Pall-Ex is built on a national network of SME hauliers who believe in keeping Britain on the move by working together and winning together. Reliant on the supply chain for essential goods, such as the delivery of food, medicine, goods and services to keep the country operational, Pall-Ex is working hard to continue to deliver a quality palletised freight distribution service throughout the UK and Europe. We are currently in challenging and unprecedented times and we understand the difficulties many people are facing. At present, the team at Pall-Ex are at the hub and are continuing to keep all consignments moving, to ensure businesses and end-customers can receive their goods. At Pall-Ex we want to collaborate, help and support as many businesses as possible with their transport requirements. We have robust plans in place to support a variety of businesses and are taking advice from all major health and safety organisations to continue to improve our policies and staff safety.
The importance of the logistics sector
The importance of the logistics sector is huge to the UK economy. A sector in its own right providing thousands of jobs, logistics companies are also critically important in ensuring the success of other businesses.
This ranges across every sector, from medical supplies to stocking the shelves at supermarkets and retail stores, to manufacturing or energy companies.
Kevin Buchanan, Group CEO at Leicester-based Pall-Ex, says: “The logistics sector is key to keeping Britain moving at this challenging time and our teams across the pallet network sector are working together around the clock to deliver the supplies that our hospitals and businesses desperately need.
“Uniquely, we are able to cover the whole of the UK and our collective members are all experienced in working collaboratively and efficiently to meet the ongoing needs of organisations and the public.
“Safety remains paramount for our team and our customers and we are following all recommendations to limit contact and maintain safe distances during deliveries.
"Pall-Ex is proud of the dedication logistics workers have shown both here at our hub in Leicestershire and nationally, and the vital role our teams are playing in keeping the UK’s supply chain moving."
Keeping the supply chain moving by working together and winning together
The UK’s eight pallet networks, which includes Pall-Ex, have joined together to offer their services for the movement of emergency supplies for critical services.
The UK’s pallet networks are uniquely placed to ensure a timely and reliable supply of emergency goods to anywhere in the UK. Between them, they have 30,000 employees, over 750 depots, a fleet of 23,500 vehicles and offer 100% coverage by postcode.
Statement from the Association of Pallet Networks (APN)
APN Chairman Paul Sanders says: “We are uniquely placed to offer our services to ensure that emergency supplies coming from anywhere and destined for any corner of the UK, can be delivered quickly, safely and reliably to support critical services, whether in rural or urban settings.
“We would urge the government to take advantage of our unique skills set and infrastructure at this time of national crisis.”
“The supply of emergency supplies for critical operations – not least ensuring food in our supermarkets and well-stocked pharmacies and hospitals – is one of the most important aspects of protecting the UK public during this crisis.”
What can be done to help the logistics sector?
At Pall-Ex, we have put a range of company procedures in place, to keep our hub and office environment as safe as possible.
We are also accepting non-contact delivery options during this time, to further support the health and safety of the drivers who are continuing to deliver to thousands of businesses.
However, on a national scale, the following help could be instrumental in ensuring all hauliers are supported across the UK:
Fuel duty derogation
HGVs deliver over 90% of UK freight, lifting 1.41 bn tonnes in 2018 and moving 152bn tonne-kilometres. Using different modes such as trains accounts for only a small percentage of freight, and all freight requires final mile deliveries by HGVs.
Sanders says: “The majority of UK haulage operations are small or SME businesses. Their business model is very vulnerable to cash flow issues and their fuel bills usually account for between 30 and 40% of operating costs.
“A derogation on fuel duty could make a huge difference to business continuity and in minimising the number of losses from our sector,” he adds.
Follow us on social media or contact the team for more help and advice
If you’d like to keep up to date during this period of time, we will be posting all of our announcements on our social media channels, at Pall-Ex Group on LinkedIn and @PallExGroup on Twitter.
You can also contact the team, by filling in the form on the contact page, or by calling us on 01530 239 000.
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