In order to protect pallet network staff and customers, the Association of Pallet Networks is recommending contactless deliveries and a suspension of COP services.
20 March 2020, Birmingham, UK: The Association of Pallet Networks, after extensive consultation with its eight-member companies, is recommending an immediate and complete suspension of any contact between driver and customer in order to minimise the risk of CORVID 19 infection. The pallet networks are now taking names and, where appropriate pictures, of those receiving pallets. Drivers will not ask customers to sign on ePOD devices and will not require the customer to come within two metres of them.
The networks have also suspended ‘customers’ own paperwork’ or COP services. Instead, any customer who wishes to send paperwork is asked to enclose it in the documents pouch on the front of the pallet. The APN hopes that these measures will help to protect both staff and customers from the possibilities of infection, will allow appropriate social distancing for drivers, and will reassure customers that their well being is paramount in all pallet network operations. “It is incumbent upon us all to take all necessary and sensible precautions to ensure that we protect one another, and in particular the most vulnerable in our society, from this virus for the foreseeable future,” says APN chairman Paul Sanders. The APN will keep the marketplace informed of any other operational changes which may occur in the future.
The APN represents the eight major networks in the UK including TPN – THE Pallet Network, Palletline Palletways, Palletforce, UPN, Fortec, Pallet-Track and Pall-Ex. These eight networks have recently forged an unprecedented alliance to offer the government a unique skill set and extensive infrastructure for the delivery of essential supplies during the CORVID 19 crisis.
About the APN
The Association of Pallet Networks represents the UK’s eight pallet networks which between them comprise 30,000 employees, 23,500 vehicles and 750 depots throughout the country. APN members distributed over 26 million pallets of supplies throughout the UK in 2019 and offer 100% coverage by postcode. APN also oversees the promulgation of health and safety advice, lobbies government on behalf of the sector, and enables the networks to benchmark their performance, efficiency and safety. For more information call APN chairman Paul Sanders on 01543 420120 | 07831 480048 or e-mail chairman@theapn.co.uk
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