Fastlane Spring 2009

Cartwright Brothers and Mainland scoop the prizes Winning the coveted Pall-Ex Depot of the Year Award is in itself a wonderful achievement, but to win two years in succession is almost unheard of!

Depot Principal of Depot 80, John Cartwright, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for all of our staff who work so hard to get things right.

Thanks to everyone who voted for us.”

Depot 56, Shears Bros (Transport) Limited of Christchurch were voted into second place, a result very much deserved. Depot 32, CDK Pallet Distribution of Shropshire managed a highly

creditable third place. As usual, the accolades are accompanied by champagne, certificates and a shield for the winner (see photograph).

Mike Bacon’s Mainland Group, Depot 106, of Northampton, were voted the winner of the Outstanding Contribution to the Network award, whilst Depot 57, STD Developments Limited of Cheshire came a praiseworthy second. Not satisfied with their placing in the Depot of the Year Award, Depot 56, Shears Bros (Transport) Limited also took home the accolade of third position.

Next Fastlane: Summer 09 News & feedback: contact Holly Cave – Marketing Executive: E: hcave@pallex.co.uk T: 01530 239065

Spring 2009

HUBNEWS… Message from founder and CEO, Hilary Devey don’t feel that way. We are seeing many positives, such as members recognising that they need to both market themselves effectively and utilise every opportunity presented to them by virtue of being a member of a quality driven network.

Because the Pall-Ex network spans the whole of the UK and interacts with innumerable SMEs and multi-nationals every day, it acts as a great barometer for the economy – we all have a clear picture of just how our customers are being affected.

During these challenging times, it would be easy to write an article that is full of doom and gloom, but I’m happy to say that I genuinely

The extra assistance that our Marketing Team is offering, through collaboration with the members of the Network Sales and Marketing Forum, will continue and I am certain it will result in additional volumes. I fully expected our membership to rise to the challenges, and it’s clear that you are doing just that. The new services we are introducing will also offer sales opportunities for both your existing and new customers.

I urge you to make the most of all of them.

On another positive note, we are already beginning to see great strides forward in the development

of not only Pall-IT, but peripheral IT related products and services.

These will ensure that we once again take the lead that others will doubtless follow.

And finally, our mission to develop a pan-European palletised freight network is now well and truly underway, with Pall-Ex Italia enjoying a very successful launch mid-February. Our Projects Team has continued to seek principal national partners in other countries of mainland Europe, and we are confident of launching further networks during the forthcoming twelve months.

Pall-IT integrates with the terminal – combined with a long-range hand-held scanner, this has enabled scan information to be captured and transmitted using an RF network with a real time upload

Depot 94, Pallet Distribution Services Limited, is operating this new service within the M25 area.

Customer research has indicated a significant and increasing demand for deliveries which take place between 6.00pm and midnight in certain areas of the country.

So confident are we, therefore, that our new service will be a great success, that we are already planning to extend it to other cities in the UK during 2009.

My very best wishes,

Hilary Devey, Chairman and CEO

Major strides forward in hub scanning We have seen a dramatic increase in the accuracy of scanning. We are now seeing 99% success since the introduction of brand new equipment.

NEW – Night Time deliveries within the M25

to Pall-IT system. This solution has provided not only critical location data of consignments but also ‘scan time stamps’ allowing historically operational nonconformances to be reviewed.

With Pall-Ex Night Time, you can offer your customers: • Deliveries to premises that are located in pedestrianised and other areas where access is restricted during the day • Home deliveries at times convenient to the consignee

Next Fastlane: Summer 09 News & feedback: contact Holly Cave – Marketing Executive: E: hcave@pallex.co.uk T: 01530 239065

Spring 2009

HUBNEWS

Exciting times for Pall-IT Pall-Ex Director of IT, Sean Sherwin-Smith, has already announced significant changes during 2009 to position Pall-Ex well ahead of its competitors.

Throughout January and February, numerous suppliers have been contacted and invited to visit the hub to demonstrate various solutions, sharing industry best practice. Along with the published IT hardware cost reduction, we are pleased to confirm that the following IT solutions have been selected for their functionality and compatibility.

These are all now available to members at considerable discount from our partners: • Vehicle tracking – NavMan (www.navmanwireless.co.uk) • Hosted email – Microsoft Exchange (www.microsoft.com) • Hosted CRM – Microsoft Dynamics (www.microsoft.com)

• Hosted servers – Genesis (www.genesis.co.uk) • IT disaster recovery – Genesis (www.genesis.co.uk) • Mobile phone/airtime tariffs – Vodafone (www.vodafone.co.uk) If you would like to find out more about these services or already deal with one of these suppliers then please speak to our Network Development department to ensure you don’t miss out on benefiting from our partnerships.

