Press release
Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The man credited with revolutionising Britain’s haulage industry has been honoured for his work over the past 40 years.
Palletforce Chairman John Brotherton has been handed the Lifetime Achievement Award at the highly acclaimed IFW Awards in London. 
                                          
Mr Brotherton, 65, is one of the industry’s ‘unsung heroes’ and has overseen some of the sector’s biggest advances. 

“It has been a privilege to serve the industry for so many years,” said Mr Brotherton, who is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, and the Institute of Logistics. 

“It’s an honour to be handed a lifetime achievement award, but I would also like to think I have a lot more to offer the transport industry.”

Amongst his many achievements Mr Brotherton has been involved in developing the UK’s first track-and-trace system in a Contract Distribution company, setting up the first responsive pallet network using different depots, and creating the UK’s first real pan-European distribution network.

He added: “There have been many changes over the years that have helped mould the transport industry into its current shape. It is wonderful to think that I have played a part in that.”

One of Mr Brotherton’s biggest successes began in 1979 when he joined the family-owned Swift Transport Service, where he increased turnover from £2million to £110million – with the number of staff rising from 110 to 3,000.

Following the merger of Swift into the LEP Group in 1986, Mr Brotherton became CEO of the LEP-Swift pan-European distribution network, whilst retaining the roles of Chairman and CEO of Swift. He then became Worldwide CEO of LEP’s logistics and distribution operations.

In 1991 Mr Brotherton led the management buyout of Swift, which was sold two years later for £85million – making it, at the time, the most successful UK-based management buyout in terms of increased equity.

Today Mr Brotherton is continuing his work in shaping the industry as Chairman of Palletforce, one of the UK’s leading palletised distribution networks.

Palletforce CEO Michael Conroy, who is himself considered one of the rising stars of the sector, said working with Mr Brotherton had been a real inspiration.

He said: “As well as his achievements, John is the most genuine individual I have worked with. He is fair and honest, extremely challenging and not afraid to challenge the status quo. My career has benefited from it, as have countless others.”

Press Release;  October 27, 2009 

A LEADING haulage network has proved its operation is anything but a ‘risky business’ by achieving internationally-recognised standards in health and safety.

Staffordshire-based Palletforce continues to lead the way in the express freight distribution industry after securing an OHSAS 18001 occupational health and safety management accreditation.     

Ensuring that its employees are able to work safely is critical for the network as more than 600 trucks pass through its bustling distribution Hub in Burton-on-Trent every night.

The status was gained in just 12 weeks and Palletforce – Britain’s leading palletised distribution network – is one of few member-owned networks to have achieved the standard.

Palletforce had to show that it had clearly defined authority and responsibilities in place to manage its health and safety procedures at the Hub.

The network also had to prove that procedures were in place to monitor and carry out further improvements to its occupational health and safety policies.

Palletforce’s health, safety, quality and facilities manager, John Rothery, believes the accreditation proves Palletforce is delivering world-class performance.

He said: “This is an excellent achievement for the network and shows that we are firmly committed to providing the safest possible conditions for our employees.  Having strong health and safety policies in place enables us to reduce our operating costs, win more business, and increase customer satisfaction.
“We must now ensure that we use this standard to measure and drive our standards forward even further.”

HRH The Princess Royal officially opened the UK’s single largest palletised distribution Hub at Burton-upon-Trent on Monday, September 28.

To watch a video presentation from the official opening please click here.

The Princess Royal, who is an honorary member of the Road Haulage Association, visited the £30million Palletforce Hub in recognition of the transport network’s phenomenal success. 

During her visit The Princess was given a guided tour to see how Palletforce’s distribution Hub acts as a nerve centre for the overnight delivery of palletised goods across the UK and Europe. More than 220 guests, including Palletforce shareholder members and customers, celebrated the official opening of the Hub, which is a significant milestone in the network’s eight-year growth. From humble beginnings in 2001, Palletforce has built a unique member-owned network of 86 haulage companies, which work together to offer cost effective and environmentally efficient distribution for many major brands and high street retailers.

Press Release;  September 11th, 2009

HRH The Princess Royal is officially opening the UK’s single largest palletised distribution Hub at Burton-upon-Trent on Monday, September 28

The Princess Royal, who is an honorary member of the Road Haulage Association, will be visiting the £30million Palletforce Hub in recognition of the transport network’s phenomenal success. 

During her visit The Princess will be given the chance to see how Palletforce’s distribution Hub acts as a nerve centre for the overnight delivery of goods across the UK and Europe.

From humble beginnings in 2001, Palletforce has built a unique member-owned network of 86 haulage companies, which work together to offer cost effective and environmentally efficient distribution for many major brands and high street retailers.

The Princess Royal will be able to see how Palletforce has grown from operating out of a World War II aircraft hangar to building a state-of-the-art distribution hub, which now leads the way in the palletised distribution sector.

Palletforce Chief Executive Officer Michael Conroy said: “Everyone at Palletforce is very excited about the visit. We are delighted to show The Princess around the hub and demonstrate how it provides an award winning service to thousands of customers.

“At a time when other businesses are downsizing, Palletforce is travelling forward and flying the flag for British entrepreneurial spirit.”

As part of the visit The Princess Royal will be invited to look at vintage heavy goods vehicles on display that belong to Palletforce shareholder members.

Amongst the guests will be Palletforce Chairman John Brotherton, the High Sheriff of Staffordshire Richard Haszard,  Mayor of the Borough of East Staffordshire Geoffrey Morrison, and other dignitaries.

The Princess wil unveil a commemorative plaque in the hub and a posy of flowers will be presented by Harriet and Grace Conroy, from Stratford.

Palletforce Chairman John Brotherton added: “We are very proud of our staff and members who have all contributed to the growth and success of the network and deserve this recognition.

“It is especially thrilling as The Princess Royal is an honorary member of the Road Haulage Association, which provides dedicated support to the haulage industry.”

Latest News; September 4th, 2009

Michael is joining his good friend Allan Blakeley, who is U K Director of FedEx UK Supply Chain Services, to walk the final week of a 21 day walk in aid of Mencap.To complete the challenge, Michael will have to walk an average of 22 miles perday, just short of a marathon a day – starting in Alveston, near Bristol, on Saturday, September 19, and finishing in Launceston, Cornwall.

Michael has already raised a staggering £6,500 and has a new target of £10,000 to go towards Allan's goal of £50,000 to support Mencap and the valuable work it does to help children with learning difficulties.

“I have been spending a lot of time training in the gym, so I will be glad to hit the road and start covering the distance that really matters,” said Michael. He added: “There has been an outstanding level of support so far, which has made me set a new fundraising target. The more we can raise the better, as it will make such a difference to Mencap and the people who benefit from the charity's fantastic work.”

Michael is a good friend of Allan and his family, and appreciates that Mencap is a charity close to Allan’s heart, so has chosen to support him in the final leg of this exceptional charity challenge.  Allan will be setting off from Newcastle  upon Tyne, FedEx's furthest northern site in England, and the walk is covering 463 miles down to the furthest south FedEx site in Launceston, Cornwall.

Members, customers and partners can show their support for Michael by donating online.

To donate, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/Michael-Conroy/