5 August, 2024

Palletower Bolsters Portfolio with Triple Acquisition

Posted on 5 August, 202429 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Palletower, a UK manufacturer, stockist and supplier of storage and logistics equipment, has announced that it has accelerated its growth and product offering with a triple acquisition.The business has acquired WP Group, Astirvant and Yorkshire Storage.

By completing this multi-acquisition investment, Palletower aims to position itself as a dominant player in the North West racking market and expand its offering to allow for businesses to come to Palletower for an end-to-end product and service offering.

Palletower customers are now able to purchase storage and logistics equipment, but also benefit from a range of racking services including: site visit and consultation, design and specification, storage product solutions, installation and aftercare, as well as routine safety inspections.

Founded in 1988, WP Group is a leading UK supplier of industrial racking systems and specialist mezzanine floor installations and shelving systems. Similarly, Yorkshire Storage and Astirvant specialise in assisting businesses in maximising their space, providing workplace solutions, from everyday essential workplace equipment to full office and warehouse fit-outs. All three of the acquired companies have been a market player in the North West for over three decades and have built up a loyal customer base. Palletower will therefore not only benefit from strengthening its product and service offering but will also amplify its customers base.

This strategic move from Palletower enhances its capabilities and extends the company’s reach while further increasing its extensive product range to customers. Furthermore, the triple acquisition will allow for even greater efficiency and innovation internally.

Optimised service

Matthew Palmer, Managing Director at Palletower commented, “This multi-acquisition provides Palletower with the opportunity of offering its customers a full end-to-end storage equipment solution. Customers will be able to come to us for storage planning all the way through to purchasing storage and logistics solutions, and will no longer need to source multiple suppliers. As such we are delighted in supporting further growth with Astirvant, Yorkshire Storage and WP Group under the Palletower Group and are looking forward to providing an optimised product and service solution to our customers.”

Nick Robinson at WP Group said, “This is extremely positive news for our team and customers. We are excited about the possibilities that this partnership brings and look forward to meeting the needs of our customers with enhanced efficiency. We are excited to align our offerings and work together to dominate the storage and logistics market.”

similar news

Equipment Provider Palletower Opens First European Office

How to Prevent Conveyor Malfunctions

Posted on 5 August, 202431 July, 2025 by David Priestman

The rise of ecommerce has changed the retail landscape irrevocably over the last couple of decades – and its growth shows no signs of slowing. The industry is expected to show an annual growth rate of 4.43% over the next few years, resulting in a projected market volume of £113.40bn by 2028.1 It’s an exciting time for the warehousing industry, which is churning out parcels for home delivery at an unprecedented rate.

But whether the business is ecommerce-based or something else, to keep up with customer expectations many warehouses now rely on automated conveyor systems to transport orders rapidly through packaging and labelling processes and on for delivery. The technology has ramped up productivity massively by greatly reducing processing times. But for as much profit all of these parcels are making, there is as much to lose should anything go awry with the conveyor technology.

The cost of conveyor malfunctions

It’s estimated that in a typical warehouse facility, an automated conveyor system can process up to 7,000 parcels per hour. This number reduces to 1-2,000 by hand if the system stops. Time is money in this industry, so unexpected breakdowns delay order fulfilment and lead to dissatisfied customers. And the negative consequences of reputational damage can be much longer lasting than the downtime itself. Much like the family car, conveyor systems rely on regular maintenance and servicing to keep them running at optimal performance.

There are numerous things that can go wrong with an automated conveyor system. Parts such as conveyor drive bands, belts, bearings, motors and lineshafts etc may wear out over time. A lot of warehouses and factories can be dusty environments, dust accumulation can hinder the smooth operation of conveyor belts and other moving parts, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced efficiency as well as a risk of fire.

As the dust accumulates within the system, it can also act as an abrasive, accelerating the wear and tear of moving parts and eventually clogging up the machinery until things grind to a halt. Regular maintenance and lubrication are essential, to keep conveyor systems running smoothly and reduce the likelihood of costly repairs and disruptive downtime.

Preventative maintenance

As well as the ongoing smooth functioning of the system, preventative maintenance also provides the best value return on investment by prolonging the lifespan of the equipment. Indeed, technology installed by leading ecommerce specialist CSL over 25 years ago is still in regular use thanks to consistent maintenance.