Updates to the fork lift scanners at the hub, as well as several other major back office initiatives, have now taken place and the IT team has also commenced the development of both the new Pall-IT system and central billing solutions.

The first phase of the new web based system is particularly exciting as it will raise the bar not only for operational competitors, but also

means we will turn on its head the traditional logistics software house business model. Rather than trying to lock in users of our solution, we will be using what we call our ‘Key Access’ model. This gives users the option to integrate their existing user

interface or adopt the interface that we are developing jointly with members and customers alike.

Welcome on board Premier Logistics

L M Logistics

Premier Logistics joined the Pall-Ex network in December 2008 to cover the LE postcodes. The Hinckleybased distribution company bring with them over 30 years of experience in the industry.

Please welcome Felixstowe-based L M Logistics to the Pall-Ex network, who will be covering IP postcodes.

L M Logistics is fast becoming one of the UK’s leading shipping, freight forwarding and warehouse and distribution organisations. Formerly part of the Lehnkering GmbH Group, it changed its name from Lehnkering Logistics following a buy-out by the UK management team in 2004.

Lee Christopher, Depot Principal, commented “We decided to join Pall-Ex after investigating all of the major networks. We were most impressed not only by the hub and its facilities but also with the obvious quality of its membership base.”

The No.1 Pallet Network

Spring 2009

DEPOTNEWS Mini Clipper’s 100% turn out for work in the snow Heavy snowfall in February deterred not one single employee out of 100 employed by Mini Clipper from turning up for work at their Leighton Buzzard depot.

worsened, all drivers and warehouse teams still showed up with a great team spirit, clearing the loading compound to ensure trucks could depart safely.

All trucks left on time despite all local schools being closed and the town grinding to a halt. When the snow

“Our customers rely on us to deliver their stock onto the shelves of Boots, Tesco, B&Q and other locations every

day so failure to attempt delivery is not an option,” said Managing Director, Peter Masters. “I am delighted that we have such a dedicated workforce who all gave their best endeavours to carry out their day’s work to please our customers. I would like to thank them all for succeeding in such adverse conditions.”

Pall-Ex Managing Director, Adrian Russell, was quick to comment.

“I was delighted (but not that surprised) that our network as a whole all pulled together during the atrocious conditions in some parts of the country. It’s a credit to all involved that we worked together as a team.”

Premier Palletise launch new website Adam Hopcroft, Principal of D91, has just announced the launch of a new website.

Adam comments, “We have been working on this project for several months and has many new features which will provide major benefits for our customers”: The new features on the site include: • • • •

Data capture Customer surveys Auto response to requests Display of newsletters

The ease of use has been improved for visiting customers and prospects, it will be updated regularly with news and industry information.

Cranleigh Freight Services - The Toast of Surrey Business!

Cranleigh Freight Services has won an award at the Toast of Surrey Business Awards 2009 in the category ‘Turnover Up to £50 Million’ sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group.

This award complements Cranleigh’s growing list of prestigious awards, including International Operator of the Year – 2001 and 2002, South East Business Surrey Mega Growth, IFW Business Improvement Award, The Institute of Transport Management and Business & Commerce Today’s Annual Award for Transport and Logistics.

New premises for A E Parker Limited A E Parker, D25, has opened a new 7,500sq ft depot in Petersfield, into which they have recently moved.

The site is conveniently located on the A3 between Portsmouth, Southampton and London.

Next Fastlane: Summer 09 News & feedback: contact Holly Cave – Marketing Executive: E: hcave@pallex.co.uk T: 01530 239065

Spring 2009

DEPOTNEWS… Ace Express Freight named as one of Ireland’s 25 best managed companies!

Depot 6, Ace Express Freight, has been named as one of Ireland’s best managed companies in the Deloitte Best Managed Companies Awards.

In total, twenty-five companies were recognised at a gala dinner in the Ritz Carlton, Powerscourt, which was held on 27 February 2009 and attended by President McAleese.

Commenting on the award, Philip

Tracey, Managing Director of the Ace Express Group, said, “Winning this award is recognition for 20 years concentrated effort. We have built a great team across our group and they have played an integral part in driving our company forward.

This has brought opportunities to the group over the years that have enabled us to grow consistently and produce good results.”

Updating our fleets...

D45 – McGregor Logistics

D53 – T & R Phillips Transport Ltd

CJ Express extend portfolio Rocket Blue has been set up by C J Express as a separate trading company, offering the highest quality of deliveries to a wide audience, including the general public.

Online quotations can be accessed instantly online to anyone from personal collections and deliveries to eBay shoppers. Services available include priority, economy and specific timed. They also offer empty pallets when carrying out the collection, together with a palletisation service.

