Pall-Ex continues to lead the field in distribution
October 1st 2007

In just over a decade, Pall-Ex has come a long way. With over 100 depot locations, 10,000 daily consignments and its 12 millionth pallet distributed in August this year, the company now claims to be the number one firm in the pallet network sector

Since its birth by just over 10 years ago, Pall-Ex has come a long way.

Hilary Devey formed her company to deliver small consignments of palletised freight both cost-effectively and quickly, throughout the UK. Now occupying the No.1 position in the pallet network sector, Pall-Ex boasts over 100 depot locations nationwide, and regularly handles 10,000 consignments daily.

Each Pall-Ex depot is allocated responsibility for a number of postcode zones, within which they collect freight and deliver it to the purpose built £12m hub. It is then sorted and loaded onto the vehicle of the network member responsible for the destination zone. This innovative business model enables customers to send consignments ranging from single pallets to part trailer loads, anywhere within the UK or Europe – with speed and efficiency.

Benefiting the environment What's more, the benefits to the environment are huge. On average, vehicle fill for pallet networks is around 20% higher than those of traditional hauliers – effectively removing hundreds of HGV's off the road every single day.

The ever entrepreneurial founder and Managing Director, Hilary Devey, spearheaded the development of eco friendly trailers with a leading manufacturer. These trailers are proved to offer significant savings in fuel as a result of their aerodynamic shape, with subsequent reductions in emissions.

Pall-Ex prides itself on caring for the environment in other ways, too. Its fleet of fork lift trucks are all powered by natural gas rather than diesel, reducing harmful emissions that can pollute customers' freight. Their electronic track and trace facility, with web based proof of delivery is not only highly efficient, but also considerably reduces the traditional paper trail.

And recycling of wooden pallets and paper is high on Pall-Ex's impressive agenda. So much so, that the company has twice been commended in recent environmental award ceremonies.

Award winning services Pall-Ex sets the industry standard in distribution, offering options of guaranteed next day, economy and timed services, to ensure delivery on time and on budget.

Indeed, the Pall-Ex blue chip customer portfolio stands as an impressive testament of the tailored solutions and exceptional service that Pall-Ex provides.

In August, the company reached a new milestone with the 12 millionth pallet being distributed through their network since its inception. Perhaps understandably, Pall-Ex, (which has had many celebrations this year, including winning the Leicestershire Business of the Year Award, and being highly commended in the regional heat of the National Business Awards), was incredibly proud to achieve such a level of pallet throughput in their tenth year of business.

World class facilities further expanded Pall-Ex's phenomenal and enduring success can be largely attributed to continual reinvention of the business by founder Hilary Devey, who in 2007 alone was accredited with entrepreneurial awards from Ernst & Young and the National Business Awards, sponsored by Credit Suisse.

To complement its existing world class facilities, Pall-Ex is now in the process of acquiring several acres of land adjacent to its hub, with a view to building a major new warehousing and storage facility, to accommodate the ever growing demands of their blue chip customers. These include many of the UK's best known household names – supermarkets, high street retailers, manufacturers – almost every industry sector is served by the Pall-Ex network.

They all have one thing in common – they have experienced the major efficiencies and cost savings that Pall-Ex offers when compared to their traditional distribution strategies.

Further European expansion is also looming on Pall-Ex's radar, with plans in their final stages to develop its already successful service.

The company's ever growing pallet throughput, and brimming trophy cabinet, demonstrates that its success is certainly not short lived, and is a superb indicator this success will continue long into the future.

More articles from Pall-Ex UK Ltd: