The Networker | Winter 2025 | Palletforce

NETWORKER the magazine for our members

24th MEMBERS GENERAL MEETING 2025

MARVELLOUS MILESTONES

100 YEARS & 2.5M PALLETS FOR CHAMBERS & COOK

MILITARY PRECISION

WELCOME TO THE NETWORK

EASIER EXPORTING

MGM SPEAKER

NEW MEMBERS

TRANSVENLO

EVENTS CALENDAR

AGENDA

MEMBERS GENERAL MEETING Thursday 6th February 2025

Hilton at St George’s Park, Newborough Road, Needwood, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 9PD

10.00am Registration & networking 11.00am Morning session

Director presentations & member open forum 1.00pm Networking lunch 2.00pm Afternoon session

Sam Clarke, Gridserve

Sustainability panel discussion

Afternoon speaker: Colin MacLachlan, SAS: Who Dares Wins 3.45pm MGM conference close 3.45pm Networking and hotel check in 4.30pm Networking area closes 6.00pm Pre-dinner drinks – Lobby bar 6.30pm Evening meal 8.30pm Entertainment and charity auction & raffle

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THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

MARK TAPPER

Welcome to our 24th MGM

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elcome to our 2025 Palletforce Members General Meeting. It is great to see so many old friends and colleagues who have helped make our network what it is over the years and to welcome our new members too. It is this combination of proven network experience and new talent that helps make Palletforce such an exciting proposition for our customers and clients. The MGM is our flagship business event of the year and is always the perfect place for us all to discuss challenges and opportunities in our sector and for all of us at Palletforce to explain the range of member support initiatives that we offer.

We will recap what we have been doing over the past year to improve our offering to members, including technological advances like ETA and Picture on POD, which we hope will have made a real difference to members’ businesses, and also outline the new offerings and initiatives we have in store for 2025 – innovation and operational advances that will help ensure we remain best-placed to deliver the quality and service our customers expect.

At this year’s MGM we are putting particular focus on sustainability. With products like EV Scope we have shown how investing in environmentally friendly tools and technology can have real business advantages. Our customers are increasingly keen to decarbonise and to trumpet their environmental credentials so now is the time for us all, as a network, to really prioritise sustainability. It is not

just good for the planet it is good for business.

I know many of our members are leading the way in the sector and I hope our Sustainability Champions discussion will help us share best practice and come up with new ways in which we can innovate and excel.

It is all part of our commitment to customer care and delivering the best possible customer experience, something which has been paying dividends for us in recent years, despite the difficult economic climate.

As a network we believe in sustainable growth and, thanks to the strength of our membership, we offer the stability and security – and quality of service – that no one else can match.

So, as we look forward to 2025, let’s have a productive day – and a marvellous evening – as we celebrate our successes and move forward together to even greater things.

MARK TAPPER Chief Executive Officer

Palletforce

CONTENTS 4

MEET THE TEAM

12

GROWING OUR NETWORK

6

FLOOR PLAN

16

MEMBER FOCUS

8

DIRECTOR COMMENTS

20

EUROPEAN SERVICES

Palletforce’s MGM team

Where to find our sponsors

Explaining Palletforce’s plans

Introducing our new members

Chambers & Cook on a year for celebrations

How Transvenlo make exporting easy 3

PALLETFORCE MGM TEAM

MEET THE TEAM At Palletforce, our teams are dedicated to providing members with support and guidance. Please come and speak to us during the networking sessions.

Executive Board

Mark Tapper

Chief Executive Officer mark.tapper@ palletforce.com 07921 439 884

David Breeze

Chief Operating Officer david.breeze@ palletforce.com 07540 772 887

Dave Holland

EVP Marketing & Communications dave.holland@ evcargo.com 07976 669 021

Dean Hughes EVP IT

dean.hughes@ evcargo.com 07747 101 774

Simon Pearson Group CEO

simon.pearson@ evcargo.com

Operations

Jo Duncan

Hub Operations Director jo.duncan@ palletforce.com 01283 539 392

Craig Thomson

Regional Operations Manager craig.thomson@ palletforce.com 07889 535 540

Simon Gibbard

Network Operations Director simon.gibbard@ palletforce.com 07747 603 432

Kevin Jackson

Regional Operations Manager kevin.jackson@ palletforce.com 07740 279 028

Steve Davies Hub Manager

steve.davies@ palletforce.com 01283 741 790

Malcolm Graham

Regional Operations Manager malcolm.graham@ palletforce.com 07809 523 380

Beverley Knight

Health and Safety Manager beverley.knight@ palletforce.com 07747 843 182

Glenn Carroll

Regional Operations Manager glenn.carroll@ palletforce.com 07522 544 590

Jo Ashley

Depot Support Manager joanne.ashley@ palletforce.com 07596 875 613

Alex Restall

Regional Operations Manager alex.restall@ palletforce.com 07860 955 586

Network Manager richard.moss@ palletforce.com 07809 508 849

Becki Jacks

Network Control Tower Manager becki.jacks@ palletforce.com 01283 741 758

HR

IT

Kate Lovatt IT Director (Express)

kate.lovatt@ evcargo.com 07801 831 963

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Richard Moss

Mohammed Sharab Integration Engineer

mohammed.sharab@ evcargo.com 07702 878 033

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

Daniel Soloman

IT Support Desk Team Leader daniel.soloman@ evcargo.com 01283 741 759

James Filkins

IT Product Manager (Express) james.filkins@ evcargo.com 07743 930 768

Tia Newbold

Technical Analyst tia.newbold@ evcargo.com 07743 930 782

Rebecca Mather

Regional HR Business Partner rebecca.mather@ evcargo.com 07522 558 863

PALLETFORCE MGM TEAM

Sales

Simon Bradbury Sales Director

simon.bradbury@ palletforce.com 07867 977 122

Pennie Bailey

General Manager of Strategic Accounts pennie.bailey@ palletforce.com 07710 095 649

Emma Thompson

National Commercial Development Manager emma.thompson@ palletforce.com 07912 598 668

Kim Raffle

Depot 900 Supervisor kim.raffle@ palletforce.com 01283 741 785

Head of Marketing & Communications danielle.owen@ evcargo.com 07740 279 029

Commercial Development Manager – Midlands kelly.chilton@ palletforce.com 07756 881 915

Sally Ogley

Sue Wheatley

Commercial Development Sales Admin Manager – North sue.wheatley@ sally.ogley@ palletforce.com palletforce.com 07731 164 675 07756 883 541

Owned Operations

Marketing

Danielle Owen

Kelly Chilton

Jessica Barrowclough

Paul Dillon

Shona Callow

Logistics Director

Digital Marketing Manager Marketing Manager jessica.barrowclough@ shona.callow@ evcargo.com evcargo.com 07849 087 835 07702 520 646

paul.dillon@ ukfreight.com 07739 954 383

Mark Bischler

Network Operations Director mark.bischler@ palletforce.com 07743 929 650

Rachael Bradbury

Commercial Sales Director rachael.bradbury@ evcargo.com 07551 034 185

Finance

Deb Wallbanks

Commercial Finance Director deb.wallbanks@ palletforce.com 07849 085 117

Wendy Coxon

Finance Team Manager wendy.coxonr@ palletforce.com 01283 741 764

Louise Atkinson Finance Assistant

louise.atkinson@ palletforce.com 01283 743 124

Vicki Payne

Financial Accountant vicki.payne@ palletforce.com 01283 741 781

Sarah Orchard Finance Assistant

sarah.orchard@ palletforce.com

Network Development

Chris Dennigan

Member Relations Director chris.dennigan@ palletforce.com 07708 845 004

Abigail Lear

Member Recruitment Manager abigail.lear@ palletforce.com 07894 485 076

Mark Kendall

Commercial Director mark.kendall@ palletforce.com 07955 245 892

Lee Matthews

General Manager European Services lee.matthews@ palletforce.com 07849 086 599

Chris Meadowcroft

Kevin Vaughan

Clare Wallbank

Kate Brooker

Member Recruitment Manager chris.meadowcroft@ palletforce.com 07919 622 352

PA to Directors

clare.wallbank@ palletforce.com 07749 415 802

Member Recruitment Manager kevin.vaughan@ palletforce.com 07849 086 041

At Palletforce, our teams are dedicated to providing members with support and guidance.

