Press Release: Monday 8th, February 2010 

Palletforce is powering its way into 2010 in style after clinching the ‘treble’ with three international standard awards.

The palletised distribution network has achieved accreditations for quality, safety and environmental excellence – by gaining the internationally recognised standards ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001.

“Palletforce leads the way in setting new industry standards and these accreditations show our commitment to driving excellence throughout our whole operation,” said Palletforce CEO Michael Conroy.

“Our strapline is ‘Work with the best’ and we believe there is no better network in terms of service and quality – these are the things that really count to customers who use Palletforce.”

Over the next year more companies than ever will be scrutinising the way they transport goods from place to place – in an effort to reduce their impact on the environment.

By its very nature, Palletforce helps cut unnecessary vehicle movements and has the flexibility to transport smaller consignments so can help to drastically reduce business costs and environmental impact.

Dave Holland, Palletforce Sales and Marketing Director, said the business has an exciting story to tell that is attracting new customers and members.

“In the current trading conditions, businesses are looking to save and many have been assessing their transport costs and systems.

“Palletforce’s shared user network offers a cost effective and flexible solution that is particularly attractive to environmentally responsible businesses – so it’s a win-win situation.”

Dave added: “We have seen a big increase in the number of retailers and manufacturers looking at this flexible palletised method of transport. We can offer them the flexibility of smaller consignments while still harnessing the economies of scale of a large distribution network.”

Palletforce takes its own Corporate Social Responsibility extremely seriously and, as well as achieving ISO standards, the network has helped to raise over £40,000 for the learning disability charity Mencap, over the last few months.

The money was raised by Palletforce CEO Michael Conroy and his good friend Allan Blakeley, from FedEx UK, who took part in a 463-mile walk from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Launceston.

The money was topped up by an extra £10,000 during a charity auction at the Palletforce Annual General Meeting in January.

Mencap Regional Fundraising Manager Kelly Railton said: “We are absolutely delighted with the amount of money raised for Mencap and can’t thank Allan and Michael enough for their efforts and the support of Palletforce and FedEx.”

Innovation has also been at the forefront of the business and the network is particularly proud of its 400,000sq ft state-of-the-art Hub which celebrates its first anniversary in January 2010.

This really is the jewel in the crown of palletised distribution centres and its place as one of the finest in Europe was underlined when HRH The Princess Royal gave it her royal seal of approval by visiting in September.

The new facilities have been accompanied by innovation and the network is especially proud of its collaboration with Wilson Trailers to be the first in the distribution sector to use ‘Curtainclear®’.

This is the UK’s first step frame double deck giving unrestricted loading access. It allows curtains to fully clear the sides of the trailer all the way to the rear, giving operators and drivers full side access to both top and bottom decks to reduce health and safety issues, achieve full pay load and improve speed of access.

Palletforce plans to continue its innovation and growth in the future as more businesses understand the huge benefits palletised networks can bring. 

With a clutch of industry awards, the best Hub operational facilities in the UK and the treble ISO accreditation, the network is ‘one to watch’ in 2010.

Press Release: January 22nd, 2010

ONE of Scotland’s largest and most respected transport and distribution companies is to join the highly successful Palletforce network.

                         

Dalkeith Transport and Storage will become a shareholder member of the award-winning network from March 1, 2010 in what is a momentous and positive step forward for the company.

Peter Wright, Managing Director of Dalkeith Transport and Storage, said: “Moving to the Palletforce network is a major development for our company and will open up exciting opportunities going forward.”

Dalkeith Transport, which has been established for more than 60 years, has two depots Newtongrange, by Edinburgh, and Cumbernauld, and is ending a 10-year association with Palletways to join Palletforce.

Over the last year Palletforce has become a dominating force within the palletised distribution sector – winning a clutch of industry awards and undergoing major investment in a new £30million Distribution Hub, officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

“We believe Palletforce is driving innovation and quality within the industry and we are delighted to be joining forces with such a forward-thinking, service-orientated network,” added Mr Wright.

“This move represents our commitment to ensuring we remain focused on quality and customer service within a setting that can deliver the best operational and distribution facilities available.”

Dalkeith Transport presently operates a fleet of circa 47 carrying vehicles, with 100 Trailers hauling general freight throughout the UK. A strong factor in moving to Palletforce was the network’s unique position as a member-owned palletised distribution operation; as ultimately this ensures quality throughout the network as every ‘member’ company has a stake in its success.

Michael Conroy, CEO of Palletforce, welcomed the announcement saying: “Dalkeith Transport is a hugely respected transport company and we are looking forward to welcoming them as a valued Palletforce member. “Our ethos is to ‘work with the best’ transport companies and Dalkeith is a perfect fit within our network – bringing quality and experience going back over many years.”

Palletforce has seen a surge in interest from companies wishing to join the network since opening its new Hub and major investment in infrastructure.

Michael Conroy added: “Our new Distribution Hub, in Burton-upon-Trent is the largest of its kind in the UK and gives us facilities that are now the envy of the sector and allow our members’ customers to enjoy the very best services available. “We are also seeing gains in the European market and are well-placed to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there.”

Press Release: January 19th, 2010 

THE UK’s leading haulage network has proved that the transport industry can ‘go green’. 

Staffordshire-based network Palletforce has underlined its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint after securing the ISO 14001 accreditation – a worldwide standard that recognises organisations for controlling and improving their environmental performance.

