PALLETFORCE

PALLETFORCE member Knights Of Old has been named the Business of the Year at an awards ceremony celebrating the best companies in Northamptonshire.

The 120-year-old company which employs 450 people received the highest accolade at the county’s Business Excellence Awards.

Among the reasons Knights Of Old was selected as the winner were its work to ‘future proof’ the firm by merging with Mainland Group in 2011 and its efforts to combat emissions.

As well as being a member of Palletforce, a network of transport companies working together to cut the number of unnecessary journeys being made by lorries, Knights Of Old also uses the latest technology and regular staff training to ensure its carbon footprint is as small as possible.

The firm has also invested in seven longer ‘super trailers’ as part of a government trial to reduce lorry miles and cut air pollution.

Its focus on staff development – last year the company invested more than £600,000 on training – and supporting the local community, by holding charity fundraisers and providing drivers for carnivals, also helped them to win the award.

THE new generation of logistics professionals is being nurtured at an academy set up by the UK's leading palletised distribution network.

Palletforce has just welcomed its new intake to its Apprenticeship Training Academy where they will learn not only practical skills, but also gain a Fork Lift Truck driving licence and an NVQ in warehousing.

As the new wave of trainees join the academy, two apprentices have just graduated and are now working full-time as night shift fork lift truck drivers at Palletforce's 400,000 sq ft Hub in Burton-upon-Trent.

Jamie Davies, 18, joined the academy after deciding college wasn't for him and now has not only an NVQ and FLT licence but also a qualification in first aid.

"I really enjoy the work because it is always busy and I am still learning new skills all the time," said Jamie, from Newhall.

DURING its lifetime Palletforce member Owens Road Services has grown from a one van light haulage operation into a major UK player running more than 200 vehicles from six strategic locations.

Brothers Huw and Eurof Owen set up the original business in Llanelli in the early seventies carrying furniture, kitchens and piano parts.

In 2012 the company, known by its more familiar name, Owens Road Services Ltd, is proud to be celebrating its 40^th anniversary.

Over the decades Owens has grown steadily, joining Palletforce in 2001 while its traditional customer base of steel/automotive and construction has been supplemented with a move into warehousing and distribution incorporating supermarket and FMCG market sectors.

“Being part of Palletforce complements our general haulage expertise and allows us to offer a more comprehensive, flexible service to our customers,” said Huw Owen, Managing Director.

“The strength, quality and national coverage of fellow members in the Palletforce network has a positive effect on our business by enhancing our own brand.”