Press release:  Tuesday, 17th August, 2010

ONE of the logistics trade’s dynamic leaders has been recognised by the whole of the industry.

Michael Conroy, Chief Executive Officer of Palletforce PLC, has been awarded a prestigious fellowship from The Chartered Institute of Logistics.
  
He was appointed CEO at Palletforce, the UK’s leading palletised distribution network, two years ago and has overseen the major growth and development of the network. Despite a crippling recession Palletforce has grown and developed rapidly, including the opening of one of Europe’s largest distribution hubs to the tune of £30million in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire.

Throughout this expansion period Michael has been at the forefront, leading with the inspiration and energy he has built up a reputation for.

“I am very proud to receive this fellowship,” said Michael. “This honour will reinforce Palletforce and the network’s reputation for excellence and commitment to the highest standards.

“I will continue to strive for innovation across the network to ensure Palletforce is a driving force for the future. ”To be a chartered fellow of the CILT (UK) you need to have at least seven years experience in a high responsibility position in the management of logistics and transport.

Michael more than fits the bill after spending the last two decades at the heart of commercial success stories for some of the world’s leading logistics and transport companies – having worked in leadership roles with TNT, UPS and Parceline.

One of his greatest achievements was being part of a successful management buy-out team that turned overnight parcels firm ANC Group from making a loss of £14million to making a £9million profit in just five years.

In 2006 the healthy business was sold to FedEx for £120million, and Michael remained as Managing Director of FedEx SCS.

Since coming to Palletforce in 2008 Michael has encouraged the company to strive for excellence, gaining three international quality standards ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 and a coveted RoSPA Gold Award from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

He has acted boldly to keep the company at the heart of technology and innovations which have improved health and safety and efficiency – covering everything from unique forklift truck scanning systems to specialist double deck trailer designs.

Kevin Shoemake from The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, said: “As the chartered body for all logistics and transport professionals, we are delighted that Michael has met the criteria to become a Chartered Fellow which is the institute's most eminent membership grade and the benchmark of professional excellence within the sector.”

Press release; Tuesday, 3rd August,  2010

LOGISTICS firm Archbold has expanded their coverage area of the Palletforce network.

Archbold Logistics Ltd already covers parts of the M postcode area for Palletforce, the UK’s leading palletised distribution network.

Operating out of their Nuneaton Logistics centre, the firm has further cemented their commitment to the network by taking on parts of the CV postcode as well,  which are  CV 8,10,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,47

Xavier Archbold, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to add this additional postcode to our existing Palletforce coverage. “This further enhances our reputation as a forward moving company with a commitment to efficiency.

We will continue to work to our traditional values of flexibility, good service and value for money.”

Archbold Logistics Ltd started as a family-owned transport business in 1918 and they now operate a fleet of more than 150 vehicles from distribution centres throughout the UK.

Michael Conroy, Chief Executive Officer for Palletforce, said: “We are very pleased that Archbold’s existing coverage will expand to include part of the CV postcode area.  “I am sure they will continue to deliver the excellent service they have already brought to the Palletforce network.”

Press release;  Friday, July  23rd, 2010

Gerry Jones, from Newport, south Wales, asked MAN Trucks if they could provide a vehicle to tow a mobile cancer support treatment unit that had been bought through fund-raising by the Welsh cancer charity, Tenovus.

                                   

Thanks to Gerry’s intervention, MAN, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles, agreed to let Tenovus use a vehicle on permanent loan, enabling the unit to provide treatment to cancer sufferers throughout the region.

The £300,000 unit, which can treat an average of 15 people a day, five days a week, has so far helped 1,000 patients since it has been on the road and in May Tenovus celebrated the first anniversary of its use with a visit from its patron, the Princess Royal.

Gerry, who has run Gerry Jones Transport for the past 25 years and is a Palletforce shareholder member, said: “I approached MAN for their help and they loaned us a second-hand truck. I then put new tyres on it and had the vehicle serviced, repaired and refurbished.”

Gerry, whose mother died of cancer, added: “Years ago, my dad was a Tenovus agent and I wanted to give something back to the charity after mum died.

“Getting the truck to pull the mobile unit means patients don’t have to travel long distances to go to hospital. They can have their treatment in surroundings nearer their home.”

Tenovus offers support, advice and treatment for cancer patients and their families in the heart of the community.

It also carries out vital cancer research and Tenovus-funded scientists were the first to develop the use of Tamoxifen, now the world's most successful breast cancer drug.

News release;  Thursday, June 24th 2010 

IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
Members headed to the capital to play their part in a celebration to recognise the winners and achievements from the 87 member depots. The event, which took the theme of ‘South African Dream’ in a nod to the world cup, recognised the ethos of team work and success.

Over 300 people from member depots across the UK attended the event at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, London, on Saturday, June 19.

Networkers of the Year

Sales & Marketing Award - Evans Transport

Members Service Committe Award - Alan Firmin Ltd

New Member Award - Stones Distribution

Special Recognition Award - Leonard Bassett, RG Bassett & Sons

Members Depot of the Year - Joint winers, Chambers & Cook Freight & Online Roadways

Palletforce Depot of the Year, The Robert Bedford Award - Joint Winners, Baynes & Son Haulage & Edwin C Farrall Transport

Press Release:  Friday, June 11th, 2010 

ONE of Hereford’s most respected transport companies has announced a partnership with the highly successful Palletforce network. Mike Brookes Transport became a shareholder member of the award-winning network on June 1 in what is a major step forward for the family-run company.

The partnership means that Mike Brookes Transport becomes a member of the UK’s leading palletised distribution network – which has the biggest and most modern facilities available, including a £30million Distribution Hub recently opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

Allison Brookes, office manager for Mike Brookes Transport, said: “This is great news for our company and customers as we can offer a much wider range of services – while still holding true to delivering a quality service. “This announcement has also allowed us to create additional jobs, which are important for the area and help us contribute to the local economy.”

Only the country’s best transport companies are invited to join the Palletforce network and the move underlines Mike Brookes Transport’s reputation as a quality player in goods delivery.

The company, based at Thorn Business Park in Hereford, already offers a comprehensive distribution service, with a fleet of 28 trucks including specialist crane lorries suitable for transporting large, bulky items such as storage containers.

Becoming a member of Palletforce also allows the company to give a high quality service on flexible smaller loads transported by pallet.

The Palletforce pallet network is simple: a number of highly-respected transport companies work together – in a sort of delivery ‘swap shop’. By working together using a central Hub, each freight company member can deliver their goods ‘half way’ to the Hub – and then pick up goods from other hauliers for returning back to base. Working smarter in this way cuts down on the number of trucks returning to their bases with ‘empty loads’. It also reduces unnecessary journey times and fuel costs, and is a greener, more efficient way of working.

Allison Brookes added: “By joining Palletforce, we are combining forces with nearly 100 of the UK’s top transport firms – and this allows us to take our service to an even higher level. “We can now attract even more customers with more complex transport needs, including delivery across the UK, Ireland and Europe.”

Michael Conroy, CEO of Palletforce, said: “We are looking forward to working with Mike Brookes Transport as a valued Palletforce member. “Our ethos is to ‘work with the best’ and Mike Brookes Transport is a perfect fit within our network. They bring many years of experience.”