Please come and speak to us during the networking sessions.

Commercial Manager kate.brooker@ palletforce.com 07849 082 953

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MGM FLOOR PLAN

FLOOR PLAN 2025

Take the time during the networking sessions to speak to our expert partners about how they can help your business.

SIR BOBBY ROBSON BALLROOM AND LOBBY SHS helps companies move goods safely and efficiently through the design, supply and maintenance of materials handling equipment.

Keeping your drivers moving with access to an extensive network of refuelling sites across the UK.

FLOOR PLAN

Certas Energy is the largest distributor of fuel and lubricants in the UK.

One Broker is an independent insurance brokers specialising in personal and commercial insurance.

Trailer Resources Ltd provides cost-effective trailer hire, rental, and sales to logistics companies.

Lunch station 1

Lunch station 3

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THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

Lunch station 2

MGM FLOOR PLAN

Positive Weighing Solutions is a leading supplier of weighing scales, systems and equipment and has a full servicing and calibration department.

PR • DESIGN • MARKETING

Really Clever PR is a public relations, marketing, design and brand consultant.

Track, measure and optimise vehicles, equipment, light assets and revolutionize your business with fleet management software.

Grayson Design & Print is a digital print and signage company – your ‘one stop shop’ for all your printing needs.

SP training offer a comprehensive suit commercial training courses tailored to meet the needs of logistics professionals.

Clarus WMS is a leading provider of warehouse management systems for businesses.

The leading provider of driver medicals in the UK.

PR • DESIGN •MARKETING

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BOARD TEAM TALK

Palletforce is first and foremost about its members. Representatives services available to all members to facilitate growth in their firms

DRIVING GROWTH

FORWARD

‘Strengthening depot-to-depot relations’ LEE MATTHEWS GENERAL MANAGER EUROPEAN SERVICES

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he past year brought two significant changes to our European Network. The simplification of Alliance for EU consignments has greatly improved our processes, providing a simple and userfriendly experience. The change also allows export DRAs to be uploaded against each customer account and provides each depot with projected customs clearance billing fees at time of data entry.

The simplification greatly assisted the integration of Woodside Distribution into our network. As our new network member for Ireland and Northern Ireland they have expanded our capabilities, launching our new All-Ireland Product.

With a key focus on strengthening depot-todepot relations, Woodside is ensuring that Palletforce delivers a market-leading All-Ireland service for our network. The removal of

commodity restrictions for Northern Ireland marks a major milestone, and we are excited that similar changes for Ireland are planned for Quarter 1 of 2025 – watch this space!

Additionally, Woodside has enabled us to provide DDP INCO Terms for Ireland.

By following the required process, depots are now sending DDP consignments through the Network to Ireland.

We are confident that in 2025, we will continue to enhance our European

Network. By supporting you, our members, we look forward to assisting your customers with their European consignments.

‘Solidifying our member relationships’ CHRIS DENNIGAN MEMBER RELATIONS DIRECTOR

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eam Palletforce performed exceptionally well in the last quarter of 2024 that saw us put a variety of innovative solutions together for some pretty challenging events.

In addition, we worked hard to conclude negotiations with two new network members in readiness for the new year. It is worth noting that some of the challenges we faced in the last quarter would have

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been a lot more difficult to resolve if we hadn’t had the support of some of our fantastic members. My thanks go to the teams at Campeys of Selby, Fagan and Whalley, Simarco, Debach, Knowles Transport, HB Holt, Wyvern Cargo, Viamaster, Freightroute and SJ Bargh whose efforts and commitment at short notice helped to protect customers’ experiences.

As you can read about

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

elsewhere in The Networker, we enter 2025 as a growing network, with new members joining us.

Our new members are very welcome additions and add further strength to the network coverage and performance.

2025 does look to be full of opportunity. Although we may need to be more innovative with the solutions we look to deploy, we are excited about the year ahead. There will be some challenges and no doubt some bumps in the road but, as the last quarter of 2024 proved, working together we are simply unstoppable .

BOARD TEAM TALK

of our board explain the support initiatives and sector-leading and increase the overall strength and efficiency of our network

‘Volumes up by 6%’

KATE LOVATT IT DIRECTOR

JO DUNCAN HUB OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

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great team effort during 2024 helped us to achieve a consistent performance throughout.

Volumes increased by 6% so we did well to achieve our overall target while the finish time went to 04:14 from 04:05 in 2023 and the average turnaround time of 02:24, was only slight up on 2023’s 02:22.

We are continuing to invest in people, with both additional refresher training to all and our performance has been driven by improvements within the operation, including: • Pre-shift check process: Ensuring all checks are completed correctly by all operatives and any issues identified before use, ensuring no further damage occurs and preventing additional costs.

• Stands for warehouse (56 stands in total): Dedicated lanes, increase health and safety, reduce risks and have cost benefits.

• Courier process: We reviewed and changed the

‘Our key initiatives’

process due to the behaviour of couriers on site. This helped us to improve driving standards and ensure everyone wears the correct PPE. • Layout and lighting improvements: Changes enabled better access for vehicles and increased visibility, improving safety and minimising damages.

• Hub visits: We have continued to encourage hub visits – they are up 10% – encouraging members and customers to see the hub operation and the excellent service levels we provided every night.

• RoSPA: We were delighted to receive our 15th RoSPA award, a remarkable testament to the dedication and professionalism of everyone throughout the hub.

ast year saw the implementation of some key initiatives within Alliance system.

Improving visibility on deliveries we implemented our Picture on POD functionality, providing real-time delivery images to customers.

Another core customer initiative was the implementation of our ETA system, providing end customers with a threehour delivery window to further improve the delivery experience – 94% of consignments delivery were delivered before the end of the ETA window.

Supporting our European service, we helped improve the data entry requirement for booking EU consignments by simplifying the data requirements for imports and exports.

Our development team (James, Simon and Mo) worked to ensure that members who chose to their own systems could

fully integrate with our developments, as well as supporting the onboarding of Woodside.

Our support team (Daniel, Tia, Jack and Aaron) are ready to support members and their customers with any Alliance requirements.

Our team worked tirelessly to ensure that we retained our Cyber Essentials Plus Certification in 2024 With cyber attacks being prevalent in our sector we must remain vigilant in 2025 and create contingency plans for business continuity.

Throughout 2025, we will shift our focus to using the data we capture on a daily basis to ensure compliance and provide a better overall customer experience.

‘A crucial driver of long-term growth’ DANIELLE OWEN HEAD OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

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ith potential customers having better access to information than ever before, it is increasingly clear that investing in marketing is a

crucial driver of long-term business growth.

Customers now have a much keener eye on sustainability and ethical operations, and by tailoring your messaging, members can stand out from rivals.

Alongside our key partners,

we can provide bespoke marketing packages to improve your business performance. And, as we’ve seen with the awards success of so many members recently, having a positive story to shout about is a real driver of growth.