Clarks Direct Clarks Direct have recently won a contract with Hillhout, an international company producing an extensive range of wooden garden products.

Clarks will be responsible for their full UK distribution. Paul Clark commented, “We are delighted to win this contract and work with a company which is recognised for its quality products.”

Walter Edmundson celebrate anniversary D45

D53

Depot 86, Walter Edmundson, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

It has provided an innovative, reliable and quality service to the Isle of Man for more years than any other shipping company. The company was the first to introduce the lift-on / lift off container service and the first roll-on / roll-off shipping service to the island.

Walter Edmundson and its parent company Manx Independent Carriers are the market leaders in the Isle of Man for freight and shipping.

The No.1 Pallet Network

Spring 2009

OTHERNEWS...

Kuehne + Nagel rates Kuehne + Nagel will be providing rates from 0 to 5000kg for European exports and imports in the coming weeks to Pall-Ex members, recognising that the previous 2500kg limit could be restrictive at times.

The provision of rates will also save you the time and trouble of requesting quotes from the Kuehne + Nagel Team in Ellistown. The new charges will, of course, take in to consideration the

current rates of exchange. A point to note - when quoting imports, you will notice the rates are higher. This is due to the imbalance of trade to and from the UK. The top exporting depots with Kuehne + Nagel for January 2009 in were, in first place Depot 63, second Depot 92 and third Depot 106. Kuehne + Nagel would like to thank all depots for their continued support.

Beating the crunch!

Even though the credit crunch is biting hard within the transport industry, 2009 has so far been a very active time at Depot 27, Sims Worldwide Logistics.

Their 22,000 sq ft Stockport warehouse has had a massive overhaul. This makes it now fully racked, offering storage of 1000+ pallet spaces.

Both Sims’ Stockport and Leicester branches are being backed up by Haul Tech’s Traffic Management, Document Management and Warehouse Management Systems, making tracking of vehicles and freight easy for themselves, Pall-Ex members and customers alike. The ever growing depot has also taken delivery of nine new straight frame and three new Ecodec, sloping front double deck

trailers, along with one new MAN and two new Mercedes cabs.

All of this, along with undertaking additional postcodes in M and OL, is going to make for a very exciting future.

Depot Principal, Ken Daniels-Sims says, “It’s been a very hectic and fastpaced start to 2009, but all the team at Sims is enthusiastic that growth, reinvestment and extra hard work is the way forward, especially in such demanding times as these.”

Croome Gold Star Logistics’ success Also known as D85, Croome Gold Star Logistics joined the Pall-Ex network in January last year and have found the experience “absolutely brilliant.”

“We are achieving our targets in developing business from local customers, typically smaller businesses, which has been an entirely new venture for us, as previously our main customer base consisted of large manufacturers spread throughout the UK,” commented David Croome, Managing Director.

Award winning Jeremy!

Jeremy Sutcliffe, Depot Principal of Palletmaster (D31), has become the first winner of the Adrian Sudbury Award.

The award is in memory of the former Huddersfield Examiner journalist, who lost his battle with leukaemia last August.

Adrian, 27, devoted the last 18 months of his live helping the Laura Crane Trust, a charity supporting young cancer sufferers.

The award will be presented on an annual basis to someone who has gone that extra mile for the trust. Jeremy was nominated for the work his firm have done to help the trust reach out to young cancer suffers.

Next Fastlane: Summer 09 News & feedback: contact Holly Cave – Marketing Executive: E: hcave@pallex.co.uk T: 01530 239065

The French Connection You may be aware, Kuehne + Nagel purchased Alloin in France at the end of 2008.

From 1 April 2009, there will be daily direct departures from Ellistown to Alloin’s hub, offering an improvement in service to all parts of France, as Alloin operates 53 depots serving the country. K+N are offering a prize to the top inputting Pall-Ex depot during the period 1 April to 31 May. Entry is automatic.

If you have any queries please contact Rob Willshire on 01530 239647, 07770 280375 or rob.willshire@kuehne-nagel.com

In memory of...

We would like to pass on our condolences to the family and friends of Maureen Brown who worked as credit controller at Contact Transport, D26.

Maureen passed away in February this year.

Also, our deepest sympathies go to those who knew Liam Phillips, employed at the hub as a (Night) Fork Lift Truck Driver.

Liam passed away on 14 March.

Our thoughts are also with Clive Cowern and his family. Clive’s wife has recently passed away.

7

Spring 2009

OTHERNEWS...

Pall-Ex treats Leicestershire carers to a weekend getaway A group of carers from Leicestershire has been treated to a two-day trip to Birmingham.

The members of a local carers’ association, which is affiliated to the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, enjoyed a packed itinerary, including a shopping excursion, a visit to the theatre and a day at The National Sea Life Centre.

