TPN protects drivers and Hub teams with reusable face visors from NHS supplier

TPN has worked with specialist manufacturer Luminati to source reusable, full-face visors for its Hub-based keyworkers and Member teams.

The visors will help to protect drivers and other workers from possible Covid-19 infection. They will be used alongside the other recommended Covid-19 PPE, and standard transport safety clothing, such as hi-vis jackets. The visors can be cleaned with anti-bacterial products or soap and water.

Luminati, which normally specialises in more corporate merchandise such as creative retail cases, cabinets, frames and lecterns, was approached by the NHS to design and manufacture visors to counter the current shortfall.

“We are producing 15,000 of these for the NHS at a rate of 3,000 per day,” says sales manager Gayle Davie. “We are also creating new products, such as a sealed visor unit, which will be available at the end of next week.”

TPN has taken an initial order of 800 visors which will be dispersed between Hub teams and Member depots. TPN Member Plymouth-based HT Gardner collected them free of charge on behalf of the whole network.

TPN Members can orders the visors on the TPN Shop, a shared resource space. So far, says TPN network developer Kerry Rayner, the orders are coming in rapidly.

“We have been doing all we can to keep our staff and Member teams safe, particularly drivers who must work in public spaces,” she says. “These visors are an important addition to the PPE we can offer them.

“We’d like to thank Luminati for their quick response to our enquiry,” says Kerry. “We’re also grateful to Kevin Gardner and the HT Gardner team, for reminding us once again what #OneTeamTPN means in practice.”

The post TPN protects drivers and Hub teams with reusable face visors from NHS supplier appeared first on The Pallet Network.

McDowells and Fox’s Biscuits help NHS morale happy with free goodies

TPN Member Keighley-based RH McDowell Haulage and Distribution delivered 14 pallets of chocolate biscuits, donated by its client Fox’s Biscuits, to NHS workers free of charge.

Fox’s, a regular client of McDowells, wanted to gift 65 cases of Rocky Bars and 88 cases of party mix biscuits to Leicester hospitals. That’s a total of 26,000 individual treats.

McDowell’s commercial manager Craig Thorpe says: “We were only too happy to deliver these. Biscuits may not be life-saving but they can do a huge amount for morale.

“We routinely move between five and 10 loads a day for Fox’s from two of their sites in Wakefield and Ripley, Derbyshire.

“We are not sure how the biscuits will be distributed within the NHS but they were certainly received with enthusiasm,” he adds.

McDowells is a leading logistics provider in West Yorkshire, offering contract logistics, general haulage, warehousing and palletised freight distribution, as well as bespoke services.

The post McDowells and Fox’s Biscuits help NHS morale happy with free goodies appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Customer praises TPN Member Direct Express Logistics for vital help

TPN member Direct Express Logistics Nottingham has received a wonderful letter from a customer, praising their team for ensuring vital deliveries necessary to build life-saving ventilators.  

The manufacturing customer says: “Please could you share this message with your teams, especially those drivers and depot staff who continue to come to work each day.

“What you are doing is literally life-saving. You’ve made it possible for us to continue supplying companies manufacturing parts for vital pieces of equipment.

“Due to the critical situation with Covid-19, the market is completely screaming out for life-supporting ventilators. People are dying, and ventilators are needed to treat and save those people in a critical condition. We are supplying companies manufacturing parts for these vital pieces of equipment.

“Right now, our priority is to support the public health and do our part to save lives. Your delivery network is helping distribute our materials for the manufacture of those life-supporting ventilators, you are part of the world- wide action in fighting this pandemic.”

Direct Express Logistics says that it is extremely proud of its drivers, transport and warehouse teams, which like those of all other TPN Members have continued in their role as key-workers, to ensure that emergency and essential goods reach their destinations.

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We can’t praise these teams enough. They face each day with determination and selfless professionalism. We have as many safety protocols in place for them as we can, but that doesn’t take away from their bravery and dedication.”

The importance of the logistics industry has often been overlooked by the British public, who typically have little direct contact with it except for passing an HGV on the road. However, with the current focus on essential medical  supplies, rapidly-depleted supermarket shelves and life-saving manufacturing, the vital work of logistics managers and HGV drivers has been thrown into sharp relief.  

Mark Duggan says:  “We are proud to be helping to keep the British public and our NHS supplied with what they need.”

The post Customer praises TPN Member Direct Express Logistics for vital help appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Birmingham Hampson Haulage chooses TPN based on recommendations

In TPN’s fifth signing of 2020, new to networks logistics specialist Hampson chooses the network on the basis of haulier recommendations.

TPN – THE Pallet Network has signed another excellent regional haulier, Hampson Haulage, and continued its extraordinary success at attracting first-rate, new-to-network companies.

Birmingham-based Hampson Haulage is very well established as a ‘bespoke’ general haulier, offering Hiab, flatbed and curtainsided vehicles for a wide range of dedicated loads. Its management recently decided to include palletised freight distribution in its offering in order to give customers a more complete service.

“Diversifying into pallet network business allows us to offer something new, yet complementary to our existing clients,” says director Paul Hampson. “We can now offer a cost-effective service for small consignments and part-loads as well as the dedicated haulage we’re known for.”

Hampson says that the choice of network was not hard, because various hauliers recommended TPN. “I am on the Road Haulage Association (RHA) regional committee and various hauliers I met through the RHA said that TPN was a good network and would do well for our company.

“Finding a network you can trust with your goods is hard because your customers are depending upon the other Members’ performance,” he says. “We have built a strong reputation for quality of service, so it was important to me that other hauliers could vouch for TPN’s high service standards.”

Although Hampson officially becomes a full TPN Member on 9 March 2020, the team has worked with the network under a service level agreement this year, to give them a chance to assess the network from the inside and ensure it is all they could expect.

Hampson says his three tenets of business are excellence, only using trusted partners and drivers, and effective, timely communication – and he felt that TPN meets these standards.

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We are delighted to have Hampson Haulage on board and even more so that our own Members are recommending us to friends and colleagues in the industry.

“Our Members work with the Hub and each other every day, and they are the ultimate judge of whether we serve their customers and their businesses. Their recommendation means the world to us.”

TPN is celebrating its 20^th year of trading in 2020, and Duggan says the network has never been stronger. “We had an exceptional year in 2019 and we are already surpassing those standards, operationally and in terms of recruitment.

“We have a very strong pipeline of interest from potential Members, mainly because joining TPN doesn’t require a leap of faith. It’s good business sense because we have a sound business plan based on helping our Members to succeed and delivering excellence to their customers.”

Any hauliers who would like to know more about TPN Membership can contact network development manager Mark Barlow mark.barlow@tpnmail.co.uk in complete confidence.

The post Birmingham Hampson Haulage chooses TPN based on recommendations appeared first on The Pallet Network.

From zero to hero: The story of TPN told by Phil Kenyon who was instrumental in it all

Phil Kenyon was an inaugural member of the THE Pallet Network team. As TPN celebrates its 20^th birthday, Phil tells us the story of its creation and his immense pride at the first-rate network it has become.

TPN – THE Pallet Network was born in discussions between Richard Eldred, owner of TGS Freight, Jim Scanlan, then at the Fortec network, and Phil Kenyon, Eldred’s depot manager. They had a vision for a new, better network – but getting it off the ground wasn’t easy. Phil has worked at TPN ever since it first opened its doors and he remembers those early days with affection and an inordinate sense of pride at the network’s accomplishments.

Today TPN is the largest network by Member volume, has sector-leading IT and service levels, and is the current holder of the FTA/Multimodal Pallet Network of the Year title.

“The challenge in any successful start-up is to keep that initial culture of friendship, passion and the family feel of the organisation as it grows,” says Phil. “I feel a massive sense of achievement when I look at TPN today. We never imagined back in those days how large and successful the network would be, but I’m very pleased we have kept that culture of friendship, collaboration and family.”

Once he had conceived the idea for TPN, Scanlan parted company with Fortec but had golden handcuffs for four months, which temporarily prevented any further development. “I remember we had an old metal fire escape into the office, and it was a wet and blustery day,” says Phil. “Suddenly Jim bursts through the fire escape door, soaked and grinning. ‘I’m back,’ he said.”

It took two years from those initial scribblings on Phil’s deskpad to opening the doors on the first Hub. “It was an old aircraft hangar in Doncaster. One of the corrugated dome-shaped ones, full of potatoes. We heaved the potatoes out and we moved in.”

It wasn’t plain sailing. “Once we opened the doors everything went bad very quickly. We had beer money but wanted champagne systems. You could always tell a bad day with the banks when the financial director’s cigar would crumble to ash in a single inhalation.

“But we survived that first year. Jim was a great man – he could sell you stuff you already owned and you wouldn’t know it.”

Phil initially split his time between his ‘proper’ job as depot manager at TGS and setting up the IT systems for the new network. “It quickly became apparent that I couldn’t do both so I moved to TPN permanently. And I’ve been here ever since,” he says.

“We worked 20-hour days back then, doing every job that needed doing. I credit TPN with the loss of all my hair.”

TPN survived and became a solid mid-ranked network in a sector which was furiously signing up regional hauliers and dealing with double-digit growth.

But it became THE Pallet Network when former depot principal Mark Duggan took over in 2015. A comprehensive review of standards, protocols and infrastructure followed with an even better Membership proposition and a vision for transforming the business model. In the past five years TPN has surged to the front of the UK pallet network sector.

“I am still hardware manager at TPN,” says Phil. “In my head I know it’s no longer my company but, in my heart, it will always be my baby. I take great pride in seeing the first-class operation it is today.”

Phil still has strong relationships with the early Members, many of whom were celebrated recently at the largest ever Member Meeting at Villa Park. “I no longer take front line calls from Members but I’m still in touch with them all. They are long-standing friends. We achieved this together and those relationships will always be there.”

“I have never been someone who enjoys centre stage,” says Phil. “I sit in the background like a goalkeeper. But I’ve helped and guided and trained and, at one time or another, I’ve done every job in the business. I’ve helped move this company five or six times since that first aircraft hangar.”

“This network is wonderful,” says Phil. “I’m very lucky to have had such a rewarding and fulfilling career.”

TPN MD Mark Duggan says the network has also been very lucky to have Phil. “Phil has been a fixture of TPN throughout its life and he has been a huge asset to the network. It’s wonderful to still have a member of staff, as well as many depots, who lived all of TPN’s history and still care so much about its success.”

The post From zero to hero: The story of TPN told by Phil Kenyon who was instrumental in it all appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Time is on our side, says TPN as another great Member signs in 2020

Tamworth-based Multimodal specialist says the time is right to join TPN,
after years of working with its Members.

Minworth, UK: TPN – THE Pallet Network — has signed Tamworth-based Time Logistics, which starts as a full Member on 2 March.

The Midlands-based freight-forwarder and haulier has grown rapidly since its inception in 2014, and now boasts 80 vehicles, 130 employees and a wide array of air and sea freight customers.

Time MD Jason Palmer says: “We’ve never belonged to a network before but we have worked closely with key TPN Members for a long time, so we are very familiar with its systems and service levels.

“We know that the network performs very well and we are already embedded in terms of technology and protocols,” he says.

Time Logistics already has a substantial palletised freight business, as well as 52,000 square feet of warehousing. Its specialist services include contract logistics, pick and pack, and container management. It also operates as an Amazon fulfilment centre.

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “It’s great that Time Logistics, having seen TPN’s operation in practice for an extended period, has decided to move from customer to Member. It’s a testament to the performance of the network.”

TPN had an extremely strong year in 2019, and its already sector-leading service levels climbed even further with 22% of the network achieving 99%+ KPIs for every day of their 2019 operation.

“This is the year of our 20^th anniversary and we have never had better Members, or a stronger operational performance,” says Duggan. “TPN has evolved significantly in the past five years and we will continue to set standards for the entire sector in the five years to come.”

Other recent signings to the network include Hambridge Transport, Big G Logistics and Toogood International. Like many of the 2019 signings, such as RT Page and Sons, these companies are well established logistics specialists looking to diversify their domestic services, and have excellent operations. New members have stated that the TPN onboarding process is excellent.

The post Time is on our side, says TPN as another great Member signs in 2020 appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Customer service coordinator vacancy, Minworth

We need another customer service coordinator, with great people skills, organisation and communication and account management skills. TPN is the UK’s leading pallet network, based at Minworth, Sutton Coldfield – and excellent service is at the heart of what we do.

In this role, you’ll investigate and resolve escalated queries from our customers, produce and monitor KPI reports, and be a central point for Member communication. You’ll look after our new Members and be responsible for account management. You’ll also co-ordinate our annual events.

The role is pivotal to all departments, collating and providing information to various areas, so you will need to have excellent attention to detail and the confidence to work with colleagues at all levels.

Having some experience of the logistics industry would be an advantage, but is not essential.

Hours of work are 45 per week Monday to Friday. 

Contact Lynn Statham on 0121 313 4016 or email your CV to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk

The post Customer service coordinator vacancy, Minworth appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Notts-based NEP invests in electric forklifts – for cleaner, quieter, cheaper operation

Nationwide Express Pallets (NEP) has invested in six Toyota Traigo 48-20 electric forklifts, which are deployed across its Glossop and Nottingham TPN depots. Depot manager Chris Flynn says the electric FLTs cause far less dust and noise, are more environmentally friendly and are cheaper to run than diesel equivalents. They are very comfortable for drivers and they also have integral weighing to ensure that all pallets are correctly manifested and loads are safe.

The post Notts-based NEP invests in electric forklifts – for cleaner, quieter, cheaper operation appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Smart new uniforms and branding for Castleford-based Roy Fox Transport

Castleford-based Roy Fox Transport, part of the Kenneth Howley Transport, is rebranding its operation in 2019, starting with new uniforms for all of its TPN collection and delivery drivers. Driver uniforms are important within TPN, as the driver is the public face, not only of the network, but of its customers.

The post Smart new uniforms and branding for Castleford-based Roy Fox Transport appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN standards keep rising as number of ‘elite’ performers grows by 300%

TPN – THE Pallet Network — saw operational excellence soar during 2019, with the number of Member companies achieving elite performance levels growing by 300%.

At the TPN Annual Awards in April 2019, eight member companies were applauded for achieving KPI scores of 99%+ across every criteria throughout the entire year. In 2020, the network has 24 such companies. This equates to 22% or more than one in five TPN Members achieving almost perfect service levels day in, day out.

“In order to achieve 99% KPIs across the board for a full 12 months, a Member’s operation has to be virtually flawless,” says TPN MD Mark Duggan. “It is a monumental feat of logistics excellence. For 24 of our Members to have scored so highly across the past 12 months is a testament to the professionalism of the network, the dedication of those depots and TPN’s collaborative ethos.”

TPN is renowned for having the highest service levels in the sector. Although 22% of the network scores above 99%, the network as a whole is less than one percentage point behind them.

“There isn’t a network in the UK which can match us for customer satisfaction or service levels,” says Duggan. “That’s why we won the FTA/Multimodal Pallet Network of the Year 2019 award, as voted for by freight customers.”

The companies which received Elite Performance Certificates and recognition at TPN’s regional meetings at Villa Park on 5 February are:

2MV Logistics | B&T Hicks Transport | Bacton Transport Services | Beacon Roadways | Burcombe Haulage | CK Transport | Direct Express Logistics (Nottingham) | Eezehaul | FS Distribution | Ferryman | GPT Logistics | Hi-Speed Services | Ken Mallinson & Sons Transport | Leeds Parcel Company | Malco Freight | MXL Logistics | Oxford Carriers | Poole Bay Warehousing | RT Page & Sons | Reeds Central | Reid Freight Services | Rogers UK Transport | Starlings Transport & Storage | TPN Teesside

The elite performers also include some relative newcomers to the network. These Members will have effectively achieved 99%+ on every KPI since going live, which Duggan says is testament to the painstaking onboarding process TPN offers.

“We spent a lot of time supporting new Members both before and after their operation goes live. We offer training, and support with every aspect of the operations from sales to delivery. This unstinting support pays off because those Members have excellence as a starting point.”