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BOARD TEAM TALK

‘Working together we are unstoppable’ SIMON GIBBARD NETWORK OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

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ast year it was great to see the volumes exceeding 2023 levels – a testament to the hard work of Palletforce teams across the network, upholding a consistent level of service for all our customers. The Network Operations Team had another busy year on our normal activities – depot visits, training, advising, supporting customers – and also on a significant number of new depots that implemented into the Palletforce club. This was especially so towards the end of the year – and indeed into the first few weeks of 2025 too! Implementing new

depots is one of the most important activities for the team. New depots bring additional capacity into the network and help to ensure services are maintained and growth is supported. The team have built up a strong bed of experience to ensure we guide the new depots into the operation as seamlessly as possible – we continue to develop this process with every new starter. This work at the start of their Palletforce journey helps ensure consistent service levels.

In 2025, while we continue to focus on new depots, we will of course continue to support and monitor the wider network. While a ‘day

in the life’ of a Palletforce depot does have a number of parts to it we are looking to focus all depots on the importance of: • Planning • Warehouse operations • Communications and data • Debriefs.

We will be working closely with our colleagues in the IT team to develop the best practice on these key areas of the operation – again designed to ensure the customer experience is consistent across the network.

We’re looking forward to this year – it should be a great one – and we look forward to seeing all depots across the next 12 months.

‘Great to see volumes exceeding 2023 levels’ SIMON BRADBURY COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

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he last year has been one packed with highlights, as our commercial team continues to support members across the network and increase customer satisfaction.

We received SMETA approval, welcomed a number of new starters (Graham Taylor, Darren Wood, Beth Sessions, Adam Barosty, Tanya Ridgard), held the first of what we believe will be many showcase events, were finalists in the Nestle supplier awards – and retained the Nestle contract until March 2026.

This success with Nestle was mirrored with many other major customers: Ideal Standard was retained until January 2027, Trouw

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Nutrition until the same date and we retained the core D900 customer base.

We are always looking to add to what we do and help our members increase the customer offerings too.

Our Commercial Development Workshops, in Leeds, Nottingham, Watford, Brighton and Hull, proved to be great success and I think everyone would agree that they are a valuable activity for us at Palletforce and our members.

The Commercial Development team deserve praise for helping to increase new business pallets from 96,000 to 118,000 in 2024, and it was a pleasure to celebrate our members in our new

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

business awards. The winners were: Wyvern Cargo (Q1), Willmotts (Q2) and Fagan and Whalley (Q3) and C&D South West (Q4).

Palletforce prides itself in being a people business, whether that’s through forging relationships with members and customers or by ensuring staff are happy at work and progress to get the best out of their talents.

That’s why it was lovely to

see people hit some longservice milestones (including me, with 10 years!). Kim Raffle and Jo Driver have both been valued parts of our team for 10 years, with Sue Wheatley has now been with us 12 years, Emma Thompson, 13, and Pennie Bailey, 18.

The key focus for 2025 is new business growth across both the corporate portfolio and the UK membership within the SME markets.

As always it will be important to ensure we retain our customer base through solidifying customer relationships using continuous improvement initiatives, providing exceptional delivery services alongside effective and efficient customer service solutions.

Introducing

WMS WARS Episode 1: A New Hope

The Pallet‘force’ is strong with this one... claruswms.com/thepalletforce

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NEW MEMBERS

Pooling resources Family firm increases network’s strength in Liverpool area

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road haulage business with a true family focus has joined Palletforce to create additional capacity and provide a robust service around the Liverpool area.

Based at Aintree and with strong experience in the palletised freight distribution sector, Jenkins Transport will cover postcodes to the north of Liverpool including those around Bootle, Formby and Ormskirk.

Established by Gary Jenkins in 1973 and now managed by his wife Victoria, the business has grown over the years thanks to its ethos of family values and a strong local reputation for providing a range of quality distribution services to businesses in the Liverpool area.

“Joining Palletforce was a logical decision for us and a good next step in our journey towards sustainable and controlled growth for the business,” explained Managing Director Victoria Jenkins.

“Over the years we’ve expanded our services to provide a complete logistics solution for local businesses, including collecting freight from Liverpool docks, warehousing, right through to doorstep delivery for business and residential customers.”

It really is a true family effort. Victoria’s son Jack is Operations Manager and her

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daughters Taylor and Chloe are Apprentice Accounts Manager and Apprentice Office Manager respectively.

“Pallet network freight is an important part of our business, as is the quality of the services we deliver.

“One of the factors that attracted us to Palletforce was its shared focus on quality, from low rates of damages to its investment

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

in technology and infrastructure at the hub.

“Using our local market knowledge and business connections, I’m confident we can add value to the Palletforce operation in the areas we cover and ensure we offer service excellence on behalf of other Palletforce members and their customers.”

David Breeze, Palletforce Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are pleased to welcome Jenkins Transport to the Palletforce network.

“The company embodies the family approach to

quality that our network is built upon and we are confident they can add strength and member value in their Liverpool area.”

David Breeze

NEW MEMBERS

Say Harlow to our new member Experienced logistics operator to cover postcodes in Essex

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n experienced pallet network operator with a focus on sustainable business growth and service quality has joined Palletforce to cover postcodes around Harlow in Essex.

Established in 1972, Jonen Shipping operates 22 vehicles from two UK locations, a Midlands depot in Leicester and its HQ in Epping, Essex.

The Essex depot, located close to the M11/M25 intersection is ideally placed to service London and the south east of England.

In addition to distribution, it also offers international freight forwarding thanks to its close proximity to international ports of Dover, Felixstowe, Harwich, London Gateway and Tilbury.

With nearly 20 years of experience in pallet network operations, Jonen will cover CM16-CM21 postcodes

around Harlow and Epping on behalf of Palletforce, an important industrial area which they know well and have unrivalled local market experience.

John Hodges, Director at Jonen Shipping said: “We originally entered the pallet network sector to service our international operations but it has now become an integral, standalone part of our organisation. We have always been, and continue

to be, impressed with the collaborative, ‘can do’ attitude of members that has made the sector the success it is today and are excited to join the Palletforce family.

“Palletforce has a successful history and a great reputation for quality. The pedigree of the membership and the Palletforce central staff is impressive. Members and key management have been in place for a long time and that implies a stable

and credible business that operates successfully. Our area has its challenges with extra regulation and additional compliance associated with London’s low emission zones and direct vision standards.

“However, we are keen to grow our pallet volumes and make the most of the commercial opportunities in our region to drive further expansion.”

Mark Tapper, Palletforce Chief Executive Officer, said: “Jonen has an extensive experience in express pallet deliveries and have taken on a challenging area that requires the high degree of local market knowledge that the business possesses.

“I’m confident they will ensure the highest service levels for Palletforce members and their customers.”

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NEW MEMBERS

West House has its headquarters in Bristol and has operational depots in both Swansea and Plymouth. It is covering a Bristol city centre postcode

House rules

Firm has decades of distribution experience and joins a pallet network for the first time

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t may be new to pallet networks, but West House Transport is no stranger to the world of consumer goods distribution, having decades of experience delivering to trade and retail outlets across the Southwest.

Headquartered in Bristol and with operational depots in Swansea and Plymouth, it runs a distribution fleet encompassing five trunking vehicles and 23 collection and delivery trucks.

Formed in 1990, its primary business involves the distribution of premium consumer car tyres across Southwest England and South

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Wales. Prior to 2017 it also operated parcel distribution on behalf of Avon cosmetics.

It became a Palletforce member in January and kicked off its operations in the BS1-3 postcode area covering Bristol city centre.

Kevin Young, Depot Principal, at West House Transport, said: “We are excited to be joining a pallet network for the first time, it made sense for us to diversify our operations and stay viable

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

as a business.

“We have decades of experience in B2B distribution that we can draw upon having been involved with FMCG products and specifically the express delivery of car tyres for many years. We’ve also invested in a dedicated fleet for network operations to ensure the highest levels of customer service.

“Palletforce was the obvious choice for us. So far everyone has had a very professional

attitude and we’ve had a lot of support to help introduce us to the network and ensure we are well prepared to hit the ground running.”