The event was the brainchild of Pall-Ex founder and CEO, Hilary Devey, who is also a patron of the trust.

Commenting, Hilary said: “There are thousands of carers out there whose work goes largely unrecognised. We are pleased to be in the position to treat some of the carers who work so hard in our own community to a few days away. Members of the Pall-Ex network have been very generous in supporting the trip, both financially and in practical terms. These include Contact Transport of Birmingham and Croome Gold Star Logistics, of Kent.”

Hilary recognised by EMDA Hilary’s forward thinking and entrepreneurial spirit has been recognised once again – this time,

by The East Midlands Development Agency’s Women of Worth Awards.

Society, Hilary’s business acumen shone through and earned her the title of ‘Businesswoman of the Year’, awarded at a ceremony in Derby on 5 March.

Against stiff competition, including the CEO of Lincolnshire Co-operative

Well done yet again, Hilary!

New Financial Controller David Gannon takes on the role of Pall-Ex’s Financial Controller, after spending 16 years in the logistics industry, working for a number of key players in the express parcel sector.

Commenting on the role, David said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Pall-Ex. Its reputation within the industry is second-tonone and I’m looking forward to supporting the Group FD and working with the financial team to achieve continued success.”

The Body Shop delivers contract extension for Pall-Ex Iconic high street store The Body Shop has extended its original threeyear contract with the Pall-Ex network.

“The Body Shop is one of a rapidly growing number of retailers who have recognised that using a pallet network reduces costs and helps the environment,” explains Keith Allsop, National Sales Manager for Pall-Ex. “They also value the efficiency and flexibility of service shown by our members.”

Calendar girls!

Our thanks to the 12 brave female employees from Pall-Ex hub who dared to bare almost all for charity.

We are delighted that their efforts and those of the Pall-Ex membership as a whole resulted in a profit of £1,322, which is being presented to The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. We do have a small number of calendars left – should you wish to purchase any more, please contact Holly Cave – hcave@pallex.co.uk

The No.1 Pallet Network

Spring 2009

ANDFINALLY… Employee of the Year

Congratulations to Jonathon Gould, night shift supervisor, who was voted winner of the Employee of the Year Award by Pall-Ex hub staff.

Jonathon began as a trainee on the day operation around

4 years ago, and soon moved on to the busy night operation. After a year he was given the chance to become a section leader on 'C' section. Taking all of this in his stride, and having done such a good job, he was made night operation supervisor. Jonathon was closely followed in the competition by Nigel Shreeves, day operations supervisor, who came in second place, and Reyaz Mussa, hub development team leader, who was voted into third place.

Research delivers some surprising results Thanks to those members who completed our recent survey on their perceptions of the UK economy. As with many research projects, most of the questions produced predictable answers.

For instance, 42% of respondents feel that the Government is poor when it comes to acting on issues that directly affect the haulage industry, with issues cited (not surprisingly) including unfair tax on fuel. In effect, members are saying that the Government needs to do more to protect a sector that not only is a major part of the

economy, but one that, quite literally, keeps others on the road. However, the answers received to the question concerning the support Pall-Ex members are receiving from their banks did produce an unexpected response.

Managing Director, Adrian Russell, commented, “When it comes to the banks, which have been lambasted by many, it is a different story. The results show that 71.4% of respondents feel that their banks have been supportive, while 10.7% say that their funders have been extremely helpful.”

Assistance with marketing Over the past weeks, the marketing department has been working on a number of new initiatives designed to aid your sales to prospective customers.

Pall-Ex depot flyer You will have now received a small supply of A4 flyers.

Produced in conjunction with the Network Sales and Marketing Forum members, they are intended for use in face to face meetings or mailings. The flyers will sit comfortably with your existing literature and can also be used with a letter as an independent mailer. If you require further quantities you can purchase 100 for £15 + VAT, from hcave@pallex.co.uk.

An electronic version has also been distributed.

Body Shop case study This case study has already been distributed. For further copies, please email hcave@pallex.co.uk with your request.

Customer testimonials We are also producing a sheet of printed customer testimonials with similar objectives in mind. Again, this will be distributed shortly in hard copy and electronic version.

Next Fastlane: Summer 09 News & feedback: contact Holly Cave – Marketing Executive: E: hcave@pallex.co.uk T: 01530 239065

Maurice Birkett You may be aware by now that on Friday 13th February, Senior Network Manager Maurice Birkett, was involved in a serious car accident.

The good news is that Maurice is now on the road to recovery. If you have any queries in the meantime, please contact the Network Development Team. Jason MacCarten and Mike Coleman will be taking over Maurice’s auditing responsibilities in the interim.