The post TPN standards keep rising as number of ‘elite’ performers grows by 300% appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Biggest TPN Member Meeting ever at Villa Park, celebrating 20 years of excellence

TPN – THE Pallet Network – hosted almost its entire Membership at the Aston Villa stadium to celebrate elite performance and 20 years of excellence. MD tells network to continue to ‘innovate, not imitate’.

Minworth, UK, 7 February 2020 | TPN – THE Pallet Network — has hosted almost its entire network at Villa Park stadium for its largest ever Member Meeting. Of TPN’s 100+ companies, 97 sent a total of 155 delegates to hear the network’s plans for 2020.

The meeting also celebrated Members’ elite performance and long-service status. 60% of the network has held TPN Membership for more than 10 years, and many Members have been with the network since its founding in 2000.

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “The network has started the new decade in a great position, with a strong, stable and increasing membership base and customers who appreciate that we always put their needs first.”

The Villa Park meeting also celebrated one-fifth of the TPN network achieving elite performance levels, scoring 99+% on every KPI measure for every day of their 2019 operation.

Duggan says: “This is a fabulous, almost unbelievable, level of operation. Today was a real celebration of the Members’ successes.

“This is a difficult network in which to be outstanding because every Member scores in the high 90s for customer service KPIs. For such a large number of our depots to have virtually flawless operations is a huge accomplishment,” says Duggan. “This wasn’t achieved overnight, but is the result of years of collective ambition and dedication.   Our combined strategy is working.”

“It’s a testament to the strength of our network that so many of our Members wanted to come and participate in our workshop sessions.”

Duggan says the network’s success is due to its ethos of collaboration and its collective vision. “We believe in ‘the power of one’” he says. “No single member or indeed the Hub is more important than another. Our strength and our successes are all based on collaboration and mutual support.”

He says that although the UK economy has faced some uncertainty, for TPN it is business as usual. “TPN had a very strong year in 2019.   We are still the largest network by Member volume, the best network in terms of UK postcode coverage, and we are undoubtedly the best in terms of service levels.

“We tend not to be distracted by the marketing chatter around us. Our mission is to provide the most beneficial pallet network membership package – bar none. That means we must continue, as we have for the past four years, to innovate and not imitate.”

“In 2019 we grew our market share in an unpredictable marketplace. We’ve also proven that there are excellent logistics companies which are keen and very well equipped to join the pallet network sector – and they are choosing TPN.”

Recent signings to the network include Hambridge Transport, Big G Logistics and Toogood International. Like many of the 2019 signings, such as RT Page and Sons, these companies are well established logistics specialists looking to diversify their domestic services, and have excellent operations. New members have stated that the TPN onboarding process is excellent.

Members also welcomed the executive chairman of Eddie Stobart Logistics, William Stobart, who gave an informative and very well received address. He restated Eddie Stobart Logistics’ complete commitment to the network.

“TPN has always sold on and delivered excellence and we’ll continue to do so,” says Duggan. “The plans we shared with our network today focus, as always, on them – what their businesses need specific to the economic cycle, what their customers require and what will be required in the future.”

The post Biggest TPN Member Meeting ever at Villa Park, celebrating 20 years of excellence appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN Teesside driver ‘living the dream’

A 23 year old HGV driver has realised his dream of acquiring his Class 1 licence and securing permanent work with TPN Teesside.

Samrat Ricci had funded his Class 2 licence and been working for an agency, but was unsure how to find his dream job of permanent work with a logistics company. He contacted TPN Teesside depot manager Mathew Bruce to ask for advice.

Mat recognised Samrat’s passion and determination. However, new drivers often experience the ‘chicken and egg’ paradox that it is hard to win a permanent position without experience and impossible to accrue the relevant experience without a permanent position.  

Mat’s solution was to offer Samrat work experience at TPN Teesside while he worked on gaining his Class 1 licence. Samrat shadowed drivers, and learned about the daily activity of a logistics operation.  

Mat says: “Watching Samrat’s development and passion to achieve his goals has been refreshing and encouraging.”

Samrat passed his test and drove as a fully qualified artic driver for the first time last week. “It’s my first day in a big boy’s truck,” he says. “I’m living my dream.’

The logistics industry has both a driver shortage and a profound need for young drivers to join the sector.  

 

The post TPN Teesside driver ‘living the dream’ appeared first on The Pallet Network.

John Pearce Glynneath says 15 years with TPN has transformed its business

Neath-based haulier John Pearce Glynneath reflected on its 15 transformative years with TPN as the company reviewed its strategy in the light of 46 years of trading.

The John Pearce operation has progressed from 20 pallets a week when it joined TPN in 2004, to over 1,000, and been listed as one of the fastest growing businesses in Wales. It started as a general haulier in 1973 and grew organically through the decades which followed. TPN was a natural fit for the evolving business says MD Clive Davies.

“We’ve always been committed to excellent customer service, from the very start,” he says, “so TPN’s ethos fit ours exactly. And that quality shows, both in existing customers who now use the TPN service as well, and in customers who joined us for palletised freight but have gone on to use our full range of haulage services.”

The company now boasts a comprehensive operation, with purpose built facilities, including a workshop and a range of materials handling equipment, including truck mounted forklifts. As a FORS Bronze member, all of its HGVs are equipped with forward, side and rear-view cameras and full tracking.

“TPN has undoubtedly helped us to develop into the significant employer we are today,” says Clive. “We play a very active part in our community, supporting local sports clubs and individuals. And we make a twice-yearly health check available to all employees. Some of our team have been with us for thirty years.”

The post John Pearce Glynneath says 15 years with TPN has transformed its business appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN signs the Armed Forces Covenant

TPN has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which is designed to ensure that service personnel, veterans and their families do not face any disadvantage in the provision of services, or in employment compared to a non-serving citizen.

Those who have served in the forces can sometimes find it hard to find civilian employment for which they are suited. Additionally service personnel and their families can have difficulties meeting normal service or employment clauses without penalty, for instance if they have to relocate suddenly, or they have lived in several different places without building up a credit record. The Armed Forces Covenant seeks to redress these deficiencies by raising awareness and encouraging employers and service providers to meet specific standards.

TPN’s pledge includes creating a training or employment pathway for ex-Forces candidates, and to support the employment of service spouses and partners. You can read the full covenant here.

The post TPN signs the Armed Forces Covenant appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Kimes completes its £1m site extension

Lincolnshire-based George Kime & Co has recently completed its £1m extension of its eight-acre Sleaford site, expanding its fully racked warehousing to 120,000 feet, with three ground-level loading docks, with responsive lighting, skylights, and fast-acting shutter doors. The roller doors make the site more secure and temperature-efficient.

The company also has fully purpose-specced sites in Wrangle, Bicker (near Boston) and Witham St Hughs (near Lincoln), taking its total storage capacity to over 20,000 pallets in both racked and bulk storage areas.

Kimes has also invested in six new Renault rigids, all specced with 1.9m, 2-tonne retractable tail-lifts with railings to ensure delivery safety, and its drivers are equipped with electric assisted pump trucks.

Finally the company is phasing out all of its diesel forklifts over the coming month and replacing them with gas models, which are both cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly.

The post Kimes completes its £1m site extension appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Colchester firm gives prize draw winnings to heart charity Cardiac Risk in the Young

Leading logistics provider Colchester-based Pallet Plus recently won £1,000 on the TPN Charity Draw, and has split its winnings between charity Cardiac Risk In the Young (CRY) and an employee long-service award.

Pallet Plus is a Member of TPN – THE Pallet Network – which comprises more than 100 of the top transport companies in the UK. Each month they hold a charity draw in which the ‘winning’ depot can choose the recipient of the jackpot.

MD Gary Rowe chose CRY as his charity because he lost his best friend to cardiac disease at a young age. “We are really pleased to be able to give some support and publicity to a very important cause,” says Rowe.  â€œToo often heart disease is still an unseen killer even for those who appear young and fit.”

Pallet Plus gave £500 of its Charity Draw winnings to long-time employee Steve Wink as a reward for his 16 years of commitment and hard work.

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We are very proud of our Charity Draw initiative. Our network is made up of more than 100 of the best transport companies in the UK and all of them are very committed to working in their local communities and all have favourite charities they support.

“The TPN Charity Draw is a way we can work collectively to raise funds and awareness for charities, but still keep that local connection between our Members and the causes that matter to them,” he says.

One regional Member of the TPN network will be randomly chosen each month to receive the pot and donate at least £500 to a cause of their choice.

Pallet Plus has served the Colchester area with nationwide palletised freight distribution for several years. It recently doubled the size of its Crossways Centre premises just outside Colchester, buying the freehold to the two acre-site in January.

The offices have been refurbished and the fleet has expanded to 20 vehicles, including two new MAN artics and four new rigids. The palletised freight specialist has 20,000 square feet of transit warehousing.

MD Gary Rowe says: “This site is perfect for us, allowing us to service Colchester, London and the Home Counties with minimal local congestion.”

The post Colchester firm gives prize draw winnings to heart charity Cardiac Risk in the Young appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN Ireland helps driver achieve his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot

TPN Ireland loaned one of its drivers E20,000 to achieve his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot – and he now flies for Stobart Air.

HGV driver Barry Mullen was bought a flying lesson for his 32nd birthday and it wasn’t until several months later that he decided to pursue a private pilot’s licence. He’d left school at 15 and gone straight into haulage. But gradually he began to dream of qualifying as a commercial pilot.

He spent several years, studying every day and clocking up the necessary 200 hours of flight time. But even when he had sold his camper van, and maxed out on commercial loans, he still came up short against the E70,000 to E90,000 total bill for his training.

“I was running out of time to complete the next stage of the training, I was 45 years old and I was still E20,000 short. I thought I’d have to remortgage my house but then the MD Seamus McGowan insisted the company lend it to me,” says Mullen. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”

“We could well understand why he loved flying but when he came us to ask for a loan of €20,000 to cover his study , exams and finals as a commercial pilot our first reaction was: why would we do this to lose our best driver?” says then TPN chairman Owen Cooke. “But then we thought if this guy, in
his mid-forties, has the ambition and determination to follow his dream, we should help him and not get in his way.

“Barry made all his repayments but we didn’t see him for a year. Then one day he walked into the office in his flight suit,” says Cooke.

In October 2018, Mullen finished all of his qualifying exams, and his job-specific training. He now flies an ATR 72-600 from Dublin to a variety of locations, including Jersey and Leeds, for Stobart Air.

“Honestly, it’s wonderful,” he says. “I can’t believe they pay me to do this. After my two days off, I want to go back to work because I want to fly again.”

The post TPN Ireland helps driver achieve his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Announcing TPN XPort, our enhanced international service across 27 countries

TPN is proud to announce the launch of our enhanced international service, TPN XPort, which will bring our trademark high standards to pallets which are destined for the Continent, Scandinavia and beyond.

Customers with between 1 and 10 pallets for export can now receive the same reliable delivery, customer care, and sophisticated IT as their UK deliveries.

The TPN XPort service is operated in collaboration with global logistics provider Gefco, which has pledged its expertise and extensive continental network to deliver a strong and sustainable service for international freight. TPN XPort will initially serve 27 countries, in conjunction with our standard services to the UK and Ireland.

We offer guaranteed transit times.

The Gefco partnership will complement the ongoing work and experience provided by long-term member DSV who will continue to provide services in Scandinavia.

In line with our pallet network model, TPN XPort focuses on consignments of between one and five pallets; however, we can provide prices on application for larger consignments, and for this we leverage Gefco’s formidable full-load and consolidation operations.

How does TPN XPort work?

• Customers can book XPort jobs as usual through TPN Connect.
• Freight can be tracked via TPN Connect with status updates.
• PODs will be available on TPN Connect within 24 hours of delivery.
• Any customer service issues will be dealt with directly by TPN staff.
• TPN offers full-service support, including help with consignment clearance and documentation.
• TPN XPort will deliver the same excellent service standards that our customers expect for domestic palletised freight.

Talk to your local TPN Member about international deliveries for palletised freight.

TPN – Xporting excellence.

The post Announcing TPN XPort, our enhanced international service across 27 countries appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN driver receives an award for saving a man’s life on Halifax flyover

A TPN driver who works for Halifax-based Claude Hellowell recently received a commendation for saving the life of a man intent upon suicide on Halifax flyover last spring.

27-year-old Dan Binns, who has been a truck driver for 18 months, was returning to base after collecting palletised freight from local customers.  He saw a man standing at the edge of Burdock Way flyover, and stopped his vehicle to check everything was OK.

“Most people simply drove past,” says Dan. “Maybe they didn’t realise what was happening or they were just focused on getting home. But I needed to check.”

When he realised the man was sobbing, Dan put his arms around him and held him, both for comfort and so that he couldn’t jump. “I just talked to him, saying we could go for a walk, or for pizza or beer. Anything to keep him focused on something positive until the police arrived.”

Unfortunately when the police did arrive, things didn’t go to plan. The man panicked and broke away from the police, racing down the bridge toward the railing. “He was half way over the railing when I caught him, grabbing a fistful of his coat. I said: ‘You’re not jumping on my watch, mate,’” says Dan who hauled the man to safety and kept him pinned to the ground until the police could safely collect him and take him to hospital.

“Due to confidentiality I can’t know any more about him,” says Dan, “but I’ve been told he’s still alive and I hope he’s OK. It was a very surreal experience. I didn’t think about what I was doing at the time but the award spells out that I saved someone’s life. And I guess that means his loved ones were saved a whole lot of heartache too.”

Dan was awarded a District Chief Superintendent’s Commendation which reads:

“For your courageous and selfless actions in intervening and restraining a male who was intent on committing suicide. Your actions undoubtedly saved the man’s life.”

Unfortunately Dan couldn’t attend the ceremony. “I was flying to Valencia that day. The Under 16s football team I coach had a Spanish tour,” he says. “But getting the award meant a lot to me. It brought home what I’d done that night.”

Dan says he loves his job, but when he first qualified as a truck driver he found long distance work was not for him. “I gave up trunking and went back to my rigids. I’m a people person and I love meeting my customers every day and being part of my community.”

“Dan is a great part of our team. He’s a lovely lad, and he’s won Employee of the Month twice in the past year,” says Claude Hellowell MD Chris Lord. “He’s also very fond of his TPN caps. He usually has at least three in his cab!”

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We’re very proud of Dan and the selflessness and bravery he showed. We’d like to think he reflects the very best of our values as a network. I hope he’ll be an inspiration to other young people who might consider joining the logistics industry.”

The post TPN driver receives an award for saving a man’s life on Halifax flyover appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN driver is praised for heroism after protecting an elderly customer

A driver for TPN Member Pallet Network Anglia has been praised by a customer’s family after he rang an ambulance and stayed for two hours sheltering an old lady from the pouring rain.

Driver Wayne Betts was delivering a tree to a bungalow in Dersingham, Kings Lynn, last week, when the 86 year old recipient tripped as she left her property and broke her hip. Wayne instantly called an ambulance and, knowing that it was unsafe to move her, stayed with the lady for two hours in the pouring rain waiting for paramedics to arrive.

“Wayne phoned the office and the whole team rallied around to get all of his deliveries shifted to other vehicles so that he could stay with the lady until we knew she was safe and cared for,” says Matt Gilbert, operations manager, Pallet Network Anglia.

The PNA traffic team comprising James Judge, Kelly Wilding and Gareth Turner worked tirelessly to ensure that other customers would not be inconvenienced while Wayne sheltered the injured lady.

“I wouldn’t have dreamed of leaving her,” says Wayne. “I didn’t know how long the ambulance would take but she was lying in the pouring rain. I tried to reassure her while keeping her as warm and dry as possible.”

The lady’s family wrote to TPN almost immediately to thank Wayne for his heroic actions.

“During the delivery my mother tripped when coming out of her bungalow and fell and broke her hip. Wayne phoned an ambulance and stayed with her in the driving rain for at least two hours waiting for help which eventually did arrive,” wrote her son, who says his mother is now recovering in hospital.

“This is a true example of human behaviour above business and I would hate to think that Wayne got into trouble for doing so. If Wayne is typical of your company, then that is a massive credit to your culture.”

