Coping with economic downturn – firms turn to pallet networks
June 1st 2008 Pressure on margins is now driving a rapidly increasing number of companies to seek more cost effective methods of distributing their goods. In doing so, many are turning to pallet networks to maintain an efficient supply chain, but at a much lower cost than conventional haulage. No. 1 network, Pall-Ex, is ideally placed to help them maximise on these opportunities
How the Pall-Ex model works
Pall-Ex unites 100 member depots from
across the UK. These regionally based,
independently owned haulage companies,
collect palletised freight from customers,
destined for other parts of the country or
Europe. They then transport the freight to
either the central Pall-Ex transhipment hub
in Leicestershire, or the new Northern hub
in Cumbria, according to its origin and
destination.
There, it is sorted by delivery area and
assigned to the member serving that
postcode. Collectively, the membership has
access to 7,500 vehicles, enabling them to
cover every UK postcode, every day.
Options of next day, economy, AM and
timed services are offered.
Pall-Ex's core business is consignments of
1 – 4 pallets, although tailored pricing
structures are on offer for larger
consignments.
Pall-Ex was the first pallet network to
introduce competitive rates for 1/4 pallets.
This visionary move was to take into
account likely Health & Safety requirements
for heavier parcel freight, and proved an
immediate and lasting success.
The real time track and trace facility
which Pall-Ex offers, with electronic proof
of delivery, plays an important role in
customer satisfaction, as does the
comprehensive management information
for corporate customers, from a dedicated
team of account handlers. Pall-Ex now
regularly handles up to 10,000
consignments daily.
Home Delivery Services
A continued increase in on-line shopping
has naturally resulted in a growing demand
for home deliveries. Pall-Ex is already
successfully delivering bulkier and heavier
items such as lawn turf, hard landscaping
products and furniture for a number of
household names.
Cleaner, Greener, Distribution
From Department of Transport statistics, we
are able to estimate that the Pall-Ex
network is instrumental in removing some
142 LGV's from the UK's roads every single
day of the year.
Fuel efficient, double deck eco trailers
were commissioned by Pall-Ex in
conjunction with a major trailer
manufacturer, and are saving up to 12% on
diesel costs. As a result of Pall-Ex's design
input, they are also achieving more
efficient vehicle fill. The trailers are now
being introduced throughout the network.
Pall-Ex's fleet of fork lift trucks operates on
gas, which is much cleaner and greener than
diesel, offering significantly improved health
and safety for staff, and a virtually pollutant
free atmosphere for customers' goods.
Automatic barcode scanners recognise
freight each time it is moved, sending a
message to a central server, so that track
and traceability is second to none.
Palm held computers have been issued
to Pall-Ex members' drivers, enabling them
to obtain electronic signatures as proof of
freight delivery. The signatures are
automatically sent via the mobile phone
network, appearing seconds later on the
Pall-Ex website, viewable by hub staff,
members, and, most importantly, end
customers. This innovation also reduces the
traditional paper trail, and represented yet
another 'first' in the sector.
Extensive European Coverage
Pall-Ex's recently expanded European
service via a strategic partnership with a
leading global logistics supplier is seeing a
continuing growth of freight to and from
Europe, throughout the network. Pall-Ex
provides scheduled services to 38 European
countries, each weekday.
Maximising on Success
Founder, CEO and Chairman Hilary Devey
has such passion for the business and her
people that her influence is instrumental in
setting new industry standards, separating
Pall-Ex out from the crowd. This repeatedly
delivers success, and Pall-Ex is now
maximising on this success, continually
responding to market wants and needs. But
you don't have to take Pall-Ex's word for it –
over the past few years, they have won
more prestigious awards than any other
pallet network. More articles from Pall-Ex UK Ltd: | 