David Breeze, Palletforce Chief Operating Officer, said: “It’s always exciting for us to welcome new-tonetwork members and we’re looking forward to West House Transport using its vast experience in retail and B2B distribution to ensure Palletforce offers a best-inclass service for Bristol city centre.”

Depot Principal Kevin Young

NEW MEMBERS

Finding a winner with Pass the Parcel

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oining Palletforce to handle all the postcodes in the Halifax area is new member Pass The Parcel.

Part of the wider and well-established YDL group, Pass the Parcel will handle all Palletforce collections and deliveries across HX postcodes, promising to continue its reputation for the highest levels of customer service.

It operates a fleet of 27 vehicles from its strategically located depot in Halifax, with a wide customer base spanning mainly SME businesses across a range of industry sectors. It also has a strong overnight parcel delivery service which offers national coverage.

Pass The Parcel believes joining Palletforce will allow it to target sustainable business growth and take advantage of local

Strengthening our network’s Halifax coverage

opportunities by offering a premium service to new and existing customers.

Lauren Drinkald, Director of Commercial at Pass The Parcel, said: “Our area has a strong base of SME businesses and a premium express palletised freight service offering hasslefree UK distribution is very attractive to them.

“We see real opportunities with Palletforce to grow our palletised freight volumes, which can dovetail in nicely with our parcel business, providing customers with a full range of quality services.

“Joining Palletforce is a great opportunity for us.

The reputation for service performance, its SuperHub and the range of tech initiatives around imaging

Lauren Drinkald

and scanning really gives customers a high level of freight visibility, which enhances our customer experience.“ Establishing rapport with local businesses to enable us to understand their requirements and needs, as well as building trust, loyalty and facilitating mutual success is central to our

ethos at YDL. We’ve had a very strong start with both deliveries and onboarding new customers and we are excited to continue our growth with the Palletforce network. ” Chris Dennigan, Member Relations Director, said: “Pass The Parcel is another positive addition to the Palletforce network and, with its experience in servicing the needs of SME businesses, is a great solution to cover our Halifax postcodes.”

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ONE IN A

HUNDRED

With milestone achievements of 100 years of operations and 2.5m Palletforce pallets, it is a time to celebrate for Chambers & Cook

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t’s a special year for Palletforce member Chambers & Cook, with 2025 seeing the Birmingham business celebrate its centenary, a milestone that they say was successfully reached thanks to their family values and ethos of delivering the highest levels of customer service.

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THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

The business was founded in 1925 by Harold Chambers and Mr Cook. Harold’s daughter Anne married Pat Blackburn, who joined the business and became Managing Director, with their children Paul, Julie-Anne, Chris and Marianne all joining the business.

Paul took over the reigns as Managing

Director in 1995, a position he still holds today, and was responsible for much of the business growth around UK and international haulage, freight forwarding and then network operations when Chambers & Cook became a founding Palletforce member in 2001.

Chris Blackburn was Operations

MEMBER FOCUS

We have relationships with some customers that span over 40 years which is testament to the partnership approach we take and our ability to add value for our customers

that span over 40 years which is testament to the partnership approach we take and our ability to add value for our customers.

“We have always been a family-owned and operated business and our family values remain at the heart of everything we do. Our people are our most valuable

assets because, in a service-driven industry, the ability to respond quickly and effectively to our customers’ needs is crucial.”

Chambers & Cook employs 130 people and operates 65 vehicles from its main headquarters in Birmingham and across five customer sites in Ashford, Cannock, Cornwall, Leeds and Scotland.

Its key customers are in the industrial manufacturing, retail and hospitality sectors and around 30% of its work is European.

“Our Palletforce volumes have grown from 30-40 pallets a night initially to around 600 now, and we were proud to hit the milestone of 2.5 million network pallets, which we reached at the end of last year. But it’s not all about volume, it’s about ensuring the highest quality for our customers and other members’ customers.

“Our Palletforce offering is crucial for our own business and that of our customers. The service and the consistently high performance of our fellow members across the UK enables real confidence in the network for our customers.

Director until his retirement two years ago when Jamie Stephenson took over, after promotion from his role as Transport Manager.

“From the outset, the business has continually focused on providing reliable and consistently high levels of service to customers, and that ethos still runs across the company today,” explained Jamie.

“As our customers have grown their businesses, we’ve also benefited and been able to grow alongside them. We have relationships with some customers

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MEMBER FOCUS

Jamie Stephenson, Operations Director, Wayne Adkins, Sales Manager, Hollie Baker, Palletforce Manager, and Tom Weaver, Transport Manager

“We definitely consider Palletforce as the industry leader and are proud to be a member. From the opening of the SuperHub to new technology around Alliance, Pallet Selfies and AI, they are at the forefront of innovation. As Palletforce has grown, it is a testament to all the members that have maintained and improved service levels throughout this growth.

“The industry has its challenges and, aside from the factors you can’t control, the marketplace is as competitive as ever both from a commercial and service perspective. We cover about 70% of all Birmingham postcodes and that means having to deal with city centre congestion charges, clean air zones and disruption from ongoing city centre infrastructure works and HS2.

“For us, despite these challenges we face, adaptability and resilience are key.

Our commitment is that we continue to deliver exceptional service and respond to our customers’ needs with the agility required to succeed.

“Our customers are our lifeblood and we need to be there to support them, that’s why we view our business as an

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THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

extension of theirs. Part of our longevity and success as a business is that we focus on service levels rather than chasing freight rates, which just feels like a race to the bottom.

“We have to thank our people for their contribution to the business’ success over the years and we’ve got a number of events throughout the year to celebrate our 100th anniversary. The main event is between Christmas and New Year, so we can involve as many people as possible, and we will also have

a summer event for employees and their families.”

Looking to the future and Chambers & Cook is committed to sustainability and on a determined journey to become carbon neutral.

“We recognise the importance of reducing our environmental impact and are taking proactive steps to minimise our carbon footprint.

“However, the nature of our industry presents unique challenges, there isn’t one fix that will solve the decarbonisation problem, more like lots of smaller solutions to reach the bigger target.”

Mark Tapper, Palletforce Chief Executive Officer, said: “Chambers & Cook is a reliable and trusted Palletforce founding member and we offer them congratulations on their continued business success as they celebrate their 100 year anniversary.

“The company’s focus on service excellence, customer experience and focusing on quality over chasing volumes has underpinned their longevity and growth and is completely aligned to our values at Palletforce.”

NEW BUSINESS AWARDS

QUARTER 1

QUARTER 3 QUARTER 4

QUARTER 2

As good as new Celebrating the winners of our 2024 New Business Awards

A

t Palletforce we love nothing better than celebrating success and hard work.

And that is particularly true when it comes to our New Business Awards, highlighting how our members are continuing to innovate and

grow and make our network ever stronger.

In 2024, the Quarter 1 winner was Willmotts, while Wyvern Cargo came out on top in Quarter 2.

Fagan & Whalley picked up the Quarter 3 honour – and C&D South West collected

the last award of the year, for Quarter 4.

Simon Bradbury, Palletforce Sales Director:, said: “The quarterly New Business Sales Awards are a vital part of driving growth across our network. They not only recognise and reward the

hard work of our members but also highlight the critical role new pallet volumes play in strengthening the entire Palletforce community.

The awards celebrate the dedication and the entrepreneurial spirit that keeps our network thriving.”

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EUROPEAN SERVICES

EASIER

EXPORTING With Transvenlo, there has never been a better time for members to access Benelux markets

W

ith an expert customs team, full member support and a robust network covering Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, Palletforce member Transvenlo says it’s never been

20

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

easier to export freight to Benelux in a post-Brexit world.