Aside from financial considerations, maintenance of conveyor systems is also a safety issue. If not adequately maintained, loose components or failed safety features can result in accidents. Routine maintenance and safety checks help to avoid such incidents and ensure that the system remains compliant with current health and safety regulations. Automated conveyor technology can also be linked to a warehouse’s fire alarm system, meaning that the system will immediately halt should the fire alarm be set off, potentially reducing the risk of harm.

Planning for a contingency

As with the family car example, ongoing maintenance of conveyor technology is something that needs to be budgeted for from the outset. When things unexpectedly go wrong, the cost of spare parts and repairs can be an unwelcome cost. However depending on individual needs, a good technology provider will offer a range of maintenance packages to suit you.

Ed Wainman, After Sales Manager at CSL explained: “Every company we deal with has different needs, so we offer a range of maintenance options. Some use our spare parts packages, where they have parts readily available for inhouse repair. Others go for our full spec packages with remote software support and on-call engineers. But whatever the case, in my experience a system is much less likely to break down if it’s regularly serviced and maintained.”

Ultimately warehousing bosses must weigh up the ongoing cost of maintenance packages against the possible short and long-term costs of sudden breakdowns and repairs. With many companies offering service contracts ranging from one to five years with added advantages such as discounts on parts and access to round the clock support, there’s plenty of room for flexibility.

Minimising the cost of downtime

The rapid turnaround and delivery of products has become embedded in the consumer landscape of our society. Even with the best technology in place, there will be times when the unexpected happens and repairs or adjustments need to be made. Prolonged periods of downtime can be catastrophic to businesses that are dependent on conveyor technology, so keeping it running at peak performance needs to be a priority. The quickest and least disruptive way to prevent and respond to malfunctions is to have a maintenance agreement in place. There are many options out there to suit different sized companies and needs, but a good technology provider will also be willing to offer bespoke solutions to suit individual requirements.

Similar news

Conveyor Maintenance and Success in Ecommerce

Second Daily Rail Freight Service from Felixstowe Port

Posted on 5 August, 202429 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Stobart Ports, a British logistics supply partner for container transport, announces the commencement of a second daily train service between the Port of Felixstowe and Widnes. This new service, launched in partnership with GB Railfreight, comes as a response to the substantial demand following the initial service’s success since October 2023.

Stobart Ports will now operate an additional five trains weekly, elevating the total number of services between Felixstowe and Widnes to eleven per week. This enhancement underscores Stobart Ports’ commitment to sustainable transport solutions and operational efficiency. By introducing this new service, approximately 500 HGV movements will be removed from the UK’s road network each week, significantly alleviating congestion and enhancing road safety.

“Rail reduces carbon emissions by up to 76% compared to road transport, which is why we continue to invest heavily in rail logistics,” said Sean French, Managing Director of Stobart Ports, “This year alone, Stobart Ports have moved over 100,000 containers by rail, cutting road miles and saving around 20,000 tonnes of CO2. Our ongoing investment in rail not only maintains our leadership in UK rail logistics but also supports our environmental goals.”

The Widnes site, which is ETSF and AFSO accredited, offers comprehensive final mile and storage solutions, further complementing the rail services. The strategic location and state-of-the-art facilities ensure that Stobart Ports can provide unparalleled service to its customers, fostering the modal switch to rail.

“We are delighted to accept another GB Railfreight service from the Port of Felixstowe into Stobart Ports Widnes,” added French, “This expansion enhances our rail schedule to over 50 rail services per week, demonstrating our dedication to providing efficient and eco-friendly logistics solutions.”

Julie Garn, Head of Intermodal at GB Railfreight, commented, “We’re delighted to introduce this new service with Stobart, effectively doubling the volume we transport between Felixstowe and Widnes. Having already moved 100k boxes in and out of the Port of Felixstowe in 2024, we aim to double this figure by year’s end.”

The partnership between Stobart Ports and GB Railfreight highlights a shared vision of growth and sustainability. As the logistics industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, the expansion of rail services stands out as a critical solution. The benefits of this expanded service extend beyond environmental gains. The reduction in road traffic contributes to safer roads and reduced wear and tear on infrastructure, which is advantageous for communities and local governments. Additionally, by enhancing connectivity and efficiency in freight transport, Stobart Ports supports the broader economic landscape, facilitating smoother trade and commerce.

Similar News

Stobart chooses Flexi Trucks for beverage handling