Needless to say, Wayne did not get into trouble for his actions but has been praised by everyone in the network.

Another TPN driver, Dan Binns, recently won a commendation from the Chief Superintendent after halting his collection round on the Halifax flyover to save a man who was attempting suicide.

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We are extremely proud of Wayne and Dan and the teams that supported them. They embody everything that is great about TPN – a commitment to integrity, excellence and doing the right thing. Our OneTeamTPN culture is all about looking after one another, and these drivers are a credit to that.”

The post TPN driver is praised for heroism after protecting an elderly customer appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Pallet Network Anglia supports people and animals with TPN charity funds

Wisbech-based TPN Member Pallet Network Anglia has divided the entirety of its winnings from the TPN Charity Draw between a local animal shelter and the local branch of mental health charity Mind. The company has donated £500 each to Norfolk and Waveney Mind, and Ravenswood Pet Rescue in Wisbech.

Steve Jackson, operation support manager at East Anglia’s premier logistics company says: “The team decided as a group that we would like to donate all the money to local charities. However, the response from our staff was divided — some chose animal charities and some chose human charities. So we divided the nominations into the two groups, and picked one from each, lottery-style.

“It’s very important to us to support our local community and the important volunteer efforts that happen here. It’s also wonderful to have a chance to show solidarity with the issues our staff care about,” he says.  “We’d like to say a huge thank you to TPN for giving us this chance to support such worthy local causes.”

Minworth-based TPN — THE Pallet Network – has over 100 regional member companies, all of which pledge £10 a month to the TPN charity ‘pot’. Each month a winning depot is chosen at random, and they choose where to donate at least £500 of the winnings. If they wish, the other £500 can be used to reward their hard-working teams.

Rachel Walsh, fundraising and communication manager at Norfolk and Waveney Mind says: “This is fantastic, and we are very grateful to our local TPN depot who kindly nominated us for this donation.

“With over one in four people experiencing a mental health problem and 104 people choosing to take their own lives each week in the UK, the need for good quality mental health support, advice and information is vital.”

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We are very proud of our Charity Draw initiative. Our network is made up of the best transport companies in the UK and all of them are very committed to working in their local communities and all have favourite charities they support.

“The TPN Charity Draw is a way we can work collectively to raise funds and awareness for charities, but still keep that local connection between our Members and the causes that matter to them,” he says.

Pallet Network Anglia is a leading provider of palletised freight services in the Peterborough postcode area. As a long-term Member of TPN, it has expanded to become a substantial local employer and makes a significant contribution to the local economy, shipping and delivering more than 3,000 pallets per week. Pallet Network Anglia also works hard to reduce its carbon footprint by powering its fleet of electric forklifts from its own wind turbine.

About the chosen charities

Ravenswood Pet Rescue is a small independent rescue centre based on the Cambridge/ Norfolk border. We are self-financed and do all our fundraising from car boot sales, quiz nights, kind donations and adoption fees etc. It only has a few workers and otherwise relies on community support.

Norfolk and Waveney Mind is a local Mind mental health charity offering an extensive range of mental health services, along with associated training, advice and information.  It offers a wide range of services including 1:1 talking therapies, gardening projects, access to employment services, mental health training and education for businesses, schools and individuals, residential care and support programmes. It also works in the local community to raise awareness and challenge sigma and discrimination.   Its services support young people aged 14-25, and adults and carers affected by mental health problems.

The post Pallet Network Anglia supports people and animals with TPN charity funds appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN finishes strong recruitment year with new top-rate Members for 2020

“I’ll be TPN for life,” says one new Member, as TPN continues to attract the best and brightest of independent transport to its ranks.

TPN – THE Pallet Network has finished a strong year of recruitment by signing two more first-class Member companies which will officially join the network in early 2020 and the company says it will have more member additions to announce in 2020.

Coventry-based Hambridge Transport is a leading logistics firm, specialising in distribution and global logistics. It has an established event logistics business and 120,000 sq ft of warehousing space. It boasts a substantial portfolio of manufacturing, retail, distribution and import clients.

“We were attracted to TPN’s ethos of excellent service,” says financial director Alan Mohomed. “We have extensive experience in palletised freight distribution and felt we could offer value to our existing customers by joining the leading network.”

The second company who will usher in the New Year with TPN is Stevenage-based Big G Logistics, a relatively new logistics player which has nonetheless won some impressive contracts.

“We started in 2016 and now have two depots in Stevenage and Hoddesdon,” says MD George Denman. “We are really pleased to be joining TPN. We have some prior experience helping one of their member depots, and I absolutely love TPN.

“The systems are brilliant, the people are great. TPN makes it very easy for you to be very good at what you do,” says Denman. “I think I’ll be TPN for life.”

Big G recently won a major XPO contract, becoming an authorised XPO depot.

“Although we will do general haulage for customers upon request, palletised freight distribution is the bulk of our business,” says Denman. “That’s why joining TPN will be such a positive move for us and our customers.”

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “TPN has had a very strong year in 2019, operationally and in terms of Member recruitment. We are very pleased to be starting 2020 with such great companies to the network and are expecting to announce further exciting additions in the near future.”

In 2019, TPN, which ships well in excess of four million pallets a year with exceptional service levels, won the coveted FTA/Multimodal Pallet Network of the Year award, voted for by freight customers and industry members.

The post TPN finishes strong recruitment year with new top-rate Members for 2020 appeared first on The Pallet Network.

McDowell gets glowing endorsement from HSBC as it funds new fleet additions

Keighley-based TPN MemberR McDowell Haulage & Distribution is expanding its haulage fleet with two new 18-tonne Mercedes-Benz Euro 6 HGVs.

Pleased as the company is by the new additions, which will help to scale up capacity for its ever growing customer base, McDowells says the deal also shows the confidence its bank has in the business, which is significant in times of economic uncertainty.

“We’ve been given a six-figure funding package by our bank, HSBC for these vehicles and we are extremely pleased that they are so willing to invest in us. Transport is often one of the first sectors to lose the confidence of the finance community when there is economic uncertainty, and in our experience banks only stay with those businesses they know are 100% solid,” says MD Joe Balmforth.

With an expanded fleet, McDowell is expecting to increase turnover by 3 per cent over the next 12 months. Its strategy will also allow it to capitalise on its expertise in contract logistics and palletised freight distribution, while taking advantage of new, emerging markets.

Anthony Wild, relationship director for West & North Yorkshire, HSBC UK, says: “McDowell has an excellent reputation across the UK for providing a reliable service with an emphasis on fantastic customer service. Using a combination of expertise and resource, the business has developed an effective distribution network that can be trusted. We’re delighted to be supporting the business as it goes from strength-to-strength.”

McDowell is a long term Member of TPN, and one of the leading distribution companies in Yorkshire. Director Geoff Hirst says: “This is the start of an exciting new chapter for the company. In recent years we have found ways to ensure the longevity of the business, whether it be installing satellite tracking of goods for customers or investing to upgrade our fleet to the latest emissions standard.

“Like the TPN network, we are constantly evolving and developing new solutions for our customers, who deserve complete reliability, stability and satisfaction from their transport partners. We’re proud to give them that.”

McDowell has been trading for more than 40 years, has over 100 vehicles in its fleet and employs 150 staff across all operations. The business has over 100,000 sq ft of high-security warehouse space across multiple sites in Keighley.

The post McDowell gets glowing endorsement from HSBC as it funds new fleet additions appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Meter Provida made a smart choice with Hallam Express: “They can’t be bettered”

Staveley-based Meter Provida offers a unique service to utility companies and their installation partners throughout the UK. And it does it with the help of local TPN Member Hallam Express.

Meter Provida supplies the smart meters, consumables and apps which are necessary for residences and businesses to take better control of their energy usage, and it works with energy providers big and small. However, it also offers them reverse logistics, meaning that old meters can be collected, recycled or renewed, rather than ending up in landfill.

Meter Provida sends about 70 pallets of goods out each night. It fulfils the orders and loads the Hallam Express trailer which stands in its yard. Hallam also collects most of the old meters in bulk loads.

“We’ve used Hallam Express for three years. When we recently put our logistics out to tender as part of our continual improvement programme, they couldn’t be bettered,” says Meter Provida head of operations Richard Green. “They offer us an extremely flexible service, they solve problems and our relationship with them is great.”

He says everyone in the company seems committed to offering great customer service, which is also an important part of the Meter Provida ethos and strategy. “We are not always the easiest clients, and, to be fair, neither are our customers – and yet Hallam Express always tries to meet our needs.”

“We have ISO 9001, 14001 and 18001 and we take them very seriously. We want a transport supplier who matches our drive for excellence,” says Richard. “Hallam Express does that. We can have honest, constructive conversations about how we or they could do better, or problems that may occur and that’s very valuable.”

The post Meter Provida made a smart choice with Hallam Express: “They can’t be bettered” appeared first on The Pallet Network.

McDowells gets glowing endorsement from HSBC as it funds new fleet additions

Keighley-based TPN MemberR McDowell Haulage & Distribution is expanding its haulage fleet with two new 18-tonne Mercedes-Benz Euro 6 HGVs.

Pleased as the company is by the new additions, which will help to scale up capacity for its ever growing customer base, McDowells says the deal also shows the confidence its bank has in the business, which is significant in times of economic uncertainty.

“We’ve been given a six-figure funding package by our bank, HSBC for these vehicles and we are extremely pleased that they are so willing to invest in us. Transport is often one of the first sectors to lose the confidence of the finance community when there is economic uncertainty, and in our experience banks only stay with those businesses they know are 100% solid,” says MD Joe Balmforth.

With an expanded fleet, McDowell is expecting to increase turnover by 3 per cent over the next 12 months. Its strategy will also allow it to capitalise on its expertise in contract logistics and palletised freight distribution, while taking advantage of new, emerging markets.

Anthony Wild, relationship director for West & North Yorkshire, HSBC UK, says: “McDowell has an excellent reputation across the UK for providing a reliable service with an emphasis on fantastic customer service. Using a combination of expertise and resource, the business has developed an effective distribution network that can be trusted. We’re delighted to be supporting the business as it goes from strength-to-strength.”

McDowell is a long term Member of TPN, and one of the leading distribution companies in Yorkshire. Director Geoff Hirst says: “This is the start of an exciting new chapter for the company. In recent years we have found ways to ensure the longevity of the business, whether it be installing satellite tracking of goods for customers or investing to upgrade our fleet to the latest emissions standard.

“Like the TPN network, we are constantly evolving and developing new solutions for our customers, who deserve complete reliability, stability and satisfaction from their transport partners. We’re proud to give them that.”

McDowell has been trading for more than 40 years, has over 100 vehicles in its fleet and employs 150 staff across all operations. The business has over 100,000 sq ft of high-security warehouse space across multiple sites in Keighley.

The post McDowells gets glowing endorsement from HSBC as it funds new fleet additions appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Events expert RT Page chooses TPN as the platform for strategic domestic expansion

Arundel-based international events expert RT Page has chosen to join TPN – THE Pallet Network as a key part of its strategy to develop its domestic haulage and distribution business.

The highly respected South-East firm routinely supports top billing acts on world tours, providing highly choreographed logistics support for the entire entourage. The current RT Page management team has decided to leverage its versatile and modern fleet to develop its domestic road transport, storage and handling offerings.

“We will continue to be leaders in events logistics, not least because of the military precision we bring to it,” says MD Nick Tree. “However, we have recently re-aligned our strategy to make the company more versatile, and our offering more comprehensive for customers. TPN is a key part of that strategy.”

Tree says that as a company which holds itself to the highest customer standards, TPN was the only UK pallet network whose standards appeared to fit its own. “We are looking for excellence in our partners,” says Tree. “We have worked with TPN extensively this summer to prepare for our September launch, and we are even more impressed with their operation and support now than when we chose them.”

TPN recently won FTA Multimodal Pallet Network of the Year Award 2019, voted for by 1,400 customers and members of the freight industry.

Tree says TPN has provided a thorough, responsive and comprehensive on-boarding process. “We couldn’t be happier with the service so far. We’ve had TPN team members help us with IT, operations, marketing – as much help as we want to ensure that our customers receive seamless service from day one. And we know this excellent relationship will continue – sometimes you just know you’re working with great people.”

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “RT Page is a first-rate logistics company and we are delighted to have them in the network. We are highly selective with our Members because the network relies upon a true meshing of values, trust and aspiration as well as operational success.

“We look forward to working with RT Page and know they will prove a great asset to our network.”

The post Events expert RT Page chooses TPN as the platform for strategic domestic expansion appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Operations coordinator, Minworth

We want to enhance our Minworth Day Operations Team with an additional coordinator to help keep our service second to none.

In this role, you’ll be responding quickly and accurately to ensure freight movement is optimised. Tasks will include arranging couriers, finding a home for unidentified freight, producing reports and ensuring there are effective handovers to and from the night teams.

You’ll be working closely with our Members, so need to promote good relationships.

Previous experience of working in logistics would be advantageous. Basic Excel skills are a must. If you have a confident, customer-focused approach, we would like to hear from you.

It’s 45 hours per week, worked over nine hour shifts between 06:00 – 19:00. Shifts rotate weekly. It’s mostly Monday to Friday, with the occasional Saturday morning to cover absences.

We offer a competitive hourly rate of £10.40 and a uniform’s provided.

Contact: Lynn Statham on 0121 313 4016 or email jobs@tpnmail.co.uk

The post Operations coordinator, Minworth appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Depot manager, TPN Dagenham

We need a manager to run our TPN Dagenham depot (RM9). The depot manages the collection and delivery of pallets to customers and trunking operations.

The role comes with a £50,000 pa salary and a fully expensed company car.

The role is very hands-on, working with a small team. You’ll take full responsibility for all operational activity and the commercial development of the location.

You will ensure that efficiency and performance is maximised, while working to an agreed operational budget. You’ll develop the team and ensure that all compliance, and health and safety areas are covered. You will take active responsibility for sales activity and the development of the operation.

Do you have…
> Previous operational/depot management experience in a hands-on capacity?
> Experience of working within the distribution sector, preferably with pallet network experience?
> Very good communication skills and the ability and desire to develop people?
> Experience of working in a similar environment with HGVs and FLTs?

It will also be useful to have a transport management CPC.

If this sounds like a job for you, we’d love to hear from you!

Contact Lynn Statham on 0121 313 4016 or email your CV to jobs@tonmail.co.uk

The post Depot manager, TPN Dagenham appeared first on The Pallet Network.

John Pearce provides essential support to Nightingale hospitals in London and Cardiff

TPN Member John Pearce Glynneath is delivering essential PPE equipment to the new NHS Nightingale Hospital erected in the ExCel Centre in east London.

The South Wales haulier has taken four full loads of gowns, masks, gloves and other PPE equipment to the Nightingale, for medical consumable specialist Rocialle. The PPE will help to protect the 16,000 staff who will be caring for Covid patients.

“We’re extremely proud to be helping with this project and I’m exceptionally proud of all the John Pearce team who are supporting our customers with these vital deliveries,” says MD Clive Davies.

John Pearce has helped other clients essential to beating Covid 19 too. “We have moved factory-to-factory loads of parts for ventilators, along with other essential loads, including food packaging, healthcare and disability products, and food. We’ve also delivered essential supplies on behalf of our customer Rocialle into the Principality Stadium where the new Dragon’s Heart Hospital is being built in Cardiff,” he says.

“We’re available to anyone who requires fast and reliable logistics, whether that is a single pallet or a series of full loads.”

John Pearce is one of many TPN Members who are supporting the NHS, their regular customers, and their local communities throughout the Covid 19 crisis.

The post John Pearce provides essential support to Nightingale hospitals in London and Cardiff appeared first on The Pallet Network.

‘Literally life-saving’: TPN Member Direct Express Logistics praised for vital help

TPN member Direct Express Logistics Nottingham has received a wonderful letter from a customer, praising their team for ensuring vital deliveries necessary to build life-saving ventilators. 

Ben Senior and his team at manufacturer Specialist Engineering Plastics says: “Please could you share this message with your teams, especially those drivers and depot staff who continue to come to work each day.