Celebrating their 12th year as a Palletforce member in 2025, Transvenlo has an impressive logistics network, covering Benelux from five key depots across the three countries, offering daily departures from across the area.

All UK freight transiting the Palletforce SuperHub arrives and departs from its Dutch HQ in Venlo, close to the border with Germany, where the dedicated customs team handles all the clearances for Palletforce freight.

“From 2025 we will be offering an

EUROPEAN SERVICES

improved service across Benelux, with dedicated and direct daily line hauls to and from the Palletforce SuperHub,” explained Transvenlo Operations Director Jeffrey van der Lee. “This will result in shorter lead times and daily departures from Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Our doorto-door delivery times are 48 hours for Benelux to UK and 72 hours for UK freight exported into Benelux.

“Most importantly is the support from our team. We have the expertise to seamlessly take care of all the customs formalities, making the import and export process extremely straightforward for Palletforce members and their customers.

“We are always on-hand to offer support, guidance and answer any questions. And of course with our Palletforce branded vehicles operating

across the Benelux market, your customers can be confident of their freight handled the entire journey by Palletforce experts.”

Lee Matthews, Palletforce’s General Manager European Services, said: By partnering with Transvenlo and utilising their extensive experience and expertise, our new marketleading Benelux service offers our members a seamless, simple solution for importing and exporting freight to and from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.”

From 2025 we will be offering an improved service across Benelux, with dedicated and direct daily line hauls to and from the Palletforce SuperHub

Transvenlo Operations Director Jeffrey van der Lee

21

SUSTAINABILITY SESSION

Our Sustainability Champions explain why making sustainability

HIGHLY

RECOMMENDED

A

s we look to the future of the transport industry, one thing is clear: sustainability is not just a goal, it’s a necessity. At this year’s Palletforce MGM, we are proud to host a vital session Sustainability in the Transport Industry: Fit for the Future – focused on practical steps towards achieving net zero and ensuring both

our businesses and our environment are fit for the future.

This session will feature an expert speaker sharing insights into sustainability trends and strategies shaping the industry, alongside a dynamic panel discussion.

Palletforce Members who are leading the way in sustainable practices will share their experiences, challenges, and successes, offering valuable

SAM CLARKE COMMERCIAL LEAD. GRIDSERVE

S

am Clarke is a lifelong entrepreneur, EV evangelist, industry advisor and EV driver for nearly 20 years. He was a 2015 winner at the Great British Entrepreneurs Awards and in 2022 was voted #25 in the greenfleet.net top 100 most influential people in Low Carbon Fleets and #5 in the Motor Transport Power Players for 2022.

In 2009 he founded the all-

electric delivery firm Gnewt which subsequently won multiple awards nationally and globally. During his tenure, he created the UK’s largest fully electric commercial fleet, the largest privately-owned smart charging infrastructure and UK’s most advanced private V2G network.

Sam has previously been invited to speak at the Transport Select Committee

inspiration and actionable ideas.

By highlighting how sustainability is key to securing the future for our planet and our industry, this session aims to empower members with the tools and knowledge to make meaningful changes within their own businesses.

Together, we can ensure a greener, more resilient future for transport and logistics.

in Westminster and at the European Commission in Brussels. Most recently, Sam has extended his Board advisory capacity within GRIDSERVE to become their Chief Vehicle Officer. His role is to drive forward mass uptake of electric vehicles through the creation of a net zero EV leasing division, commercial charging infrastructure builds and support the nationwide network roll out of highpowered Electric Forecourts

as well as the upgrade of the Electric Highway service station network.

of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production of Mediterranean

countries, and Senior Environmental Specialist at the InterAmerican Development Bank.

Dr Alzina has a PhD in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering from George Washington University, a MSc in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a Licenciatura in Sociology and Political Sciences from Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca.

DR VIRGINIA ALZINA CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER, EV CARGO

D

r Virginia Alzina leads on sustainability issues and goals, overseeing the monitoring of sustainability performance and promoting responsible behaviour across EV Cargo.

She has over 25 years of global experience across environmental and social governance matters with a particular focus on sustainability, resource

22

efficiency, climate change, sustainable production and pollution control. During her 12 years in Hong Kong and Myanmar, she successfully developed sustainability strategies and applied resource efficiency to improve company performance. Prior to EV Cargo, Dr. Alzina was Group Head of Sustainability at Yoma Strategic Holdings, MD of Environ Myanmar, MD

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

SUSTAINABILITY SESSION

a key part of your offering is a prerequisite for business success HARRY CAMPEY COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, CAMPEYS OF SELBY

H

arry Campey has helped the family firm become a pioneer in sustainable transport solutions, actively working towards a net-zero carbon emission fleet by 2030.

A significant milestone in this journey was the acquisition of 12 bio-CNG (compressed natural gas) tractor units, which now constitute over 10% of

Campeys’ fleet. These vehicles utilize biomethane derived from anaerobic digestion plants, achieving a 90% reduction in CO² emissions compared to traditional diesel engines.

Campeys was the first UK haulier to introduce a 19-tonne battery-electric DAF LF into its pallet network operations. Harry’s forward-thinking approach

has been instrumental in securing significant contracts, such as a multiyear deal with BEWI, a manufacturer of insulation and construction products.

This partnership was largely influenced by Campeys’ dedication to decarbonising its distribution operations and its robust roadmap to carbon neutrality.

Harry’s leadership exemplifies a successful integration of environmental

responsibility with commercial viability.

fleet of over 70 vehicles.

Farrall’s Group has

partnered with Hydrogen Vehicle Systems to trial hydrogen fuel cell HGVs to assess the viability of hydrogen-powered trucks within their operations, reflecting the company’s proactive approach to sustainable transportation.

Matthew’s leadership exemplifies a dedication to integrating sustainable practices within logistics.

MATTHEW FARRALL MANAGING DIRECTOR, FARRALL’S GROUP

U

nder Matthew Farrall’s leadership, the family firm has implemented several initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainability.

It installed a 1,400-panel solar array at its Deeside HQ, generating 500,000kWh of power annually, covering nearly 50% of the company’s

energy needs and enabling the facility to operate offgrid during sunny periods.

The company has adopted additional eco-friendly practices, including the use of electric forkliftss and the implementation rainwater harvesting for vehicle washing. They are integrating HVO into their

SIMON CHAMBERLAIN MANAGING DIRECTOR, CHAMBERLAIN TRANSPORT

S

imon Chamberlain has led Chamberlain Transport to implemented significant sustainability initiatives.

In December, it transitioned its local Palletforce collection and delivery vehicles to HVO fuel, supplied by Certas Energy, which is expected to reduce its annual carbon emissions by over 150 tonnes. The company plans to trial HVO for six months before considering a broader application across its 40-vehicle fleet.

Chamberlain Transport has achieved an EcoVadis Bronze award and installed solar

ANDREW TUCKNOTT MANAGING DIRECTOR, TOMSETTS DISTRIBUTION

panels on-site.

Simon’s proactive approach to sustainability and his leadership in implementing eco-friendly initiatives make him a valuable contributor to discussions on sustainable practices.

A

ndrew Tucknott has led Tomsetts Distribution on a comprehensive sustainability journey, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of the UK government’s target.

To develop a robust netzero strategy, Tomsetts has partnered with The Green Business Team,

sustainability experts who are assisting in setting Science-Based Targets and measuring Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.

Tomsetts has implemented practical measures to reduce its environmental impact, installing solar panels to harness renewable energy and is trialling an electric Volvo truck for local deliveries. They’ve also switched to zero-emissions electric forklifts, saving 24 tonnes CO2e per year.

These initiatives are part of a broader commitment to decarbonising operations and leading by example within the haulage sector.

23

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THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

THERE IS A BETTER WEIGH Award-winning technology boosts operational efficiency, productivity and safety for Palletforce and its members.

