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Tag: pallet network

Milestone with Latest Consignment

Posted on by David Priestman

Wolverhampton, UK-based pallet network Pallet-Track has moved 30 million consignments without losing a single pallet in the hub.

Pallet-Track has just handled the milestone consignment at its central hub on Millfields Road, after moving 56 million individual pallets during its 19 years of operation. The consignment, which was sent to Hull-based plumbers’ merchants James Hargreaves and contained bathroom supplies, was collected by Action Express in Northampton and transported to the network’s central hub, before being delivered to its final destination by Harrison Solway Logistics.

The central hub’s no lost pallets achievement is due to the significant investments Pallet-Track has made in tracking technology, which is used by every haulier in its network of 90-plus members.
It has partnered with software specialist Vigo to provide improved visibility on all consignments that are transported by its network, with each individual pallet scanned nine times from its collection point to its delivery destination.

The comprehensive scanning procedures have seen nearly half a billion tracking events recorded to date. Pallet-Track handled 852 pallets on its first night in February 2004 and now averages 18,000 pallets per night at its 267,000 sq ft distribution centre.

Caroline Green, chief executive at Pallet-Track, said: “This is a significant achievement for our network members, and demonstrates the strength of our position in the sector. We have invested heavily in our software to ensure that Pallet-Track offers the most reliable service for palletised goods, which is underlined by the fact that we haven’t lost a single pallet in almost two decades. Thanks to our hub and spoke model, we’ve also ensured that the 56 million pallets handled by Pallet-Track have been delivered in the most efficient way, helping to reduce environmental impact. As a pallet network, we’ve come a long way since our first night of operation and continue to develop our service and future-proof our network for the benefit of our members, who have enabled us to celebrate this milestone.”

John Vickers, managing director at Vigo Software, said: “Vigo Software is proud to have been a key part of the growth and success of Pallet-Track. At Vigo, we always strive to provide our customers with the tools and support they need to achieve their strategic goals. Our partnership with Pallet-Track has enabled us to anticipate and fulfil their needs and that of their member depots and their customers. Vigo is committed to continuing this partnership and providing innovative solutions for the logistics industry and their customers.”

Pallet-Track handles consignments from a wide range of businesses, including manufacturers, retailers and industrial brands, transporting anything from building and construction materials, to consumer goods.

Network’s Future Accelerates with Innovation Partner

Posted on by David Priestman

The world of logistics might not seem an obvious fit for AI, but Leicestershire based Pall-Ex is embracing this powerful technology to help deliver a more efficient and improved level of customer service.

Partnering with The Algorithm People, a transport optimisation specialist delivering a suite of products and services using powerful algorithms based upon artificial intelligence, Pall-Ex will be able to offer best in class tracking for customers.

Following an extensive tender process, Pall-Ex chose The Algorithm People’s Optimize package to help deliver its NexusETA project. This is the latest addition to its Nexus freight tracking software which will have the capability to calculate the estimated time of freight arrival and provide a delivery time window to its customers and the goods recipients. Optimize is designed to provide optimisation, decarbonisation and innovation to fleet operators. Its technology roadmap will enable Pall-Ex Group to not only deliver the first phase of NexusETA, but also support its future vision and objectives.

Dave Dunhill, Chief Technology Officer at Pall-Ex Group, commented: “NexusETA is a significant project that will deliver a magnitude of benefits to our partners, members and customers. I am delighted we are partnering with The Algorithm People as they can provide the innovative technology required to deliver this project. In addition, we were impressed by their appetite to succeed and be a part of the Pall-Ex Group technology journey.”

Colin Ferguson, CEO at The Algorithm People, added: “We are proud to be supporting Pall-Ex Group in delivering its vision for the next significant addition to the Nexus platform. Our algorithms will help to provide an innovative solution for the business, bringing major benefits to customers with a more specific indicator of when their goods are due to arrive.”

Pall-Ex Group has a 24-hour operation which requires detailed and accurate planning tools. The addition of NexusETA will help the business to make communication with its customers smoother benefitting its entire network base.

