buchanan stated: “The Palletline network has come a long, long way since 1992 but what has not changed are our traditional values of reliability, integrity and top-quality customer service.

“Palletline remains very much the model that other networks still follow and with further plans for network expansion and new initiatives to further enhance operations and service quality, very exciting times lie ahead for us.”