Positive Weighing Solutions is one of the country’s leading suppliers of innovative weighing scales, systems and equipment, which help logistics businesses turn mundane materials handling equipment into clever, connected business assets which drive operational, financial and safety benefits.

The core of the system is RAVAS mobile weighing technology which forms part of our solutions for cross-docking, weighing incoming and outgoing goods and to enable the safe loading of containers and trailers. The state-of-the-art technology is fully integrated into the forks, eliminating the need for additional cabling.

Our innovation helped Palletforce, the UK’s premier express distribution network, win the Motor Transport Best Use of Technology award after it demonstrated a 20% increase in pallet ficcantly reduced turnaround times, handling, signifi enhanced effi fficciency and improved customer service.

Mobile weighing is the future of efficient and profitable goods handling and Positive Weighing Solutions is here to help your business benefit today.

The partnership turned Palletforce FLTs into advanced, intelligent Super FLTs equipped with bespoke technology allowing them to instantly weigh, scan and capture images of every single pallet of freight. This increased visibility and traceability underpins real-time tracking and helps improve safety around trailer loading and identifying heavy pallets that may need additional care.

Weighing up the benefi fitts: • • • •

Slash turnaround times: Streamlines processes to increase efficiency.

Boost productivity: Process more freight and get deliveries to customers quicker.

Increase profi fittability: Faster processes help to increase capacity and boost margins.

Minimise risk: Award-winning technology ensures safe, accurate and streamlined freight weighing.

25

AWARDS SUCCESSES

OUR

Campeys of Selby celebrate at the Motor Transport Awards

WINNING TEAM P There has never been a better time to celebrate and shout about our successes

alletforce’s network of highquality members continues to make news, picking up prestigious industry awards, highlighting to potential customers the strength and variety of our offerings.

Palletforce has always prided itself on attracting and retaining the best members – and awards committees across the logistics sector certainly seem to agree.

In the past year, members such as Campeys of Selby, Fagan & Whalley, Farrall’s Group and Elddis Transport have been recognised and have used their successes to promote their business and services.

Danielle Owen, Palletforce’s Head of Marketing and Communications, said: “It comes as no surprise to us to see our members winning awards. We see every day how good they are. It is brilliant that they are being recognised by awards judges too. Winning such accolades can

26

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

provide a real business boost, both in the members’ local marketplace and nationally. Potential customers really do take notice and having so many award winners among our membership really solidifies Palletforce’s reputation as the best network around.

“We will give members all the support they need if they are considering entering events such as the Motor Transport Awards and work with Really Clever PR, who are logistics marketing specialists and have compiled awardwinning submissions for EV Cargo and Campeys this year and Palletforce and QDS among others in previous years. All this expertise is on hand for members whenever they want to take advantage of it.”

Campeys of Selby was named Haulier of the Year at the 2024 Motor Transport Awards. The awards judges praised Campeys as a “forward-looking haulier that sees challenges as opportunities”.

The judges’ decision, announced at the

glittering Park Lane awards ceremony in early September, is recognition of one of the UK road haulage sector’s outstanding success stories.

Campeys’ focus on intelligent leadership, environmental awareness, innovation and customer service has combined to bring growth and success.

The judges said: “Campeys is a forward-looking haulier that sees the challenges as opportunities. Its progress on decarbonisation of the fleet is commendable and of scale in relation to its overall fleet, which shows its commitment to invest for the long term. This is a family business that is displaying all of those values, has a focus on the drivers and uses the latest in-cab technology.”

Managing Director Paul Campey said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this award. It is a tribute to everyone who works with us every day to ensure we provide the best, most efficient, most environmentally aware service

AWARDS SUCCESSES

Farrall’s Group

Fagan & Whalley

to our customers.”

Commercial & Operations Director Harry Campey added: “We conducted a review after the Covid pandemic to ensure we were in the right position to overcome any future challenges.

“The way everyone in the team responded to that – from our increased focus on customer service to the changes we are making to be as environmentally responsible as possible – has been brilliant and the secret of our success.”

Campeys was also named the North’s Top Road Safety Haulier by Transport News.

F

arrall’s Group won the Excellence in Sustainability Award at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce 2024 Awards.

Managing Director Matthew Farrall said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win the Excellence in Sustainability Award 2024 at West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce annual awards.

“Farrall’s Group has invested heavily

into its journey to net zero, converting all MHE to electric, installing over 1500 solar panelscacross our warehouses and introducing our first Electric HGV.”

F

agan & Whalley also had a very successful 2024. The Burnley Business Awards provided the perfect showcase of their services when they were named both Employer of the Year and Large Business of the Year.

Managing Director Sam Fagan said: “Winning these awards is a true testament to the hard work, dedication and passion of every member of the Fagan & Whalley family. People truly are at the heart of what we do.

“The nature of the logistics industry means that uniting a team can be challenging when our drivers are out on the roads, scattered all over the country, and often without the close day-to-day contact that many other businesses enjoy.

“Because of that, we’ve always strived to create an environment where our

employees feel valued and empowered, and to have this recognised through the Employer of the Year Award is very encouraging.

“Being named Large Business of the Year is equally humbling, especially given the incredibly strong competition. We couldn’t be prouder of our team and our journey.”

They were also among the winners at the Transport News Northern Rewards breakfast, where they were named Northern Fleet of the Year.

E

lddis Transport’s investments to reduce its carbon footprint were recognised with a shortlisting in the Excellence in Sustainability category of the United Kingdom Warehousing Association annual awards. The move enabled the north-east based haulier to highlight its work with its customers to reduce their environmental impact.

Some Really Clever awards submissions Campeys’ winning Motor Transport Awards submission was written and produced by Really Clever PR, marking another notable success for the specialist logistics PR and marketing company.

The Campeys submission impressed judges by clearly focussing on the most important and relevant aspects of the business for the Haulier of the Year

category. Really Clever PR has years of experience in writing entries for transport and

logistics awards and has produced winning MTA submissions for Palletforce and EV Cargo in recent years.

The company has exclusively provided PR support to Palletforce for nearly 10 years and offers discounted packages to Palletforce members.

• For more information email Glenn Patterson at glenn@reallycleverpr.com.

27

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£

D4 medicals at a discounted price of £48.

10 FREE health checks worth £490 every year.

10% off Occupational Health services with D4Health.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) from £12pp per year.

PalletForce Medical Advice with D4Drivers A direct email address to our medical advisors, with a 24-hour response time on queries, during business days.

By opening a business account your drivers will also be able to benefit from exclusive benefits such as 20% off all Fitbit products.

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THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

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THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

bp Fleet Solutions

EMPLOYEE CHAMPIONS

WE ARE THE

CHAMPIONS Our employee-nominated champions improve colleagues’ working lives, recognise outstanding contributions and encourage excellence

SHONA CALLOW

KATE BROOKER What inspired you to become an employee champion?

What inspired me is a new challenge, I can’t wait to see what results we can achieve as a team and how we can make our work environment even better.

What do you enjoy most about working at

Palletforce, and what do you hope to achieve as a champion?

I feel very comfortable working here. I know I can always share my thoughts and ideas with my colleagues. I want every single employee to be aware of their mental and physical wellbeing and how they can introduce a little bit more goodness in their lives.

TIA NEWBOLD What inspired you to become an employee champion?

I was inspired by the opportunity to get to meet and speak to more people at Palletforce and within the community. I’m most excited about giving back to the community through helping and supporting local charities and finding more ways for us to get involved.

What do you enjoy most about working at Palletforce?

The people. Everyone I’ve met has been kind, supportive and genuine. By becoming a champion, I hope to make a positive impact by communicating with people to form ideas and initiatives to make Palletforce a more enjoyable place to work.