Palletways celebrates Hungarian success

Posted on by David Priestman

The Palletways Group, belonging to Imperial, a DP World company, is celebrating four years since it expanded its coverage across the continent, as the launch of its network in Biatorbagy opened up export opportunities to and from Hungary.

Over the past four years, the 110+-strong team, including drivers, operational, office and member employees, have all played an important role in the transportation of 550,000 domestic and international pallet deliveries. Its fleet of 80 vehicles have moved 240,000 tonnes of consignments – the equivalent of 10,000 fully-loaded trucks – which have covered more than four million kilometres.

Situated in the western suburbs of Budapest, the network has grown considerably over the past four years. Today, it works with 14 local transport companies, up almost 30% since its launch in 2018, that provide 100% coverage across the country.

It handles the shipping requirements of more than 700 customers and it’s the logistics partner for some of the largest agricultural and construction material providers in the country. More than 50% of its volumes come from retail and processing industries.

Rob Gittins, Managing Director for Palletways UK, said: “For those UK companies who already export goods to Hungary, or those who are considering doing so, Palletways UK has the capabilities to provide an efficient service utilising our pan European network and advanced IT systems to move pallets quickly across the continent to Budapest. Hungary is just one of the strong connections across international markets that our UK customers and members can harness to support the requirements of British exporters.”

Palletways performance exceeds expectations

Luis Zubialde, CEO for the Palletways Group, added: “The performance of the Hungarian network over the past four years has exceeded expectations and it has fast become an integral part of the Palletways Group.

“The country is the 35th largest export economy in the world with a heavy emphasis on foreign trade. International services are an incredibly important and attractive part of our network operations and branching out into this new territory opened up a range of opportunities. While Germany and Italy are significant markets for Hungary due to the geographic locations, the network has enabled our members and their customers across our other networks in the UK, the Benelux and Iberia access to a larger pool of consumers and businesses.

“Our ambitious plans for further expansion into new territories remain. We’re committed to entering new territories, to open up opportunities for our members and their customers so they can ship to even more destinations across the globe.”

Founded in the UK in 1994, the Palletways Group began developing its pan-European network in 2002, starting with Italy. Today, it operates in 23 countries and currently works with more than 450 depots and over 20 hubs.

www.palletways.com

Network expands from Hungary into Slovakia

Posted on by David Priestman

The Palletways Group, part of Imperial Group and Europe’s largest and fastest growing express palletised freight network, has expanded its Hungarian network to now include Slovakia.

This expanded network will operate from Hungary’s hub in Biatorbágy in the Western suburbs of Budapest, as its prime location means it is well-positioned to perform as a cross-dock platform for the Hungarian-Slovakian cross-border traffic but also for handling domestic consignments.

The network will offer Palletways’ full range of domestic and international services including a domestic next day Premium service, Economy service and AM delivery, all with full Track and Trace.

Marek Ondrejcak, area manager who will head up the Slovak area, comments: “Slovakia shares a 655km long border with Hungary and there are strong cultural, commercial, and economic ties between the two countries so expanding the already successful Hungarian operation is a logical step to increase Palletways’ geographical footprint in Eastern Europe.

“We’ve already recruited nine independent transport providers that bring with them a combination of industry experience, technical and operational excellence and an unwavering motivation to expand Palletways’ services and we’re looking forward to seeing what we achieve as a collective over the coming months.”

Peter Kovacs, managing director at Palletways Hungary and Slovakia, adds: “Slovakia has an advanced high-income economy. It has grown with an above-average rate compared with the overall EU average and it’s a rapidly growing market. As the world’s 35th largest exporter in the world, the value of Slovakian exports accounts for 89% of GDP and our international service will be a crucial element of this new network.”

Luis Zubialde, Palletways’ group chief executive officer, concludes: “We launched the Hungarian network couple of years ago so to expand into Slovakia so quickly is a significant achievement. The expansion presents a fantastic opportunity for Palletways customers and members who can now deliver to even more European destinations. It also sends out a strong message to the marketplace about our unwavering commitment for ongoing growth.”