“What you are doing is literally life-saving. You’ve made it possible for us to continue supplying companies manufacturing parts for vital pieces of equipment.

“Due to the critical situation with Covid-19, the market is completely screaming out for life-supporting ventilators. People are dying, and ventilators are needed to treat and save those people in a critical condition. We are supplying companies manufacturing parts for these vital pieces of equipment.

“Right now, our priority is to support the public health and do our part to save lives. Your delivery network is helping distribute our materials for the manufacture of those life-supporting ventilators, you are part of the world- wide action in fighting this pandemic.”

Direct Express Logistics says that it is extremely proud of its drivers, transport and warehouse teams, which like those of all other TPN Members have continued in their role as key-workers, to ensure that emergency and essential goods reach their destinations.

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We can’t praise these teams enough. They face each day with determination and selfless professionalism. We have as many safety protocols in place for them as we can, but that doesn’t take away from their bravery and dedication.”

The importance of the logistics industry has often been overlooked by the British public, who typically have little direct contact with it except for passing an HGV on the road. However, with the current focus on essential medical  supplies, rapidly-depleted supermarket shelves and life-saving manufacturing, the vital work of logistics managers and HGV drivers has been thrown into sharp relief. 

Mark Duggan says:  “We are proud to be helping to keep the British public and our NHS supplied with what they need.”

The post ‘Literally life-saving’: TPN Member Direct Express Logistics praised for vital help appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN Members collaborate to ensure fast delivery of medical supplies to NHS Trusts

TPN Members Halcion Express and NFS 360 Connect collaborated to ensure essential medical supplies were delivered into the NHS distribution centres.

The two Members partnered to ensure that eight full loads, including 3,500 essential oxygen concentrators and masks were collected and delivered to the Ministry of Defence and Kuehne + Nagel respectively for onward delivery to NHS Trusts.

Halcion is based in Cheshire and NFS in County Durham.

Halcion Express client Baywater Healthcare provided the medical supplies, which will be delivered over the coming weeks to NHS Trusts across the country.

Halcion Express MD Andrew Corrie says: “Our close ties within the TPN network mean that we can always call on the support and resources of other Members to help our clients when their needs are extensive or urgent.

“You don’t get much more urgent than delivering life-saving respiratory equipment for the NHS,” he adds. “We’re very pleased that we can do our part in partnership with Baywater Healthcare to help during the Covid 19 crisis.”

The post TPN Members collaborate to ensure fast delivery of medical supplies to NHS Trusts appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TWE Haulage expands its service for any customer in need of rapid logistics

Banbury-based TPN Member TWE Haulage is servicing hospitals in London and Oxfordshire for existing and new clients, having to adapt to much higher volumes and urgent need, says commercial director Ross Edden.

The company, which provides a full logistics service, has been delivering PPE into the ExCel-based Nightingale Hospital on behalf of long-term customer Montgomery Transport. They have also distributed PPE to the emergency services base established at a former USA military base at Upper Hayford, Oxfordshire.

One local customer supplies Siemens Medical, and loads to this premises have increased from two a week to several a day, which is challenging for the fleet. “As the logistics provider we have to react to what customers need when they need it,” says Ross. “It’s all down to what can be produced by the factory, and we have to react, with trailers waiting for the goods, to make sure no delay occurs.”

TWE is also delivering into the John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospitals on behalf of fellow TPN Members.

“And of course, we are also servicing other customers, including supermarkets,” says Ross. “It may not be as high profile as the NHS, but making sure that food is delivered to the Morrisons at Bridgewater so it remains well stocked for consumers is also pretty vital.

“I am proud that TWE is offering our support to all who need it, whether that be an existing customer, new customers or competitor logistics companies who require more resource,” says Ross. “We must all work together to make sure we come out the other side. And when we do emerge from this, hopefully our industry will be appreciated for its critical role.”

The post TWE Haulage expands its service for any customer in need of rapid logistics appeared first on The Pallet Network.

GPT customer says TPN service is purr-fect

TPN member Rochdale-based GPT Logistics has provided rapid delivery of 39,000 bags of cat litter which are distributed to supermarkets, pet stores and cat charities.

Midas Products UK has seen a significant increase in orders during the lockdown period and has relied on the TPN network through local Member GPT to ensure that these stocks are delivered throughout the UK.

“We’re handling all of Midas’ deliveries with 75% of them going through TPN and the rest as dedicated loads. Midas is very impressed with our service levels. And, as almost 120 bags fit on one pallet, it becomes a very cost-effective delivery for the customer,” says GPT transport manager Paul Shaw.

“Items like this as essential for homeowners at the moment, especially as vets have advised keeping cats indoors during the lockdown period, to prevent other members of the public petting them,” says Shaw.

Midas’ Bio-Catolet is also an environmentally friendly product, made from 100% recycled paper and completely biodegradable.

The post GPT customer says TPN service is purr-fect appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Action Roadways delivers loo roll free of charge to food banks for wholesaler Migro

TPN Member Action Roadways is delivering 10,000 toilet rolls, free of charge, to food banks around the Belvedere, Kent region on behalf of its customer Migro.

Migro is the first Italian ‘cash-and-carry’ outlet in the UK, designed for trade and wholesale customers. Founder and CEO of Migro’s parent company Ilario Amato received the ten pallets of toilet paper from suppliers in Italy, and immediately suggested donating them to food share sites for the vulnerable.

The initial consignment  is 10 pallets, with each pallet containing 1,000 toilet rolls.

“Illato asked us if we could help by donating the necessary transport, and we were glad to,” says Steve Thompson, MD. “It’s really important that we all contribute what we can to make sure everyone is cared for at the moment.”

Thompson says he is very proud of his team, which has continued to operate as key workers, delivering pallets from other TPN Members into St Thomas Hospital, Guy’s Hospital the London Ambulance Service and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, as well as to shops, businesses and residences across the region.

The post Action Roadways delivers loo roll free of charge to food banks for wholesaler Migro appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Hi Speed Services raises thousands for ‘survival packs’ for NHS Frimley staff

Aldershot-based TPN Member Hi Speed Services has raised over £22,000 to provide 1,000 ‘survival packs’ for staff at NHS Frimley Park hospital.

Team members shared the campaign on social media and by word of mouth and the donations poured into its JustGiving page.

The first £20,000 of the money was spent on huge quantities of groceries, including energy bars, drinks, personal hygiene products and toiletries and fresh fruit to allow staff to freshen up and have a snack during shifts. Shift patterns can mean it’s harder for NHS staff to shop – and many do not want to return to their families without first being able to wash and change for fear of spreading infection.

“We bought such a large quantity of goods for them, we ended up collecting whole cages  of groceries from Farnborough Asda in our own vehicles and delivering straight to the hospital,” says Hi Speed Services MD Ian Dawkins.

A team of Hi-speed staff and volunteers were on hand to unload into the hospital premises, and internal teams organised the distribution of the welfare packs amongst staff.

“The NHS teams are working very hard under very challenging conditions,” says Jamie. “We hope the welfare packs made their shifts that little bit easier and more comfortable.”

If anyone would like to contribute, the fund remains open, and the remaining money will be donated to the Frimley Park Covid-19 Appeal.

You can find your local TPN member here.

The post Hi Speed Services raises thousands for ‘survival packs’ for NHS Frimley staff appeared first on The Pallet Network.

A message of tears, hope and pride from SCS Logistics MD Sandra Cottam-Shea

This message was written by Sandra Cottam-Shea, MD of TPN Member SCS Logistics. We are grateful that she allowed us to reproduce it here.

The transport industry is how this country, and the world, keeps the economy moving, literally.

We are now classed as essential workers and all of us carry a letter from the Department of Transport in case we get stopped by the police travelling to and from work.

However, despite being essential, there are 240,000 wagons parked up around the country. As businesses cease to trade the movement of goods reduce and those with big retail contracts have been hit hard.

Haulage is generally acknowledged as a roughty toughty world and hauliers are not known to be tearful and emotional. This one is, and for a plethora of reasons.

Initially everything was fear based. Fear of falling ill, fear of not seeing my family as they are in lockdown on the Isle of Man, fear of losing the company that I had worked so hard to build and fear of failing my staff and their families.

The tears fell as I watched my lovely customers close their doors and said we’ll see you on the other side. As establishments shuttered up in our beautiful bay and the loss of hugs and handshakes, face to face meetings and friendships in the flesh.

We furloughed those staff that are shielding frontline NHS and vulnerable family and begged for payment holidays. Admin staff established at home working, and enforced cab cleaning routines and safe working practices. We watched the figures dwindle and may as well have gone to a psychic for a cashflow projection.

This industry is nothing if not resilient and adaptable, and that is definitely my amazing team.

As the world changed, so did our type of freight. PPE must be moved, and we are lucky enough to service GVS in Morecambe. They make filters for masks and hospital equipment and we are so proud of them for cranking up several gears to accommodate the demand.

Compliance and the need for MOTs, drivers’ hours and other legalities have temporarily ceased but not on our watch. Our compliance team are as regulated as always and have not relaxed one bit.

The general haulage department have created relationship nationwide and continue to deliver vital goods around the country.

Our pallet network (TPN) team in Heysham have continuously delivered online shopping and PPE requirements to the local community.

The tears still come, but for added reasons now. Tears at reading Stobart’s gesture of an NHS liveried trailer, whose proceeds for three months will go to the NHS. Tears at watching Captain Tom and other amazing individuals work their magic.

Huge tears of pride for our NHS staff and their bravery and dedication. Our police and fire fighters, our shop and supermarket staff, refuse collectors, maintenance providers, anyone that is serving others. You all get my tears of gratitude, especially my team. Thank you.

This storm will pass, and we will see you on the other side. Stay safe.

 

The post A message of tears, hope and pride from SCS Logistics MD Sandra Cottam-Shea appeared first on The Pallet Network.

GPT ensures rapid delivery of fire extinguishers to new Scottish hospital

Rochdale based TPN Member GPT Logistics managed an urgent delivery of fire extinguishers to the new NHS Hospital Louisa Jordan in Glasgow last week.

The four pallets of extinguishers, essential for the opening of the facility were despatched at 4pm one evening and arrived, courtesy of Glasgow member GCN Scotland at 9.15am the next day.

“GCN was great in expediting this delivery for us,” says Paul Shaw. “The TPN network gives exceptional service to all of our customers, but we were very grateful for their professionalism with this particular consignment, given its time-critical nature.”

“Our customer, Express Fire Equipment was very impressed with the excellent service performance.”

The post GPT ensures rapid delivery of fire extinguishers to new Scottish hospital appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN Awards 2020 celebrate the very highest performance in network logistics

The TPN Annual Awards have celebrated logistics companies with the very highest performance rates in the UK this week.

The usual Annual Awards event, which takes place in conjunction with the network’s Spring Gala, was forestalled by the Covid19 lockdown. However, TPN MD Mark Duggan decided that excellence in a network which has continued to deliver both in terms of quantity of freight and quality of performance during the national crisis should be publicly recognised.

“It’s more important than ever to celebrate excellence in logistics,” he says. “Despite the difficulties of lockdown and the challenges facing keyworkers such as ours, our network has not missed a beat. The operational excellence of these TPN Members is exactly what has allowed them to continue serving the UK economy flawlessly.”

A full list of awards and winners follows below.

Best New Member Award – this recognises the highest performing member in their first year of membership with TPN.
Winner:    Spartan Distribution

Regional Business Development Awards: These recognise those members who have continuously striven to develop their businesses across all areas including growth, performance and processes while driving up service standards.

• North Region  Roy Fox Transport
• East Region  Derby Express Couriers
• South Region  EDG Group
• West Region Delivery Solutions Delsol

Operational Excellence Award: This recognises those Members who achieved a score above 99% at the first attempt during their annual ISO:9001 TPN Audit. This is a fantastic achievement as the audit becomes tougher every year. The winners are:

• Starlings Transport & Storage
• CK Transport
• Oxford Carriers
• B&T Hicks Transport

Input Depot of the Year Award: this recognises a depot which has demonstrated continued, sustainable and profitable growth throughout the year.
Winner: FDC Holdings

Delivery Depot of the Year Award: this recognises the depot with the best delivery performance statistics, taking into account the volumes delivered and the area covered.
Winner: Leeds Parcel Company

Regional Depot of the Year Awards: These are special awards because the selected depots have been chosen by their peers as the best depots in their regions. You, their fellow Members, have told us they are supportive, collaborative, helpful and professional. The winners are:

• North region: Tyneside Express Transport
• East region: Lombard Express
• South region: CK Transport
• West region: John Pearce Transport (Glynneath)

TPN Hub Recognition Award: All TPN teams are excellent and contribute hugely to the excellence of the network. However, the tireless efforts and professionalism of one team cried out for recognition. The winner is:    
The TPN Audit Team     

Outstanding Development Award: This recognises a member who has not only significantly developed their business, but has worked with the network to embrace new challenges and opportunities.
Winner:  Hallam Express

Elite Performance Awards: Earlier this year we celebrated 24 of our Members who had achieved a staggering 99%+ performance across all KPIs throughout 2019. The three highest scoring Members are our Elite Performance Award winners. They are:

• Bronze: Oxford Carriers
• Silver: B&T Hicks Transport
• Gold: Rogers UK Transport

TPN Depot of the Year 2020. This is the highest accolade in the network awards. Voted for by the Members and selected from the four Regional Depot of the Year winners, this company has proved itself professional, helpful, customer-oriented, flexible and supportive.  
Winner: Tyneside Express Transport

The post TPN Awards 2020 celebrate the very highest performance in network logistics appeared first on The Pallet Network.

RT Page helps major manufacturer deliver life-saving equipment to Bristol hospitals

RT Page and Sons has delivered life-saving ventilators to NHS hospitals in Bristol, on a non-profit basis.

The West-Sussex based TPN Member has been supporting a major manufacturing customer which responded to the government’s call for new suppliers of the urgently needed medical equipment.

“This is one of those situations where everyone has to do what they can as effectively as they can,” says RT Page MD Nick Tree. “The manufacturers have stepped up and produced excellent equipment as quickly as possible. We in turn have provided the logistics to get these pieces of kit into ICUs in Bristol as quickly as possible, so that they can be used to save lives.

“We had no interest in making a profit in this instance,” says Nick. “It’s simply our small contribution to saving lives.”

The Arundel-based company is better known as a major European events specialist, being responsible for ensuring that all the staging and equipment for major acts is packed up and delivered to locations around the world for sell-out tours. However, it also has a strong domestic logistics division, and is a Member of THE Pallet Network.

“We help our clients, whatever their need, whether that is a worldwide tour, or a bespoke local solution,” says Nick. “If it’s logistics, it’s our kind of job.”

Like the rest of the TPN network, RT Page has continued working throughout the lockdown period, supporting essential deliveries, existing and new customers and the increased demand for home delivery.

 

The post RT Page helps major manufacturer deliver life-saving equipment to Bristol hospitals appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Kime Transport ensures fast turnaround of beds for NHS Pilgrim Hospital

Lincolnshire-based TPN Member George H Kime has delivered three loads of hospital beds to the Pilgrim Hospital in Boston.

Kimes responded to a direct request for help from Lincolnshire County Council .The 60 beds had been imported from Poland and Kime arranged for the containers to be delivered to its depot in Sleaford. From there it devanned the beds, reloaded them to trailers and delivered all 60 to the Pilgrim Hospital.

“Requests for NHS movements are naturally often urgent, and we pull out all the stops to ensure everything gets delivered exactly when it’s needed and when it’s expected,” says MD Nigel Kime. “It may sound like a small thing but hospital staff are stretched at the moment and having beds available when you need them is huge to the staff and patients involved.”

Kimes has consistently invested in its vehicle fleet, and last built a £1m extension to its Sleaford depot. It also has a new site in development in Lincoln, as well as its premises in Wrangle, Bicker and Witham St Hughs.

“We have expertise in container work, haulage, and of course, first class palletised freight distribution,” says Nigel. “And we have warehousing available all over the Lincolnshire area. When customers are ready to ramp up their businesses, we’re ready to support them.”