LEE MATTHEWS What inspired you to become an employee champion?

Having supported employee champion schemes in previous companies, I’ve seen the benefits they can bring to both employees and the

company. It’s an excellent way to achieve inclusion and drive communication, bringing a great sense of pride when the team achieves. What do you hope to achieve in your role as a champion?

I hope to see us continue and build on the journey we’ve started; ensure our teams are supported and that the benefits can be shared not only internally but with our neighbours and communities.

What inspired you to become an employee champion?

I am most excited about creating initiatives that promote physical and mental wellbeing, foster a collaborative and inclusive culture, and drive community and charity initiatives.

What do you hope to achieve as a champion?

As a champion, I hope to enhance our collaborative spirit by implementing initiatives that promote wellbeing, creativity and teamwork.

KIM RAFFLE What inspired you to become an employee champion at Palletforce?

I wanted to give my colleagues the opportunity to voice their opinion and ideas in the right forum. I’m excited to see the changes we make as a team.

What do you hope to achieve in your role as a champion?

I enjoy working with our depots and my team, closing loops on investigations we receive every day. I hope everyone sees the positive impact the champions will bring and it encourages people to get more involved and speak up.

31

EXCELLENCE IN ACTION

Jo and Gordon

Emma, Sally and Kelly collect their awards from Simon Bradbury

EXCELLENCE

IN ACTION

O

ur first Excellence in Action awards produced some magnificent winners, all of whom are showing Palletforce’s core values in their work.

The winners were: Tia Newbold (teamwork): For supporting Simon Bradbury and Mark Steele, of Cutomer 1st Logistics, on a new customer set up. Mark highlighted that she was a fantastic support during the process and a credit to Palletforce.

Adam Conway (teamwork): For excellent support to IT during Crowdstrike issues.

David Bailey, John Hughes, John Wright and Rita Kapitanova (teamwork): For event support – fast response, kindness, extremely helpful ‘One team’ approach and fostering a positive working environment.

Aaron Moulden (agility): For outstanding work on Scottish trailers, excellent job knowledge and commitment to fixing bags.

Gordon Parkes and Jo Driver (teamwork): For, during two weeks of staff sickness, when the team were four and sometimes five down, keeping going, doing overtime and making sure

32

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

Rita, John David and John

EXCELLENCE IN ACTION

Adam

Aaron

Kate Lovatt with Tia

customers noticed no difference to our service – they are true shining examples of teamwork in action and we are lucky to have them.

Emma Thompson, Sally Ogley and

Kelly Chilton (courage): For going out of their comfort zone and producing and posting social media content promoting Palletforce. A special shout out goes to Emma for being the first to do it.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Events calendar

PALLETFORCE SALES CONFERENCE 30 April

PALLETFORCE SHOWCASE

MAR

APR

25 March

HONG KONG 7S

28-30 March

PALLETFORCE REGIONAL OPERATIONS MEETINGS

JUN

OCT

PALLETFORCE UK GOLF TOURNAMENT June

8 October

33

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THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

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MEMBER NEWS

THE LORRY & THE IVY

Members celebrate Christmas and help out some good causes

P

alletforce members celebrated Christmas is style. with festive jumpers, charity collections and foodbank deliveries.

And Katem Logistics even had the chance to get their own sledge out during the snow.

Staff at Mitchell Storage & Distribution and Elddis Transport wrapped up warm on their Christmas Jumper Days, with Elddis raising money for Save the Children.

Farrall’s Group held their annual warehouse drive through, with the team driving through the warehouse to collect their Christmas hampers—a token of appreciation for their

36

hard work and dedication throughout the year.

Farrall’s also delivered their 2024 Christmas Toy & Food Bank Appeal donations to SHARE Farrall’s said: “Every year we are blown away by the generosity and support from#TeamFG for this appeal, and this year has been no exception!

“A special shoutout to Sophie, the granddaughter of employee Paul, for her incredible efforts. Each year, Sophie fundraises at her school and uses the donations to buy selection boxes for the appeal. The

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

impressive pile at the left is all thanks to her hard work!”

At Woodside Distribution everyone helped out to ensure Cash for Kids Northern Ireland has a huge, perfectly wrapped bundle of presents to give out to deserving youngsters, while BM Stafford & Sons gave generously to Hetton foodbank.

HBC Logistics were on a different kind of trunk road to usual to help out the Sue Ryder charity, collecting more than 40 Christmas trees for recycling.

HBC said: “Their Treecycling Collection

service is a wonderful cause that recycles unwanted trees whilst supporting those who are ill or grieving, and we are overjoyed to be able to help with our services.”

MEMBER NEWS

FIVE STAR ARRIVALS

E

lddis Transport and Knowles Logistics have welcomed the arrival of five new DAF XF 480 tranctor units.

The cabs are fitted with deflectors, fenders and side skirts to improve aerodynamic performance, reduce drag and maximise fuel economy.

Alex Knowles, MD at Knowles Logistics, said: “We are delighted to have taken delivery of our XG tractor units, which have been

purchased to cater to the company’s growth in recent years. Our drivers can enjoy a safer, more comfortable driving experience, while we benefit from their performance and fuel savings.”

All five Elddis vehicles operate out of its Gamston depot and are all threestar rated for London Direct Vision Standard and therefore fully compatible with the recently introduced new standards.

OUR SUPER STORE wens Group is celebrating getting the keys to Magor Gateway 156.

Its new 156,000 sq. ft. facility is designed for toptier storage, distribution, and logistics solutions.

Strategically located off the M4, this site is perfect for businesses ready to streamline Owens’ operations across South Wales and beyond.

Owens said: “With the addition of our brand-new 156,000 sq ft facility at Magor Gateway 156, we’re redefining warehousing to provide seamless, end-toend solutions for modern businesses. It is designed for top-tier storage, distribution, and logistics solutions.

Strategically located off the M4, this site is perfect for businesses ready to streamline operations across South Wales and beyond.”

O

37

MEMBER NEWS

DRIVING HIGH STANDARDS

D

rivers are often the first point of contact businesses and the public have with members of the Palletforce network, so it is particularly pleasing to see so many receiving praise for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Mark Tapper, Palletforce CEO, said: “One of the great pleasures of Palletforce is getting to hear about all brilliant stories about drivers from every member of our network.

“The Palletforce performance awards are our way of saying thank you to them for all that they do.

“It is all great to hear from members’ customers and members of the public when they have been particularly impressed by the kindness and professionalism drivers show every day.”

38

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

SUSTAINABILITY NEWS

All-electric switch for HB Volt Holt

New electric truck is part of zero tailpipe emission deliveries plan

E

ast Yorkshire family haulier and founding Palletforce member HB Holt & Sons is focusing on zero tailpipe emission deliveries with the introduction of its first allelectric truck.

With a suitable range to handle the company’s Palletforce network collections and deliveries, it’s an important step towards offering emission free deliveries for its own customers, and those of Palletforce members.

“Many customers want to see their logistics partners making commitments to environmental improvement

and long-term sustainability, so we’ve introduced a new fully-electric collection and delivery vehicle which fits in well with our Palletforce operations,” said Managing

Director Stuart Holt.

“It works really well for our local area and it’s important for us to be able to offer lower carbon deliveries.

“Our customers are pleased

to see it’s introduction and it’s also good that we can offer this to other Palletforce members and their customers who require deliveries across our area.”

39

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THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

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PR • DESIGN • MARKETING

Exclusive PR & Marketing Support Packages For Palletforce Members Really Clever PR has been providing PR, design and marketing support to Palletforce and EV Cargo for eight years and is offering discounted monthly packages for Palletforce members.

SOCIAL

£350 per month

• Professional social media and digital marketing graphics every month.

SOCIAL + PR

£495 per month

• Professional social media and digital marketing graphics every month.

• Production of one website story per month.

• Design of a branded digital business flyer.

SOCIAL + PR + MARKETING

£995 per month

• Professional social media and digital marketing graphics every month.

• Production of one website story every month.

• Production of press releases and distribution to trade media.

• Design of a branded digital business flyer.

• Professionally designed Powerpoint sales presentation.

• Design of a business sales brochure.

• Internal communications support.

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS • Monthly sales and marketing email campaign.

How your business will benefit Build your brand online and attract customers Dramatically increase your social media reach Win business with modern, professional tenders Improve internal communications Meet customer requirements on sustainability reporting

Contact

• Production of business tender documents.

Glenn Patterson glenn@reallycleverpr.com

• Writing of award submissions.

07872 470 115

• Production of a company sustainability report.

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THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

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ORDER OF THE EVENING 6.00PM

Pre-dinner drinks in the Foyer Bar

6.50PM

Welcome from Mark Tapper

7.00PM Dinner

8.20PM

Comfort break

8.30PM

After-dinner entertainment: Paul Sinha

9PM

Charity auction and raffle

DRESS CODE: Smart casual

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THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

CHARITY AUCTION An amazing range of prizes and lots in our charity auction and raffle, with all money raised going to amazing causes.

Raffle tickets £10

Card machine and IOUs available

And then we cut to The Chase...

The auction will be hosted by Paul Sinha. Paul’s wonderfully relaxed, friendly storytelling style combines wry observations on life and the world with beautifully crafted one-liners, along with a fund of anecdotes .

Great causes

All proceeds will be donated to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and Kids’ Village.

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MOVING YOU FORWARDS We help companies move goods safely and efficiently, through the design, supply and maintenance of materials handling equipment.

Logistics

Distribution & Warehousing

Food & Drink Logistics

Retail

Contact us to discuss how we can help keep your business moving.

SHSHANDLING SOLUTIONS .COM

0800 619 0800 46

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

SALES@SHS-HANDLING.COM

TOGETHER

One Broker is a trading name of Jensten Insurance Brokers (East) Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Registered address: Discovery House, 4 Norwich Business Park, Whiting Road, Norwich, NR4 6DJ. Registered in England and Wales No: 07131737. 47

ALL-IRELAND SERVICE

WOODSIDE RECRUITMENT MEANS A SIMPLIFIED CUSTOMS

WE’RE ON

YOUR SIDE O ne of Ireland’s most successful transport companies has joined the Palletforce distribution network, providing Palletforce

48

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

members with a marketplace advantage and their customers with an unrivalled and streamlined service for freight distribution across the island of Ireland.

Woodside Logistics Group has become the latest member of the award-winning

Palletforce express distribution network and will handle the network’s operations in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Headquartered in Ballynure in Northern Ireland, and with operational

ALL-IRELAND SERVICE

PROCESS & ENHANCED DELIVERY SERVICE FOR MEMBERS

Our expertise in handling freight crossing the Irish Sea and focus on simplifying the processes around customs clearance will provide Palletforce members with the confidence to offer their customers a market-leading solution across Ireland. depots across the Republic of Ireland, Woodside Logistics Group was established in 1967 by Robert and Ian Woodside. The group employs 670 staff and operates nearly 300 vehicles across general haulage, motor freight, tanker

and bulk logistics and global freight forwarding businesses.

Today Robert’s son Simon is Managing Director of the Woodside Distribution division, a specialist in the movement of palletised freight between the UK and Irish markets and will operate dedicated Palletforce branded, double-deck trailers and a fleet of rigid collection and delivery vehicles on its operation.

With simplified processes and enhanced customs clearance, the new service will provide Palletforce members with a competitive advantage when it comes to shipping freight across the Irish Sea. A member of the Transport Association, Woodside Logistics Group’s decision to join Palletforce was based on the close alignment of business values around trust, service and a culture of delivery excellence. The new partnership will also help create operational advantages for Woodside and its customers as they benefit from the Palletforce network, infrastructure and expertise across mainland UK. Simon Woodside, Woodside Distribution Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to be joining the Palletforce network. As a family business, we share similar synergies around customer care, service excellence and providing a hasslefree approach with professional depot communication and interaction.

“Our expertise in handling freight crossing the Irish Sea and focus on simplifying the processes around customs clearance will provide Palletforce members with the confidence to offer their customers a market-leading solution across Ireland, opening up new trade opportunities.

“We’ve invested in additional vehicles, extended our cross-dock facilities and recruited staff to bolster our customs clearance and customer service resource, and are excited by the opportunities it creates for us.”

Mark Tapper, Palletforce Chief Executive, said: “Securing a marketleading freight transport business with the reputation, customer-centric approach and market expertise that Woodside Logistics Group possesses is an extremely important move to deliver the best possible solution for our members.

“This new partnership with Woodside allows us further enhance the personal approach by improving depot communication, removing hassle and streamlining processes to enable greater trade.

“I’m extremely confident that Simon and his team will deliver a trusted service to enable our members and their customers to develop market opportunities across Ireland, safe in their knowledge their freight is being handled by the market experts.”

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SAFETY RECOGNITION

The highest order Palletforce earns Order of Distinction for safety from Royal Society

P

alletforce is continuing to set health and safety standards in the sector after becoming the first UK palletised freight network to receive the prestigious Order of Distinction from RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) for earning its 15th consecutive Gold Award.

The Order of Distinction recognises Palletforce’s remarkable consistency in displaying the very highest levels of health and safety in the workplace for 15 consecutive years.

Palletforce prioritises safety on a daily basis with an unrelenting focus on the safety and wellbeing of its employees and visiting member drivers to ensure everyone gets home safely every day.

The RoSPA Health and Safety Awards are the largest occupational health and safety awards programme in the UK and recognise organisations’ commitment to continuous improvement in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work.

Palletforce works closely with its 120 member transport businesses to drive the highest levels of safety through the implementation of the latest health and safety procedures and investment in welfare facilities for staff and visitors.

Palletforce Health and Safety Manager Beverley Knight said: “It is an amazing honour to receive an Order

50

of Distinction from such a prestigious organisation as RoSPA. The exceptional levels of safety and longterm consistency required to achieve this are a testament to how hard everyone at Palletforce works to maintain standards coupled with our ongoing investment in safe operating processes to ensure we continue to lead the sector.

“We know that accidents at work and work-related ill health not only cause major disruptions to business processes, but the effect on quality of life to the individual cannot be understated, so our safety procedures are never taken lightly.

Mark Tapper, Palletforce Chief Executive Officer, added: “To be awarded the gold standard from RoSPA for 15 years has needed investment, innovation and dedication as well as a laserlike focus on the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues

THE NETWORKER: MGM 2025

and visitors to drive continuous improvement.

“Palletforce is an ethical and socially responsible company and keeping both our staff and our visitors safe is central for us and is a key part of our governance and sustainability strategy.”

The RoSPA Awards are one of the most prestigious and recognised schemes in the world with almost 2,000 entries every year across nearly 50 countries and a reach of over 7 million employees.

Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “Workplace accidents don’t just pose financial risks and operational disruptions; they significantly impact the quality of life for individuals.

This is why acknowledging and rewarding excellent safety performance is vital.

“We congratulate Palletforce for winning a prestigious RoSPA Award and showing an unwavering commitment to keeping employees, clients and customers safe from accidental harm and injury.”

Our golden years

A history of Palletforce’s dedication to safety in our workplaces

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Sustainability in action

EUROPEAN SERVICES

EVSCOPE EMISSIONS REPORTS FOR EVERY CONSIGNMENT

• EV Scope tracks emissions associated with all network deliveries • Easily generate reports for individual consignments • EV Scope reporting tool exclusive to Palletforce members @Palletforce www.palletforce.com