With 86 members working across the UK and Europe and more than 600 trucks passing through the network’s 380,000 sqft distribution Hub in Burton-on-Trent every night, minimising environmental impact and maximising efficiency is key to Palletforce’s strategy.

“Palletforce recognises that the energy use and emissions generated by the business has a key impact on the environment,” said John Rothery, Palletforce’s health, safety, quality and facilities manager.

John Rothery - Health, Safety, Quality and Facilites Manager

John added: “Where we have direct control we do everything we can to improve our green credentials.

“In areas that are controlled by our members, suppliers and customers, our approach is to work closely with them to help them understand, and progressively minimise, the impact of services provided and purchased.”    

The status comes just weeks after the network was recognised for its standards in health and safety and makes Palletforce – Britain’s leading palletised distribution network – one of few member-owned networks to hold both the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards.

During a three-day assessment, Palletforce had to demonstrate that it is measuring, managing and reporting key aspects of environmental performance and working continuously to improve using appropriate objectives and targets.

The network was also recognised for its forward-thinking approach to implementing environmental management systems, pollution prevention, using alternative energy resources where possible, promoting biodiversity and taking environmental considerations into account during investment decisions.

John Rothery added: “This is another key achievement for the network and further demonstrates how we are continuing to lead the way in the express freight distribution industry.

“We are fully committed to measuring and improving our environmental performance. Our long-term aim now is to enhance the sustainability of the network and that of our members, suppliers, customers and the wider community.”

Press release: Friday 1st January, 2010

                         

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE-based member H Beardsley is celebrating 55 years as one of the East Midlands’ premier haulage companies.

Formed as a family-run business in 1954, H Beardsley has a long and established reputation which has seen it build up a quality customer base including some world-famous names like Rolls Royce, British Sugar Corporation and Reckitt & Coleman.

Managing Director, James MacLachlan, whose father Robert became Chairman of the company when it was formed, said: “This is a major milestone for the company.

“Horace Beardsley set the foundations by establishing Cobden Transport in 1934 with just two Leyland Beaver trucks and H Beardsley was born twenty years later.

Reaching 55 years is a testament to the strength of the business and we are looking forward to many more successful years.”

Operating from a 42,000 sq ft site at junction 28 of the M1 motorway, H Beardsley has flourished over the past 55 years and shows no signs of slowing down.

The company has recently landed a major contract with Findel Education Ltd – the largest dedicated supplier of educational products in Europe – and is moving to a new five-bay garage facility in January with further plans to increase its warehouse space up to 90,000 sq ft by the end of 2010.

Add to that a multi purpose fleet of 20 vehicles – ranging from 44-tonne articulated vehicles
to 17-tonne rigid vehicles – and the company can distribute as many as 700 pallets per day.

Congratulations to H Beardsley for reaching 55 years from everyone at Palletforce

Press Release: Friday 1st January, 2010

PALLETFORCE has become the driving force behind one of Britain’s most talented young rally drivers.

The network has gone ‘full throttle’ in its support of Scottish rally ace John MacCrone after announcing itself as the 20-year-old’s main sponsor for the 2010 season – as John aims to continue his rise to stardom.

Described as “one of the hottest talents in years” John’s pedigree as a rally car driver was
underlined earlier this year when he was awarded a coveted place at the Motor Sports Association British Rally Academy.

Aimed at finding the next world champion, John has shone since joining the academy.

Dave Holland, sales and marketing director at Palletforce, said: “John is on the road to great
things, as is Palletforce, and we want to be a part of his bright future in motor sports. The coming years are going to be exciting for both John and Palletforce so it is a perfect partnership.

“John’s talent has been evident from a young age and we are confident that, with the backing and support of Palletforce, he can become one of the sport's leading lights.”

Hailing from the small and isolated Isle of Mull, off the west coast of Scotland, John developed a burning passion for rally driving after years of growing up watching the island's iconic Tour of Mull.

Known as ‘the best rally in the world’, exhilarating scenes of mud-splattered, tyre squealing cars rallying through his village are among John’s earliest memories – and have held him captive ever since.

In 2004 the Bear Cubs rally team was formed to involve the village’s youngsters. Most of them were too young to compete or simply could not afford to take part.

Their ambition was to build their own car to compete in the 2005 Tour of Mull.

Then John was just 15, and he spent every spare moment in the garage. The Cubs wrote to anyone they could think of and had soon collected enough sponsorship money, spare parts and helping hands to make their dream of building a rally car reality.

Over the next year the car was built from scratch from a written off Vauxhall Corsa. The Cubs entered the 2005 Tour of Mull with John’s cousin Heather as driver and John as navigator. They finished the trophy section and won the Spirit of the Rally award.

For John there was no looking back, the following year John and Heather rallied again and finished third in class in the Mull Forest Stages and won the Richie Pearl Spirit of the Rally award in the North West stages.

In 2007, aged 18, John got his first drive and won Best Entertainer award on the Mull Forest
stages.

In 2008 John left The Cubs and entered the Tour in his own right. He finished 13th overall in a 1600cc Peugeot 205 picking up Best Entertainer and Best Mull Crew along the way – but more importantly he was spotted by the Motor Sports Association.

As part of the Academy’s training programme, John now receives advice and training on a wide range of subjects from physical fitness and nutrition to dealing with the media and sports psychology.

With Palletforce’s backing the emerging talent will now be able to take his career to the next
level and compete in the exciting Fiesta SportTrophy.