With this expansion into Slovakia, the Palletways Group now covers 24 European countries, with over 450 local member depots.

 

Palletways celebrates 15 years in Iberia

Posted on by David Priestman

The Palletways Group is celebrating its longstanding presence in Spain, 15 years after the launch of its Iberia network which is targeting 15% growth over the coming year.

Luis Zubialde, Palletways’ group chief executive officer, said: “It became evident that if we were to provide additional capacity across Europe, we had to break into Iberia. The launch of the network was a critical move for the Group which allowed our members and their customers to access other European markets.

“Launching into this new European territory has made sound commercial sense and our Iberia team has worked continually hard to maintain sustained growth. This has resulted in the network doubling in size over the past five years and based on current forecasts, we expect the network will grow by 15% over the next 12 months. These key indicators of market growth send out a strong message to the marketplace about our unwavering commitment for continued dominance in the pallet network sector.”

The Iberia network currently operates 80 depots and three hubs in Madrid, Zaragoza and Jaén and serves the Iberian Peninsula and Islands via its 70-strong member network. And despite the challenges resulting from the pandemic, the Palletways Group continues to experience phenomenal success in Iberia when the network moved a record-breaking one million pallets over the past 12 months.

Gregorio Hernando, managing director at Palletways Iberia, added: “From the moment the Palletways Group launched the Iberia network, the local market welcomed the new palletised freight service with gusto, so much so we launched into Portugal just two years later.

“We’ve seen a great deal of change over the past decade and a half however we’re as committed and determined as we’ve ever been to innovate to stay ahead of environmental and market trends. Our new services such as PalletwaysOnline and Pallets to Consumers (P2C), specifically for home deliveries, have reinforced our position in the sector and importantly, have been well received by our members and their customers.

“Our appetite for growth continues, as does our commitment to create jobs, incorporate technological improvements in our operations and optimise our facilities and processes for the benefit of staff, our members and their customers.”

 

 

Pallet-Track expands Black Country hub

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Leading logistics business Pallet-Track has opened a new UK hub to provide much-needed additional capacity, just yards away from the original Black Country facility it launched its fledgling business from 17 years ago.

The business launched in Woden Road West, Wednesbury in January 2004, moving 852 pallets on its first night of operation and now, after a record start to 2021, has signed a lease on a new 150,000 sq ft facility on the same road, with scope for an additional 4,000 pallets per night.

The new facility on the Bescott Industrial estate will sit alongside Pallet-Track’s 276,000 sq ft landmark central hub in Millfields Road, Wolverhampton, as well as a southern hub in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire and a northern hub in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

It became operational during May, the busiest time in the Pallet-Track calendar as it coincides with seasonal spikes as retail prepares for often bulky summer stock, including garden furniture and barbeques.

Pallet-Track tranships in excess of 20,000 pallets per day through its UK-wide network and has never lost a single consignment since trading began. This year has already seen the addition of two new network members and growth of 16% compared to the previous year.

Caroline Green, Pallet-Track’s chief executive officer, who took over from founder Nigel Parkes on 1st April, said: “Opening a new facility so close to where the business was founded is like going back to the future as we move forward, but with a nod to our heritage and origins.

“Managed expansion has always been the strategy and we’ve had a strong, double-digit growth start to 2021, a trend that is set to continue with changing buying habits the increased demands of online shopping.

“The new facility has been in the planning for some time and it will complement our existing operations and allow us to flex our capacity at the main hub through additional space nearby,” added Caroline, who joined Pallet-Track as chief financial officer (CFO) in September 2020.

Caroline’s strategy will build on the business’s strong reputation for the next stage of Pallet-Track’s success, a step-by-step journey she will take with the central team and the 80+ shareholder members who form the network.

“Our strategy is to continue to grow in line with our members, so we all succeed. A network is only as good as its weakest member so our job is to help all of them to realise their potential so that we all add value by being the best we can be,” said Caroline.

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