The post Kime Transport ensures fast turnaround of beds for NHS Pilgrim Hospital appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN signs Central Logistics Solutions for Leicester, on basis of excellent service

Central Logistics Solutions, a 16-year specialist DHL partner and haulier, which has never received a single customer complaint, says TPN fits its ethos of quality

1 June 2020 Minworth UK:   TPN – THE Pallet Network, has signed new-to-networks Markfield-based Central Logistics Solutions (CLS) to cover Leicester postcodes.

The company, which boasts clients such as Amazon, Network Rail, Travis Perkins, Toyota and BMW, says joining a pallet network was the next natural stage of the company’s evolution. The directors did exhaustive research to find the best pallet network in the UK.

“We narrowed our choices to four, and looked hard at customer reviews, KPI data, and network culture,” says CLS Director John Musumeci. “TPN was a clear winner for us because it has an ethos of quality rather than an aggressive sales strategy.

“I have very high standards for customer service because it ensures customer retention and TPN fit with our principles and business model,” he adds. “Their approach is relaxed, and unpressured either on Members or customers, but nonetheless extremely professional, committed to excellence, and supportive.”

Musumeci says he is ‘delighted’ to have been given Leicester postcodes for TPN. “We have extensive experience of working with DHL, in particular supporting its NHS Supplychain, so we are already used to working to high external standards.”

Leicester-based CLS offers national general haulage, and same-day courier services, as well as managing European shipments through long-term partners. In 16 years of trading CLS has never received a single customer complaint.

It has a modern 30-strong fleet, ranging between car-derived vans and full-weight artics.

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “CLS is an excellent firm and we are very pleased to welcome them to the network. Joining a network is a little like a marriage – it’s important that your values and goals align from the start and we have that with CLS.”

CLS is the first company to be signed during lockdown which meant that all the normal recruitment meetings were virtual.

“Traditionally we would meet prospective Members face to face but instead we’ve used Microsoft Teams. And because good business decisions are data-led and not based on a firm handshake or dinner, we can present an excellent business case to hauliers simply by letting them see our performance levels and figures. That tells them almost everything they need to know about how we operate,” says Duggan.

Musumeci says he is very impressed with TPN’s onboarding process. “Honestly I’m really chuffed. Everyone has been swift, helpful and very professional in helping us set up. We’ve barely started and I can already tell this is a great team.”

The post TPN signs Central Logistics Solutions for Leicester, on basis of excellent service appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN leads the way with innovative new recycling scheme for end-of-life pallets

New TPN recycling scheme adds another problem-solving free service for TPN Members and improves sector’s green credentials

14 July 2020 Minworth UK: TPN – THE Pallet Network has launched an innovative recycling scheme which saves substantial amounts of waste landfill, reduces its Members’ costs and is a major stride forward in lowering the carbon footprint of the logistics industry.

TPN’s end-of-life pallet scheme is a simple and innovative solution which underlines the network’s commitment to delivering savings and benefits to Members.

Launched last week, TPN Members can return end-of-life pallets and other waste wood to the Hub, where they will be handled and consolidated free of charge. The consolidated wood waste is then taken away to be processed into raw material for chipboard production and for use in modern, carbon-neutral power stations.

“This is a perfect example of our mutual benefit principle,” says Duggan. “The issues and costs associated with the disposal of expired pallets and other wood waste from deliveries, has long been a problem for the sector. Broken pallets fill landfill sites all over the country which is wasteful and bad for the environment.

“For some time, we have been working to identify a suitable solution that will both assist TPN members with a free-of-charge disposal option, and which also improves all of our green credentials by introducing intelligent recycling,” says Duggan.

Many hauliers spend significant sums every month to clear or dispose of stacks of broken pallets. TPN is always looking for ways to help its members have more sustainable businesses, both in commercial and environmental terms.

“Sustainable business means a lot of things,” says Duggan. “It means proper pricing, so we can afford to invest in clean vehicles and top-quality service. It means efficiencies, and collaboration and mutual support and the sharing resources.

“We believe in thinking differently and working together to find solutions which have previously been out of reach,” says Duggan. “We’re thrilled that TPN can lead the way in creating an environmental solution for one of the pallet network sector’s problems and we invite other companies to follow our lead.”

The post TPN leads the way with innovative new recycling scheme for end-of-life pallets appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Fork-lift drivers for superb night-shift team

Join the slickest logistics team in the business! Vacancies for fork-lift truck drivers in our superb night-team operation. Good salary.

 

We’re growing, with expanded facilities and greater volume than ever before. This means we require a number of Fork Lift Truck Drivers to join our night shift.  

We run a very busy night operation, and need top-notch FLT drivers to be able to meet our excellent customer service standards.   Our team really is the best in the business, so if joining a team with exceptional skills appeals, then this is the job for you.

You’ll need a minimum of 12 months’ experience of counterbalance driving, preferably in a fast-paced environment. Previous pallet network experience is advantageous but not essential.  

45 hours per week, worked between hours of 7pm -7am (shift will be confirmed at offer stage).  

Hourly Rate £12.22 after training period completed.

If this sounds like a job for you, send us your contact details, experience and qualifications to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk

The post Fork-lift drivers for superb night-shift team appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Vacancy: Depot Manager for TPN Teesside

Do you have what it takes to successfully manage our TPN Depot in Teesside? For a good salary and fully expensed car, read on!

TPN Teesside is a logistics specialist in Stockton-on-Tees, in the North-East of England. It provides haulage, warehousing and palletised freight distribution services to North-Eastern businesses, giving a national service.   It’s of the TPN group of companies, with our central Hub near Birmingham.

We need someone with great all-round skills and an operational focus. You’ll be responsible for the running of the depot, and managing all aspects so that the site is as successful as possible.

You would need to:

• Ensure the volumes are processed to meet all targets
• Take responsibility for the cost and revenue of the depot and ensure all opportunities are maximised
• Own and manage the current customer base and lead customer sales to both expand current clients and seek new clients
• Manage all statutory undertakings in accordance with the Operator’s Licence
• Take responsibility for all Health and Safety obligations
• Mentor and develop your team

A competitive salary is available, along with a fully expensed company car.   Check out our employee benefits.

If this seems like a job for you, send your CV to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk by 7 August 2020.

 

 

 

 

The post Vacancy: Depot Manager for TPN Teesside appeared first on The Pallet Network.

THE Pallet Network signs new-to-networks Slough-based KPI Transport

TPN – THE Pallet Network, has signed new-to-networks Slough-based KPI Transport. Its TPN operation goes live on the 17 August.

Slough-based Keith Perry International Transport, which trades as KPI Transport, came into new ownership in June 2020. KPI director Ray Burke says he is looking to expand its fleet, its customer base and its range of services – and TPN membership is the key.

Traditionally KPI has consolidated loads into Ireland, as well as offering general haulage, ADR and international transport. It runs a modern, versatile fleet, and has warehousing and storage facilities to complement its other activities.

“Being part of a pallet network can give us new clients and a diversified range of services,” says Burke. “We chose TPN because its membership offer was the best and I think it will be the best path for us to grow the business.

“The other networks we interviewed were more concerned with what they wanted than what we needed,” he adds. “However TPN could provide what we needed to grow.”

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We are very pleased to welcome KPI to the network. KPI is not alone in noticing that TPN prioritised the Member’s needs as a business. Our business model is predicated on making our Members successful. If individual Members thrive, we thrive as a network.

“This is an auspicious time to be joining TPN because we’ve got exciting developments planned,” adds Duggan. “We’re in a time of growth and evolution for the whole network.”

Burke says that TPN’s enhanced international distribution service, TPN XPort appealed to him because it will give KPI greater flexibility over how it conducts its international work in the future.

“We are currently busy working with the TPN team to get the operation ready to go live,” he says. “We are very pleased with how it’s going so far.”

TPN has a first-rate on-boarding service which is designed to set new Members up for success from day one. The TPN team ensures that all systems, protocols, training and marketing support is in place and they work alongside staff on the ground until they are comfortable with the new service.

TPN celebrated its 20^th anniversary this year, and coincidentally hit its projection of 20,000 pallets a night. Its Hub, which is capable of loading/unloading 40 trailers simultaneously, has been extended to now handle another 17 trailers an hour.

“We have a highly analytical Hub strategy which stays ahead of volume growth so that our service standards never slip,” says Duggan. “This includes moving to artificial intelligence to manage Hub movements. Other networks still use the old matrix-driven models, but we are discovering whole new levels of efficiency.

“We are constantly evolving to ensure that we provide the best commercial and operational environment for our Members.”

The post THE Pallet Network signs new-to-networks Slough-based KPI Transport appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Vacancies: Join us as a CLASS 1 DAY DRIVER at our Teesside depot

We’re looking for new Class 1 day drivers at TPN Teesside. Working as a Class 1 driver, you will be responsible for the safe delivery of palletised goods to a variety of customers, as well as trunk driving and general haulage.

The job comprises a five-day week.

Duties will include:

• Ensuring goods are delivered safe and secure
• Keeping your vehicle in good condition
• Loading and unloading the vehicle via tail-lift with a pallet truck
• Completing delivery paperwork
• Confirming deliveries via electronic device
• Depot duties as required

What you’ll need:

• The correct category of driving licence
• No more than 6 penalty points
• A valid Driver Qualification Card (DQC)/ Driver CPC
• A valid Digital Tachograph Card
• The role is physically active as you’ll be dealing with heavy goods
• Fluency in English as you’ll have constant communication with colleagues and customers

You can see a full list of employee benefits here.

Please send your contact details and CV to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk

The post Vacancies: Join us as a CLASS 1 DAY DRIVER at our Teesside depot appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Operations coordinators, Minworth

We want to enhance our Minworth Day Operations Team with two additional coordinators to help keep our service second to none. Our coordinators are the WD40 of the network, keeping everything running smoothly.

In this role, you’ll be responding quickly and accurately to ensure freight movement is optimised. You’ll be a key problem solver for our Members, mediate in any issues between Members and generally build and maintain great relationships throughout our network.

Tasks will include arranging couriers, finding a home for unidentified freight, producing reports and ensuring there are effective handovers to and from the night teams.

This role comprises a wide range of skills and is both challenging and fun. You’ll get to play best friend, sheriff and superhero all in one shift. But don’t worry – you have a great team at your back, and a clear set of policies to follow.

Previous experience of working in logistics would be advantageous. Basic Excel skills are a must. If you have a confident, customer-focused approach, we would like to hear from you.

It’s 45 hours per week, worked in nine-hour shifts between 6am and 7pm. Shifts rotate weekly. It’s mostly Monday to Friday, with the occasional Saturday morning to cover absences.

We offer a competitive hourly rate of £10.40 and a uniform’s provided. Check out our full list of employee benefits.

Send your CV and contact details to: Lynn Statham on 0121 313 4016 or email jobs@tpnmail.co.uk

The post Operations coordinators, Minworth appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Application support analyst, Minworth

Our teams rely on the skill of our IT teams to give them the day to day technology they rely on, train them in how to use it and make sure it keeps working. As an Application Support Analyst you’ll offer a proactive service to our staff and network Members.

The job will involve, among other things:

• Routine IT tasks
• Help shape our IT development life cycles
• You’ll be supporting our staff and members in their use of It, including remotely, and escalating issues where appropriate
• Problem solving and trouble shooting
• Testing and documenting our software applications
• Day-to-day support of TPN Infrastructure (Networks, servers and other infrastructure including Active Directory, Exchange 365, phone system, switches, routers etc).
• Configuring and setting up mobile phones, printers and email accounts
• Involved with machine & server builds & hardware/software deployment
• Active involvement in departmental discussions and developments

We have a great team and a full complement of employee benefits.

The job is for 37.5 hours a week, including shifts and remote support.

If you think you could be one of our IT superheroes, send your contact details and CV to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk

The post Application support analyst, Minworth appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN Teesside values employees’ potential as it promotes HGV driver to manager

TPN Teesside has appointed a former driver to depot manager, making use of his earlier experience in retail management.

TPN Teesside has appointed one of its HGV drivers to the crucial role of depot manager, saying it wants to provides careers, and not just jobs, for its employees.

Martyn Levitt was a manager at retailer SportsDirect for more than 18 years when he decided on a change of career. He applied for voluntary redundancy and invested his money in getting his HGV licence.

“I loved driving. It was refreshing to be out on my own, doing something rewarding but completely different to my past experience,” he says.

Martyn, a lifelong Middlesbrough resident, had been driving for TPN Teesside since its inception in June 2019 and, one year later, the role of depot manager has tempted him back to managerial duties.

“I always enjoyed management because you can look after people, make their jobs better for them and improve how things run. That’s very rewarding,” he says.

“TPN is a great company. I’ve never worked anywhere so open and transparent with its employees and with such a sense of equality. When we started this depot, TPN MD Mark Duggan came and worked alongside us for two weeks. He kept his door open and everyone could talk to him and get to know him. That’s a great culture to be part of,” says Martyn.

TPN head of strategic operations, Lee Noble says: “We see so much potential in Martyn and his previous managerial experience is a great resource.

“It’s very important to us to be able to promote from within where possible because it lets us provide careers, and not just jobs, for those employees who want to progress. We genuinely value our people and that means looking at everything they can do and giving them opportunities.”

TPN Teesside is only a year old yet became a profitable venture within weeks. TPN has plans for the depot to continue expanding and become a considerable employer in the Stockton area.

“If any drivers out there wish to work for a growing business which values its people, they should give us a call,” says Lee.

“Our standards are very high operationally,” says Martyn. “My job is to make sure that we maintain those very high service levels regardless of how big we get.”

If you need general haulage or palletised freight services in the Teesside area, or fancy a job at one of the North-East’s up and coming logistics operations, call 01642 434477.

The post TPN Teesside values employees’ potential as it promotes HGV driver to manager appeared first on The Pallet Network.

TPN signs energetic, new-to-networks Basingstoke-based CWM Transport

Basingstoke-based CWM Transport says TPN was the only network it would consider based on service quality and resilience during COVID lockdown

17 September 2020 Minworth UK:   TPN – THE Pallet Network, has signed new-to-networks Basingstoke-based CWM Transport after the owners indicated they would like to diversify.

The two-year-old company, which has developed an excellent reputation for providing dedicated full- load haulage between depots for major logistics groups, such as Fedex/TNT and Amazon, goes live on 14 September.

CWM director Carl Wood says drops in freight volumes during the COVID lockdown made him realise the importance of diversifying from the full-load haulage the company specialised in.

“During lockdown we were still delivering for major customers but the only network we saw on the motorways was TPN. That told me which network to call,” he says. “And a very profitable call it was.”

He continues: “I worked as a driver for 20+ years after leaving the army, and I’ve been in and out of many Hubs. Some of the networks aren’t very professional at all. By contrast TPN’s Hub operation is very well organised.”

CWM is growing fast, with another five vehicles and two trailers on order for September delivery.

“We believe strongly in investing in the right tools for the job, and performing to a very high standard,” says Wood. “Palletised freight distribution will be a different skill set for us, but TPN’s onboarding procedure is so thorough that we’ll all be completely familiar with every aspect of it by the time we start.”

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We are very pleased to welcome such an agile and energetic young company to the network. I have no doubt they will be an asset to TPN and we in turn will set them up for success.

“COVID has shown us that the right pallet network can provide a lifeline not only to its haulage partners but also to those customers whose volumes fell below full-load levels,” says Duggan. “We have always believed that network freight should be one part of a wider haulage portfolio for most of our partners because that offers them and their customers’ maximum resilience and security.”

The post TPN signs energetic, new-to-networks Basingstoke-based CWM Transport appeared first on The Pallet Network.

VACANCIES: Fork-lift drivers for superb night-shift team at Minworth

Join the slickest logistics team in the business! Vacancies for fork-lift truck drivers in our superb night-team operation. Good salary.

We’re growing, with expanded facilities and greater volume than ever before. This means we require a number of Fork Lift Truck Drivers to join our night shift.  

We run a very busy night operation, and need top-notch FLT drivers to be able to meet our excellent customer service standards.   Our team really is the best in the business, so if joining a team with exceptional skills appeals, then this is the job for you.

You’ll need a minimum of 12 months’ experience of counterbalance driving, preferably in a fast-paced environment. Previous pallet network experience is advantageous but not essential.  

45 hours per week, worked between hours of 7pm -7am (shift will be confirmed at offer stage).  

If this sounds like a job for you, send us your contact details, experience and qualifications to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk

The post VACANCIES: Fork-lift drivers for superb night-shift team at Minworth appeared first on The Pallet Network.

Fork lift truck drivers needed!

Join the slickest logistics team in the business! Vacancies for fork-lift truck drivers for our superb operations team. Good salary.

We’re growing, with expanded facilities and greater volume than ever before. This means we require a number of Fork Lift Truck Drivers to join our teams. Day and night shifts are available.

We run a very busy operation, and need top-notch FLT drivers round the clock to be able to meet our excellent customer service standards.   Our team really is the best in the business, so if joining a team with exceptional skills appeals, then this is the job for you.

You’ll need a minimum of 12 months’ experience of counterbalance driving, preferably in a fast-paced environment.  Previous pallet network experience is advantageous but not essential.  

The roles are for 45 hours per week.  

Hourly Rate £12.22 after training period completed.

If this sounds like a job for you, send us your contact details, experience and qualifications to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk

TPN launches next phase of development with a brand new look

TPN launched its new brand alongside details of its development plan at its National Partner Meeting on 6 October 

 THE Pallet Network (TPN) has revealed its brand new look while sharing details of its 2020 achievements and plans for the future.

Key points:

• New looks emphasises the network of collaboration: TPN is a Partner Powered Alliance
• Volumes up 18% year on year, and two years ahead of forecast
• Ethos of excellence and mutual benefit unchanged
• TPN Ireland now completely integrated with UK network on single software platform
• Hub extension adds 43% more productivity
• Purpose-built Mega Hub planned
• Rate increases postponed to help UK plc
• Building on 2020 achievements to evolve network to next level

TPN’s new brand is fresh, modern and restates the network’s core activity and market placement – THE Pallet Network – while emphasising its unique Partnership culture.

“Our network has always had a collaborative ethos and we have strengthened and developed these commercial and operational links, not just between our Partners and the Hub but between the regional depots themselves,” says MD Mark Duggan. “This opens a whole new vista of collaborative logistics in which Partner companies can have a standards-based framework for developing new commercial opportunities.”

2020 has been a challenging year for the whole world, but TPN Partners have all continued to operate at the highest performance levels in the sector. The network is currently processing 103,000 pallets a week and volumes continue to grow.

Duggan says: “Quality of service is always our most important benchmark and while this year’s volumes have been challenging we have maintained a sector-leading performance level.

“This has been helped by the addition of 60,000sq ft of extra space to our Minworth Hub which allows us to raise simultaneous loading from 40 to 57 trailers.

“We have now decided to design and build our own bespoke Mega Hub, in order to future-proof operations,” says Duggan.

The ongoing pandemic, Brexit and the possibility of recession have all been factored into this decision.

TPN has also taken the decision, following its annual rate review, to postpone rate increases.

“This is a delicate decision because costs are rising for our Partners and we need to ensure that their pricing is always sustainable and allows them to invest appropriately,” says Duggan. “However, we do feel that UK plc needs all the help it can get.”

The current growth rate is 18% above 2019 levels. However, there are too many causes for business uncertainty in the next six months to know whether this growth level will be sustained.

TPN has also completed an 18-month project to roll out its Connect software platform across the entire Irish network. Customers sending pallets to or from Ireland will now benefit from complete visibility across both networks, with track and trace, ePOD and notifications available in a single dashboard.

TPN Ireland’s 24 Partner companies also have access to the routing, transport management, real time visibility of bookings and a host of commercial tools which have long been available to TPN’s UK Partners.

“In technology terms the two networks are now totally integrated and aligned. This project went live in late summer and has been very successful,” says Duggan.

“This is win-win for our sister network, TPN and all of our customers. Given the uncertainty of the future protocols for freight passing over the Irish borders, it can only be an advantage for both networks to be operating on one aligned platform to deal with any future customs clearance requirements.”

 

­

TPN signs enterprising provider to major logistics groups CWM Transport

Basingstoke-based CWM Transport says TPN was the only network it would consider based on service quality and resilience during COVID lockdown

14 September 2020 Minworth UK:   TPN – THE Pallet Network, has signed new-to-networks Basingstoke-based CWM Transport after the owners indicated they would like to diversify.

The two-year-old company, which has developed an excellent reputation for providing dedicated full- load haulage between depots for major logistics groups, such as Fedex/TNT and Amazon, goes live on 14 September.

CWM director Carl Wood says drops in freight volumes during the COVID lockdown made him realise the importance of diversifying from the full-load haulage the company specialised in.

“During lockdown we were still delivering for major customers but the only network we saw on the motorways was TPN. That told me which network to call,” he says. “And a very profitable call it was.”

He continues: “I worked as a driver for 20+ years after leaving the army, and I’ve been in and out of many Hubs. Some of the networks aren’t very professional at all. By contrast TPN’s Hub operation is very well organised.”

CWM is growing fast, with another five vehicles and two trailers on order for September delivery.

“We believe strongly in investing in the right tools for the job, and performing to a very high standard,” says Wood. “Palletised freight distribution will be a different skill set for us, but TPN’s onboarding procedure is so thorough that we’ll all be completely familiar with every aspect of it by the time we start.”

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We are very pleased to welcome such an agile and energetic young company to the network. I have no doubt they will be an asset to TPN and we in turn will set them up for success.

“COVID has shown us that the right pallet network can provide a lifeline not only to its haulage partners but also to those customers whose volumes fell below full-load levels,” says Duggan. “We have always believed that network freight should be one part of a wider haulage portfolio for most of our partners because that offers them and their customers’ maximum resilience and security.”

 

RT Page helps major manufacturer deliver 'life-saving' equipment to Bristol hospitals

RT Page and Sons has delivered life-saving ventilators to NHS hospitals in Bristol, on a non-profit basis.

The West-Sussex based TPN Member has been supporting a major manufacturing customer which responded to the government’s call for new suppliers of the urgently needed medical equipment.

“This is one of those situations where everyone has to do what they can as effectively as they can,” says RT Page MD Nick Tree. “The manufacturers have stepped up and produced excellent equipment as quickly as possible. We in turn have provided the logistics to get these pieces of kit into ICUs in Bristol as quickly as possible, so that they can be used to save lives.

“We had no interest in making a profit in this instance,” says Nick. “It’s simply our small contribution to saving lives.”

The Arundel-based company is better known as a major European events specialist, being responsible for ensuring that all the staging and equipment for major acts is packed up and delivered to locations around the world for sell-out tours. However, it also has a strong domestic logistics division, and is a Member of THE Pallet Network.

“We help our clients, whatever their need, whether that is a worldwide tour, or a bespoke local solution,” says Nick. “If it’s logistics, it’s our kind of job.”

Like the rest of the TPN network, RT Page has continued working throughout the lockdown period, supporting essential deliveries, existing and new customers and the increased demand for home delivery.

TPN's recycling scheme a resounding success

THE Pallet Network's  (TPN) pallet recycling scheme has saved more than 80 tonnes of broken and end of-life-pallets from landfill in its first two months.

The scheme allows TPN's Partner hauliers to take expired pallets to the Hub using empty space in their trunk vehicles. They are collected from the Hub and sent to be re-used as chipboard or burned in carbon-neutral power stations. The scheme is entirely free to TPN's Partners.

The pallet recycling scheme was launched in mid-July and had already saved 80.4 tonnes of pallets by the end of September.

Hauliers usually have to pay to dispose of broken pallets and there are few environmentally friendly options open to them. The scheme also saves TPN Partners money, prevents unnecessary waste and lowers the carbon footprint for the whole supply chain, including TPN customers.

TPN MD Mark Duggan says: “We always seek solutions which benefit everyone, because that guarantees success. We’re very pleased to have pioneered a solution for the industry and would love to inspire other companies to do the same.”

TPN worked hard to make its pallet recycling plan a reality, despite the enormous challenges to everyone in the UK of the COVID pandemic. "This year has tested everyone's ingenuity and resolve in all manner of ways," says Duggan. "However it's very important to keep sight of other ambitions and goals. It is still important to minimise the environmental impact we have, as well as to keep producing innovative solutions for our Partners' operational challenges.  

"We are very glad we launched this scheme, and have been thrilled at how successful and popular it has been."

Operations Controller vacancy

About the Operations Controller role at TPN

The Operations Controller role is instrumental in the efficient running of our night operation, using data and information to help ensure the shift runs to optimum levels.  

You will need to have excellent communication skills, be competent in data analysis and have knowledge of cross dock warehouse operations.  

• Collating and analysing KPIs
• Monitor and review quality and productivity using data available
• Proactively communicate with our customers
• Support Team Leaders in managing their teams by providing information
• Provide an effective shift handover report
• Support the team to organise, plan, develop and utilise resource
• Compiling of incident paperwork
• Be proactive in identifying potential problems and communicate to the relevant Manager/Team/Customer as early as possible
• Review data to alleviate saturation areas
• Monitoring the Time and Attendance system

The role is 45 hours per week and requires shift work based on a 2 week rotation. Nine-hour shifts are worked between 7pm to 7am and usual patterns are 7pm to 4am and 10pm to 7am.

To apply, please submit your CV to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk by 30th October        

Read a full list of our employee benefits.

TPN is THE Pallet Network – We enable regional distribution specialists to provide a first class national service to UK business customers. We offer an efficient, cost-effective palletised freight delivery with unbeatable service levels. We handle approx. 20,000 pallets a night and have almost 120 Partner companies, with 130+ depot locations around the UK. We believe we lead the field in terms of performance, depot numbers and pallet volumes because we do not accept anything but fantastic service.

TPN Ireland integrates with Connect for complete visibility

THE Pallet Network (TPN) has just completed the roll out of its comprehensive software platform Connect to all 24 hauliers in sister network TPN Ireland. This means customers shipping pallets from the UK to Ireland, or vice versa, have complete visibility of their pallets all the way.

“Integrating all of our Partner companies in Ireland into our single platform has been an 18-month project, but will bring huge benefits for all our customers and for those hauliers,” says MD Mark Duggan.

Eamon Sullivan, group chief executive of TPN Ireland, says: “This gives our Partners access to the same routing, and countless commercial and operational tools within Connect, but it also gives our customers access electronic proof of delivery, and complete track and trace whether their pallet is in the UK or Ireland.”

MBO for TPN Partner LTS Global Solutions

TPN Partner LTS Global Solutions has completed a successful management buy-out (MBO), setting the business on route to grow by more than 40% in the next five years.

Established in 1999 as a transport operator, Birmingham-based LTS is now a total logistics provider offering global supply chain solutions specialising in ocean, air and rail services, third party logistics (3PL) and fulfilment solutions. It has also thrived as a Partner of TPN, offering UK and international palletised freight distribution.

The company currently employs 60 people at its Midlands hub and plans to create at least six new jobs next year, as well as moving to new larger premises by 2022.  

The MBO, which was completed in mid-November 2020, will enable LTS Global Solutions to focus on areas of growth such as import/export and e-fulfilment, which is becoming even more important as a result of the current Covid-19 outbreak.

TPN has been a crucial part of the company's strategy, allowing cost-effective and timely movements of smaller consignments. It also means LTS has an effective mechanism for dealing with the rapid growth in home deliveries created by the Covid 19 restrictions.

Leading the MBO team is current managing director Dave Hands and Mirza Baig, LTS’s director of international services.  

Hands says: “Our key markets are construction, retail and manufacturing, where we provide a wide range of added-value logistics services. This is where we differentiate ourselves from our competitors – providing customers with more than just transport services, rather complete, business critical logistics solutions.

"TPN is a vital ingredient in those solutions, meaning that we can as easily handle small numbers of pallets to disparate destinations as we can ship large dedicated loads around the world. Our customers require that flexibility."

TPN runs daily services as usual to NI, Ireland and Europe backed by Customs-integrated IT platform

THE Pallet Network (TPN) is offering a proactively managed, end-to-end export solution to Ireland and mainland Europe for UK freight customers. Extensive IT investment ensures customers have all consignment and clearance details in a single platform. With no admin charges and complete customer support, TPN service is as extensive and resilient as ever. 

Key points:

• Full daily services to NI, Ireland and mainland Europe
• Full customs support with dedicated team
• Customs-integrated IT system, with necessary scale, data transparency and ease of use
• Hassle-free, fully supported service for customers
• NI clearances handled at no extra cost
• Broker support available 24-7

Commercial Manager Ian Large says: “All kinds of businesses count on THE Pallet Network to revolutionise how they meet the needs of their customers. With our technology-driven, end to end export solution, we’re helping businesses big and small with shipping to Ireland and mainland Europe.”

Pre-Brexit customer surveys showed customers wanted a friction-free solution.   TPN therefore ensured that its significant IT investment concentrated on simplifying the processes involved to make customers’ and Partners’ lives easier.

Large says that the company ensured that its systems would be sufficiently integrated and resilient to make export declarations easy for all its customers and network partners.

TPN has a dedicated service which runs to the Republic of Ireland and trailers have been successfully despatched nightly since early January. “To all intents and purposes, it’s ‘new normal’ business as usual,” says Large.

The majority of businesses haven’t had to consider freight forwarding at this level in decades – usually not within the memory of current staff - so TPN created a specific support team to help customers find solutions and to guide them through the customs maze.

TPN worked with HMRC directly to feedback and resolve early problems with the government’s GVMS system which generates clearance codes. It shared the resulting workaround with the entire industry on social media.

“This is a time when we all need to pull together to make sure that our economy remains resilient and that freight reaches the people who need it,” says Large. “Our social media feeds have all the information we’ve discovered about how to use GVMS effectively.”

However, if customers are uncertain about HMRC’s TTS and GVMS systems, TPN staff will handle all the necessary Customs clearance for Irish freight – at no extra cost.

“We don’t believe that people should have to pay extra to move their goods over an internal border,” says Large. “If customers want help, we’ll help them. That’s what good service looks like.”

While government systems are technically free to use, it can be complicated and time-consuming creating entries, so TPN has removed that hassle and cost for customers by completing the required TTS & GVMS entries centrally, free of charge.

Large says the network’s approach to Brexit was the same as for every other issue, whether lockdown, or operational excellence.

“We problem solve, we adapt, and we drive for excellence,” he says. “Whatever the procedural challenges of Brexit – and there have been many – we’ve had a long time to invest and prepare and we’ve used that time to innovate and create the solution that our customers need.”

TPN ran online workshops throughout 2020 to educate its Partners and customers about the protocols and how to use its newly expanded and HMRC-friendly consignment management system. This means that the majority of its customers can feel more confident with all the new requirements.

“The TPN Connect integration has allowed us to bring acuity, transparency and intelligence to what would otherwise have been unfamiliar systems for network customers,” says Large.

Services to mainland Europe are also running without issue. TPN XPort, the network’s enhanced international services sends regular freight services to 27 countries.

“Our network Partners are doing a smashing job,” says Large. “They are very experienced at international freight movements within mainland Europe and elsewhere and so we can offer as seamless a service as possible. If customers need more or specific support, we have a 24-hour broker support service, so wherever the pallet is destined for, customers need only ask and we’ll find the solution they need.”

TPN services remain at a best value rate, with no extra costs passed onto customers for NI, and competitive online and broker supported export and import services if chosen. Customers can, of course, use their own broker to make their clearances if they choose.

“There has been much talk in the past 12 months of ‘the new normal’. The truth is that for us at TPN, excellence is our normal.   What we say is what we do. We look ahead, we adapt, we innovate rather than imitate, and we ensure that whatever the circumstances, we deliver a genuinely excellent, resilient service,” says Large. “Changing circumstances don’t change our ability, our determination or our job – which is to be THE Pallet Network.”

Become a Class 1 driver at our Dagenham depot

Our Dagenham depot is a fast-growing operation in RM9. We're looking for both Class 1 and Class 2 drivers for day shifts.

Working as a LGV driver, you will be responsible for the safe delivery and collection of palletised goods to a variety of customers from our depot in Dagenham, as well as trunking duties. You'll drive both Class 1 and Class 2 vehicles, depending upon the task in hand.

Some duties will involve:

• Ensuring vehicles are operated in accordance with legal and company requirements
• Observing current health and safety regulations and company procedures
• Ensuring goods are delivered safe and secure keeping your vehicle in good condition
• Loading and unloading the vehicle via tail lift with pallet truck
• Completing delivery paperwork
• Confirming deliveries via electronic device.

You will need the following to be eligible for this job:

• The correct category of driving licence
• No more than 6 penalty points
• A valid Driver Qualification Card (DQC)/ Driver CPC
• A valid Digital Tachograph Card
• Physically fitness due to the nature of the role, as yoou will be dealing with heavy goods
• Fluency in English, as you will be in frequent communication with colleagues and customers

Benefits Include

• Competitive Salary
• Company uniform

If you're interested in joining one of London's  best logistics outfits, contacts jobs@tpnmail.co.uk with your CV and contact details

Class 1 driver night trunking at Dagenham

Our Dagenham depot is growing fast and we need more skilled Class 1 (C+E) drivers for our night shift.

You will be responsible for the safe collection and delivery of TPN trunk trailers from Dagenham to the TPN Minworth hub. You'll also do other driving jobs as required.

Duties include:

• Ensuring vehicles are operated in accordance with legal and company requirements
• Observing current health and safety regulations and company procedures
• Delivering goods in a safe and secure manner and condition
• Keeping your vehicle ship-shape
• Collecting and delivering trunk freight
• Completing delivery paperwork
• Confirming deliveries electronically

You'll need the follwing to be eligible for this job:

• The correct category on driving licence
• No more than 6 penalty points
• A valid Driver Qualification Card (DQC)/ Driver CPC
• A valid Digital Tachograph Card
• Physical fitness due to the nature of the role
• Fluency in English as you'll be in frequent contact with colleagues and customers
• Initiative and flexibility

Benefits Include

• Competitive Salary
• Company uniform

If you feel the pull of the highway at night, then contact jobs@tpnmail.co.uk with your CV and contact details.

GC Distribution company wins FORS Gold

GC Express, an associate company of TPN Partner GC Distribution, has become part of the select number of companies to win FORS Gold, the highest accolade of the voluntary logistics standard.

The Purfleet-based company enjoys many London-based and construction-sector contracts and so proving complete legal compliance and sector-leading safety is extremely important to its operation.

GC Group’s FORS champion Claire Rickards says the company achieved FORS Bronze in 2012 and FORS Silver in 2014. This involved fitting safety features to its fleet such as blind spot cameras and audible alarms for the protection of vulnerable road users.

Since the company embarked on its FORS journey it has seen many benefits and that improvement is continual. Claire says that between 2019 and 2020 the fleet has seen a 2% reduction in fuel use; almost 20% cut in emissions pollutants including N0_x, CO₂ and particulates; and a reduction in on-road incidents.

The company has also undertaken extensive driver training to ensure that drivers are more protective and aware of vulnerable road users; minimise noise pollution when driving, parking, loading or unloading; and benefit from all the onboard safety equipment which helps them to be more aware of the hazards around them.

“It is extremely important to lots of our clients that we are FORS compliant, and it has brought us substantial benefits, including in our fleet insurance,” says Rickards. “It made sense for us to keep going on this journey and proving exactly how good we are. We are very proud to have achieved this accolade and we’ll continue to make our fleet as sustainable and safety-conscious as possible.”

Although a separate company, legally and operationally, GC Express shares GC Distribution's operating base, and the two companies have a common shareholder.

TPN Partner GC Distribution also expects to achieve FORS Gold in the near future.

Eezehaul General Manager - Logistics

Eezehaul is the largest delivery partner within The Pallet Network so it is a very busy and successful operation. We are now looking for a General Manager to lead our unique and customer focused Transport and Pallet Network Operations team.

You will be responsible for leading a safe, compliant and efficient operation by ensuring the company service levels are achieved at all times while listening to the customers’ requirements and striving to exceed their expectations. You will also be working to achieve the depot revenue and profit target in line with the annual budget set, by the efficient use of all resources.

Duties include:

• Oversee day-to-day operations by liaising with drivers, customers and office-based colleagues
• Direct reports of 10+ operations office staff including probation reviews & appraisals
• Ensure effective communication across the shifts so all areas of the operation are aware of the transport and resource plans
• Recruit and onboard your team, which includes interviewing and training
• Develop strategic operating plans that reflect the longer-term objectives
• Manage all KPI performance and provide KPI reports to the Directors on a timely basis
• Represent the company to customers and professional associations
• Seek out opportunities for expansion and growth by developing new business relationships

You’ll need the following to be eligible for this job:

• Have a Logistics Distribution background with previous experience of running a depot operation
• Be CPC National / CPC Internationally qualified
• Have a minimum of 5+ years Transport Management experience
• Have managed in excess of 80+ staff previously.
• Have managed budget in excess of £10M
• Be commercially aware and results driven
• The ability to motivate and lead people
• Be capable of managing multiple priorities, working to critical deadlines and objectives

Benefits include:

• Salary - £50,000
• Company Pension scheme
• 20 Days + 8 Bank Holidays
• Additional Company benefits 

For a full job description, please see here. To apply for this position send your CV to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk.

TPN pallet recycling scheme doubles monthly input

TPN’s scheme for free recycling of broken and expired pallets proves huge environmental and commercial success

22 February 2021 Minworth UK: THE Pallet Network’s pallet recycling scheme which allows Partners to take their expired pallets to the Hub for use in carbon-neutral energy generation, has saved 300 tonnes of wood from landfill in its first six months.

January’s total input to MDF or energy production reached 78 tonnes – and that does not include the pallets TPN salvaged for upcycling and re-use.

“We’re very proud of this scheme and of how wholeheartedly our Partners have committed to ensuring that their end of life pallets do not meet unsustainable ends,” says commercial director Allen Rees.

Typically hauliers face large bills for sending broken or expired pallets to landfill or resort to burning them, which can cause air pollution and unmitigated carbon release.

TPN’s scheme encourages its haulier Partners to use spare trailer space to transport broken pallets to the central Hub in Minworth, where they are sorted and loaded into a trailer bound for a recycling centre. The service is free of charge to Partners, and because it uses spare trailer space, reduces the carbon footprint off the scheme itself.

The scheme started in July 2020, and had recycled 144 tonnes of pallets by November, an average of 28 tonnes a month. However, by mid-February it had more than doubled these figures with January alone contributing 78 tonnes.

“This is a typical TPN solution, in that it is win-win for everyone. We can provide a free solution for our Partners, which saves them the cost of disposal,” says Allen. “More importantly we are also lowering the carbon footprint of the industry and removing the strain on local landfills all over the UK.”

He says that TPN has always intended this scheme to inspire other logistics companies to take similar action and is delighted that TPN.ie has started to accept Partner pallets for its own carbon-neutral energy generation plant.

“The best solutions benefit everyone so it makes sense for everyone to participate, or to find or create a similar alternative,” says Rees. “The carbon footprint of the logistics sector is substantial and it is incumbent on us all to innovate in finding ways to combine environmental sustainability with commercial sustainability.”

News Transport supports local charities

Bedfordshire-based TPN Partner News Transport has won the February round of the TPN Charity Draw and has donated £500 to the Keech Cottage Hospice Care in Luton and The Captain Tom Foundation.

About the chosen charities

Keech Cottage Hospice Care in Luton provides free and specialist care for both adults and children who have life-limiting and terminal illnesses in Luton and south Bedfordshire. Keech Cottage is in News Transport’s patch and has cared for relatives of the team.

The Captain Tom Foundation supports four incredible charities supporting metal health, ex Service personnel and their families as well as adults and kids who are affected by life-limiting illnesses or are terminally ill. News Transport wants to honour Captain’s Tom support of the NHS by donating to his foundation.

The TPN Charity Draw receives a £10 monthly donation from each of our 100+ depots and the winning depot, generated at random, chooses which charity to support. The depot can use up to £500 of the money to reward staff, and the remainder is donated. However, many choose to donate all of their winnings.  This is an important way for TPN to support those charities and causes which are important to our regional Partners. 

Become a Class 2 driver at our Dagenham depot

Our Dagenham depot is a fast-growing operation in RM9. We're looking for  Class 2 drivers for day shifts.

Working as a LGV driver, you will be responsible for the safe delivery and collection of palletised goods to a variety of customers from our depot in Dagenham, as well as trunking duties. You'll drive both Class 1 and Class 2 vehicles, depending upon the task in hand.

Some duties will involve:

• Ensuring vehicles are operated in accordance with legal and company requirements
• Observing current health and safety regulations and company procedures
• Ensuring goods are delivered safe and secure keeping your vehicle in good condition
• Loading and unloading the vehicle via tail lift with pallet truck
• Completing delivery paperwork
• Confirming deliveries via electronic device.

You will need the following to be eligible for this job:

• The correct category of driving licence
• No more than 6 penalty points
• A valid Driver Qualification Card (DQC)/ Driver CPC
• A valid Digital Tachograph Card
• Physically fitness due to the nature of the role, as yoou will be dealing with heavy goods
• Fluency in English, as you will be in frequent communication with colleagues and customers

Benefits Include

• Competitive Salary
• Company uniform

If you're interested in joining one of London's  best logistics outfits, contacts jobs@tpnmail.co.uk with your CV and contact details

GPT client helps vaccination efficiency

North-West-based Reelvision Print is producing the cartons in which vaccines are held at vaccination points and hospitals. The cartons are shipped to another manufacturer for the addition of vial inserts by TPN member GPT Logistics.

The cartons make the dispensing of both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine more manageable for a number of NHS trusts. The vaccine arrives in very large batches and the new cartons split the vaccine vials into smaller batches, making the distribution of it throughout hospitals and NHS trusts more straightforward.

Quality assurance manager at Reelvision Print Paul Sharples says: “The production response time from Reelvision Print has been outstanding and all orders received were processed through to manufacturing and dispatched in just a few days, committing to unrivalled delivery times.”

These deliveries were made via TPN, and he adds: “GPT Logistics is very good.”

Forklift truck drivers night shift, Northampton

Due to increased volume and expansion, we require a number of forklift truck drivers to join our night shift in Northampton. These are permanent positions.

Our Nrthampton Hub has a small team of 8 FLT drivers, managing approximately 1,700 pallets during the night operation. Hence we need top-notch FLT drivers to be able to meet our excellent customer service standards.

Applicants must have a minimum of one year's experience as a counterbalance forklift driver.

It will help to have some pallet etwork experience, but it isn't essential.  

You'll work 45 hours per week, usually between the hours of 8pm -5am (shift will be confirmed at offer stage).  

Please send your CV and contact details to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk

 

Irish deliveries are roaring success for THE Pallet Network

THE Pallet Network (TPN) is successfully sending four trailer loads a day into Dublin and a further three into Belfast, and has been running successful and numerous daily loads since the beginning of January.

Head of commercial services Ian Large says this puts TPN considerably ahead of its competition in the pallet network sector and the wider logistics industry, as too many other logistics operations are leaving customers unsupported.

“We have customs-integrated IT systems and we’ve set up extensive support options for customers, including a dedicated central team and brokerage support,” he says. “This makes all the difference when you want every clearance to go smoothly. Too many other logistics operations are under-estimating the level of support customers need.”

SPS products – of animal and plant origin – are particularly challenging for customers who often do not know their product falls within the rules. However, TPN continue to work with its partners and educate them in the requirements.

“We consolidate all of our SPS products into a specific load so that the entire trailer can be inspected and passed for clearance at the port,” he says. “This means the lengthier procedures do not slow down our other freight.

Large gives great credit to TPN Ireland, its sister network in Dublin, Independent Cargo Express & AM Nexday. “Their support and commitment to keeping our freight moving between Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the Republic has been invaluable.”

In 2020 TPN and TPN Ireland collaborated to roll TPN’s comprehensive IT platform Connect out across all Irish Partner companies, giving transparency and shared data for all consignments either side of the Irish Sea.

“Our early investment in making our IT systems customs-functional and consistent between ourselves and our EU partners has been a boon in delivering friction-free GB to Ireland freight for our customers.”

LPC sees demand double

Leeds Parcel Company (LPC) has acquired two more top-weight vehicles to meet customer demand, as well as promoting its depot manager to director.

Two DAF Tractor units, along with a new 18-tonne rigid and two brand-new trailers have joined the fleet to accommodate high demand.

“We are currently inputting 89% more pallets than we did at this stage last year and deliveries are also up by 15%, hence the constant need for new vehicles,” says MD Dave Wilby.  

LPC is one of the top five inputters into the TPN network.

“Our growth is so strong that we have added 12 new staff members in the past 12 months, bring our total workforce to more than 70,” he says.

Tom Roberts has been with the company now for 11 years and for the last five years has been depot manager. With his excellent understanding of the business and the operation, he is ideally placed to be operations director.

“Tom knows the business inside out and he is extremely capable,” says Wilby. “Giving him a wider remit will enable us to grow the business and continue to raise standards.”

Roofing specialist Garland says Safe is fantastic

Avonmouth-based The Garland Company UK manufactures high-performance commercial roofing solutions, including environmentally sustainable roofs, cold applied protective coatings and other water-tight construction products. It sells only to approved construction companies and delivers its non-hazardous products through Bristol-based Safe Transport and TPN.

“Our motto is ‘service is our best product’ and to find a transport company who lives up to that is fantastic,” says Garland operations manager Nikki Burton. “Safe’s customer service is second to none, and we have a great relationship with them. They communicate very well with us and liaise with our customers.”

Safety is paramount as these products are often delivered to large, live sites such as schools, universities and hospitals.

“Our hauliers must meet stringent safety procedures, particularly with COVID, and our deliveries require tail-lifts and pump trucks as a minimum,” says Nikki.

The company can send out up to 200 pallets a week during winter and 350 pallets a week during the summer. Despite repeated lockdowns, Garland has had its busiest year because many public buildings have undergone significant maintenance while closed.

It started using Safe Transport in May 2020 after the first lockdown period, and Burton says they are extremely happy with the choice.

“All our deliveries must be made in the morning, because roofing is exclusively carried out early in the day,” says Nikki. “We can accept orders up until 12 noon and have confidence they will be delivered the following morning.”

TPN invests in bespoke elearning platform

THE Pallet Network (TPN) has invested in e-learning platform HebeData, which it is populating with entirely bespoke content to complement the work of onsite trainers at all levels of the operation.

Head of HR Lynn Statham says: “This is a substantial investment in the skills of our workforce and the quality of our operation. Although the platform itself is very cost-effective, we are developing our own modules, videos and learning opportunities which can be completely tailored to the role and to our operation.”

TPN has role-specific trainers on both day and night shifts, for instance, to teach and refresh fork-lift truck skills. Statham says the new content will provide an additional opportunity for staff to consolidate their learning and prove their understanding through quizzes and online assessments.

“It is very helpful to team members if the terminology in the training material matches their experience of the job. Therefore, generic courses are only of limited use. Our pallet network environment is not a generic logistics environment, either operationally or in the quality standards and safety protocols we have in place,” she says.

“The HebeData learning platform will enable us to teach our teams using the in-house terminology and with reference to our specific standards and protocols.”

HebeData is created by EDataChase. MD Mark Stratford says: “HebeData was built to create, deliver, manage and track training and information efficacy across whole businesses.   The system is fully mobile and ‘owned’ by every user, to encourage engagement. TPN has worked with Edatachase to develop the system to build a full document management and understanding tracker for the business.”

Key advantages of the system include: 

• support for remote learning
• learning from many media formats and sources
• operation-centric and completely suited to the specific role
• a clear audit trail of learning undertaken and understood
• proof for employee of training completed
• improves duty of care documentation
• content can evolve in line with regulatory, operational and customer needs.

TPN launches the first ePOD-based tail-lift checklist for driver safety

THE Pallet Network (TPN) is the first network to have included the driver risk assessment system for tail-lift deliveries as part of its ePOD application.

The Driver Checklist is the suggestion of the new industry best practice Tail-lift and Pallet Truck Safety Guidance Document, which launched earlier this month. Its aim is to improve driver and public safety during tail-lift deliveries.

Drivers should use this checklist to do dynamic risk assessments of each tail-lift delivery in order to ensure their own and the public’s safety.

TPN is the first pallet network to go live with the ePOD risk assessment capability, having developed it into the app before the guidance was released.

TPN MD Mark Kendall says: “We always look ahead to what the network or the market will need next so that we are ready to go when the need arises. We believe in being proactive and not reactive, particularly when it comes to safety and good service.”

The Tail-lift Delivery and Pallet Truck Guidance suggests that drivers check the following during their risk assessment:

• That the vehicle is parked safely and without causing obstruction
• The ground is level and firm
• The pallet is in a suitable condition to be moved
• Pedestrians are at a safe distance
• The pallet can be moved and manoeuvred without causing injury
• There is a suitable route from the vehicle to the point of delivery
• The driver considers the delivery can be made safely.

TPN driver retires after 21 years of a ‘great experience’

We talk to a driver who saw pallet networks on their first night – and spent his last night in the business at the best of them.

Paul Allingham has recently retired from 21 years as an HGV driver, with the last 11 of them spent night trunking for TPN depot Eezehaul.

“Driving is a very responsible job but if you like travelling and you love meeting people, it’s a wonderful career,” he says.

Paul has wide experience of the industry. He remembers being at one rival network Hub on its first night of operation, and has worked at three different TPN central Hubs over the years.

“I’ve seen TPN grow, and the operation thrive. I often wonder what people who have never seen the Hub night operation would think to watch it. You can’t imagine the speed and efficiency of it, with so many HGVs being loaded at once and the forklifts flying everywhere. It’s remarkable but done so skilfully and safely.

“The guys on the ground have such knowledge as well. You drive in and they instantly know which depot you are from and which bay you should proceed to. It’s all very slick and well organised.

“They are a very friendly crew. When they heard it was my last night, they gave me a lovely send off.”

Paul has done many jobs – and many driving jobs – in his career, but he says none of them were as fun or fulfilling as working for TPN depot, Eezehaul.

“It’s a lovely place to work. I had some fantastic colleagues which made it all easier, and I particularly liked the female balance in the management team. It changes the culture and takes away the hard edge that you find in some businesses.”

He says those outside the industry have no idea of the diversity of product carried through networks. “People ask me what I carry in the truck and I can only say: “Pretty much everything.”

Although many HGV drivers say they feel unvalued, that has not been Paul’s experience. “I always did the job to my level of satisfaction, and was always professional. I had bosses who respected that. I always felt very appreciated at Eezehaul. They were very good to me, and not just professionally – they also helped me through some tough times, personally.”

Paul is now gearing himself up for a life of leisure but says retirement is a complex transition. “It’s more of a shock to the system than you would imagine, suddenly not working. I’ve also realised how very tired I am, emotionally, mentally and physically. I’m going to give myself at least six months to rest.”

Then he says, he’ll dedicate time to his “seriously expensive hobby. I love fishing. I’m going to be out by the water.”

In the longer term, Paul says he will help out as a relief driver for Eezehaul and keep his hand in with his old life.

“Driving is a great life if you are suited to it,” he says. “I’ve been very lucky to have had great colleagues, and a great career.”

Eezehaul financial director Jane Jones says: “We’ll really miss Paul. He’s a lovely man and has been a great asset to Eezehaul.”

Final words from Paul? “Thanks for the experience. I’d be happy to come back.”

 

TPN appoints new Finance Director

THE Pallet Network (TPN) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Finance Director, Joanne Davis.

Joanne was formerly part of the prestigious financial consultancy firm Grant Thornton, and became very familiar with TPN’s teams and operations during many years of working side by side with the company as their auditor.

Joanne has an honours degree in Accounting and Financial Management and Mathematics from Sheffield University and holds the ICAEW ACA (Chartered Accountant) qualification. She joined Grant Thornton after graduating and progressed to the position of Senior Audit Manager.

TPN MD Mark Kendall says: “Joanne brings a wealth of experience and expertise to TPN. She is already a well embedded member of the senior management team and we know that she will be a great asset in contributing to the future growth, strategy delivery and continuing profitability of the network.”

Joanne says: “I’ve worked alongside TPN for a long time, so it felt very natural to join the company formally in 2019. I then worked alongside the former Finance Director Paul Robinson for over a year before undertaking a formal transition to fill the role.”

Mark says: “Paul Robinson spent many years helping to develop TPN’s strategy and manage its financial growth. We wish him every success with his future plans and while it is always sad to say goodbye to a friend and colleague, we could not have asked for a more qualified or enthusiastic candidate to replace him than Jo.”

Life begins at 30 for Ferryman

Gwent-based Ferryman celebrates its 30^th birthday this year, and has bought a silver limited edition Mercedes tractor in a celebratory wrap. The vehicle is one of only 35 in the UK.

Alys Hamar-Davies, social media manager at Ferryman says: “This is not just a celebration of our company, but of all the people who have helped us get here. Our team members, our customers, our suppliers and our fantastic fellow TPN depots.

Later this year, lockdown allowing, some of the Ferryman team are will abseil down the 80 feet tall Dragon Drop, in the Breacon Beacons, for Tenovus Cancer Care. The charity is special to the team, and Ferryman hopes to continue supporting it throughout 2021.

There have also been health benefits for the team. “There is a weight limit for the abseil, so it has been an incentive for some of our drivers to get fitter and shed a few post-Christmas pounds,” says Alys.

You can follow Ferryman’s birthday celebrations and fundraising efforts through the company’s twitter feed, or by following vlogging driver Jenko who will showcase the abseil and the special edition vehicle.

TPN signs global logistics expert Jeavons Eurotir

TPN signs global logistics expert Jeavons Eurotir

Birmingham-based, third-generation, family firm chooses full Partnership with TPN after using network for one year.

THE Pallet Network (TPN)  has signed leading multimodal specialist Jeavons Eurotir as a full Partner. The Birmingham-based family-run firm, which has expertise in international movements as well as national haulage, says TPN is a strong complement to its other services.

Jeavons has input client pallets to TPN for the past year through TPN Dagenham and found the service to be extremely good, says MD Shane Jeavons.

Its modern fleet comprises 30 vehicles, ranging from full weight artics to 7.5 tonne vans, variously equipped with Moffats or tail-lifts. All its drivers are ADR trained and it has two on-site Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers.

The current MD is the third generation of the Jeavons family to head up the company, with his grandfather founding it, and his father Darren Jeavons currently CEO. As such the company reputation is of enormous importance to them, and the choice of the right network partner was crucial.

“TPN is extremely reliable, and we were impressed with the network overall. We’ve visited the Hub several times now and it’s an excellent operation,” says Jeavons.

“We’re delighted to welcome Jeavons on-board,” says TPN MD Mark Kendall. “The past 12 months have been exceptionally challenging for everyone in logistics, so for a Partner to base its decision on our performance during those months is a great testament to TPN’s service resilience.

“We have no doubt that Jeavons will be an asset to the network, and we in turn aim to foster their further success, as we do with all our Partners.”

TPN’s onboarding service for new Partners is second to none, and involves an extensive investment in training, systems installation and on-the-ground support in the weeks running up to the Partner operation going live.

“We believe in setting our Partners up for success by ensuring they have all the training, help, support and systems they need,” says Kendall.

SCS Logistics doubles fleet numbers and upskills its team

SCS Logistics has raced into 2021 with permission to double its fleet to 40 trucks and 50 trailers, as the first stage of its five-year growth plan, and an impressive array of fresh training.

MD Sandra Cottam-Shea says her first order of business is to partner with the Road Haulage Association and TRS Training in order to run an industry specific apprenticeship programme. This will offer new skills to existing staff and bring the next generation onboard.

“We’ve been admirably supported by local colleges and educational centres over the years in terms of generic leadership and commercial courses, but RHA partner TRS has given us three transport-based courses,” she says. “This gives us the flexibility to support a brand-new entry or an established manager.”

Jordan Westbury is the company’s latest apprentice, undertaking the Supply Chain Operator-Traffic Office qualification. The two year training period will lead him through every aspect of planning, supply chain, administration and fleet compliance.

TPN manager Dan Wilson is enrolled on the level 3 Transport Manager Supervisor apprenticeship. This includes standard management skills alongside his Transport Manager CPC.

Financial director Sarah Metcalfe and operations manager Gary Hedges are both undertaking  Level 5 Operations/Department Manager apprenticeships. This takes two years and allows the individual to register as full Charted Management Institute CMI or ILM members. A further three years’ management experience will give them chartered management status.

Sandra says that while the benefits to the individuals and the organisation of all this training is huge, “the financial input is minimal and, in total, cheaper than putting one person through their TM CPC”.

She says: “I’m looking forward to working with everyone through this journey and learning as I go.”

Jays Logistics brings in new FORS Silver vehicles

Jays Logistics (South-West) has continued investing in its FORS Silver status with four new Renault rigid curtainsiders which will support TPN deliveries and collections. All kitted out to meet London’s demanding safety standards, the new vehicles will extend a new measure of protection to South-West roads.

“These vehicles meet the direct vision standard for London as well as the ultra-clean ULEZ standards which the capital insists on,” says commercial sales manager Ben Walker. “We want all our local vehicles to meet the highest standards and not just those which work in London.”

Jays has had a “surprisingly strong year”, according to Ben, who says pallet numbers have been particularly high. Despite all the challenges of unpredictable times, Covid, furlough, working from home and new protocols, our team has coped really well,” he says. “We’re very proud of how they have responded, day by day, and focused on the job in front of them.”

The team is doing far more home delivery now than previously, as a result of lockdown, and new local businesses have also recruited Jays’ help in getting their goods to customers.

TPN leads the way in improving conditions for HGV drivers

THE Pallet Network (TPN) is serving free evening meals to all its trunk drivers in a bid to inspire the UK logistics industry to improve conditions for HGV drivers and stem the worsening driver shortage.

The hot meals are provided in an on-site pop-up restaurant, with dedicated serving areas under a marquee and plenty of outdoor seating which allows for social distancing. The menus are carefully chosen to be popular but also nutritious, and the meal on offer varies each night.

The free meal scheme started three months ago and is available every week night from late evening until 4am. TPN provides almost 350 hot meals every night.

“Many of our drivers face long journeys, and we do not want them having to rely on snack food or over-priced service station fare,” says TPN MD Mark Kendall. “The least we can do for people driving for hours at night is make sure they have a free, hot meal awaiting them when they arrive at the Hub.”

In order to encourage healthy habits, drivers must pay for additional fizzy drinks and confectionery.

TPN’s Minworth Hub has always had full toilet, shower, and kitchen facilities, equipped with microwaves and toasters for driver use. It also has rest areas with TVs.

“We are very aware that many sites in the UK do not even provide the basic facilities which drivers need for human dignity, let alone places to make themselves comfortable and take the comfort and statutory rest breaks they need,” says Kendall.

“TPN has great driver facilities, with a rest room, access to TVs, shower, toilet facilities and a full kitchen,” he says. “However, we need to go further as a sector. We don’t want our drivers having to live off microwaved soup or toast. Anyone working the night shift is already forgoing family time and most social meals as they provide an essential service while most UK residents are in their beds.

“It is time we all started to think about what more we can do to ensure that drivers’ journeys are as easy and well accommodated as possible,” says Kendall.

Eezehaul appoints seasoned MD for strongest management team yet

Eezehaul Logistics has strengthened its management team by appointing ex-Prestons of Potto MD Allen Rees as MD, to work alongside current Directors, Jane Jones and Craig Wilson.

Allen Rees was formerly a general manager at Fagan and Whalley, and then MD at Prestons of Potto. His most recent appointment was as Commercial Director at TPN.

Rees says: “I enjoyed my time working with TPN’s 120 partners, but there is a definite satisfaction in going back to my roots running a transport operation. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to work with such a vibrant and strategically well-placed business.”

Jones will continue her role of Financial Director, which she has held for several years. As MD, she led the team through the twin challenges of Brexit and COVID. She will now assume a part-time position, focusing on finance, in order to fulfil family and other personal commitments.  

Wilson has been with the business for over 13 years, working his way up from Evening Supervisor to Operations Director.   He will now use his operational exertise to add value to Eezehaul’s customer experience, as he evolves into the role of Commercial Director over the coming months.

Eezehaul is a FORS Silver, full-service logistics operation near Gatwick. A founder Partner with TPN, it also offers warehousing, fulfilment, container management, dedicated haulage, same-day deliveries and ADR transport.

Eezehaul is a wholly owned subsidiary of  THE Pallet Network (TPN). TPN MD Mark Kendall says: “It’s essential for us to recognise the whole-person needs of every team member, which includes our most experienced and diligent directors. Jane and Craig have made a huge contribution to Eezehaul’s current success and future strategy, and we’re very lucky to be retaining their skills within the business.”

“That said, it was providential that Allen wanted to take on the role, given his undoubted pedigree in road transport. We’re sure that together Allen, Jane and Craig will form a formidable senior management team.”

Eezehaul has a strong reputation in the South-East as a first rate logistics operation and has substantial plans for future development.

TPN recruits network star Nada Marinovic for its development division

THE Pallet Network (TPN) is delighted to announce the appointment of Nada Marinovic as a Network Developer.

Nada joined TPN on 1 June and is responsible for identifying and recruiting the best independent regional transport companies into the network.

She was previously a director at the Hazchem Network, responsible for recruiting new members and growing the customer base of existing members.

With more than three decades of experience in ADR and distribution, working with networks and member depots, as well as her degree in chemical engineering, Nada could hand pick her next role. She chose TPN.

“I know TPN and its people. Of all the networks, TPN’s ethos is the best, the closest to the network ideal.

“TPN treats its Partner companies as customers and suppliers, and fosters their success. Too many of the networks are Hub-centric and believe the members are there for the Hub’s benefit. But without the members, there would be no Hub business.

“I think to do a job well you have to trust the company you work for and believe in its values,” she adds. “That’s why I chose TPN.”

Nada will work alongside the talented Kerry Rayner to recruit the best companies to the network. They have worked together before.

“It will be great to work with Kerry again. If I could choose someone to work beside me it would be Kerry,” says Nada. “I think we’ll do great things together.”

Nada is very aware of how the logistics industry still often undervalues female talent and is particularly glad that many of TPN’s most recent senior appointments have been women, including its finance director Joanne Davison, network developer Kerry Rayner, and its sales manager Sue Schofield.

TPN MD Mark Kendall says: “I’m delighted that Nada is joining us. She really could have picked any network position she wanted, so we are very pleased she has chosen TPN. Not just because she’ll be great in the role, but because she recognises TPN’s collaborative and mutually supportive ethos.”

TPN’s ethos sets it apart in the sector, says Mark, and ultimately all its successes and sector-leading service levels grow from that mutually supportive Partnership.

“TPN prides itself on Partnership,” he says. “The Hub supports all of our 130 Partners, commercially and operationally, and they support one another. Our mission is their success.”

TPN's unique pallet recycling scheme shortlisted in MT Awards

THE Pallet Network's pallet recycling scheme, which allows hauliers to bring broken or end of life pallets to the Hub for recycling free of charge, is a finalist in the Motor Transport Awards Low Carbon category.

TPN is the only pallet network to be a finalist in any category this year.

The recycling scheme started last July and has since recycled 515 tonnes of expired wood. The broken pallets go to make MDF or are used as fuel in carbon-neutral energy generation.

The scheme is very important environmentally for the following reasons:

• In total 41.1 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste goes into landfill annually in the UK.  
• Pallet networks deliver 28 million pallets a year in the UK - and all network Partners accumulate broken or expired pallets
• To send these pallets to commercial landfill costs £94.75 per tonne (April 2020 figures)
• Hauliers' other option is to burn them. Wood releases almost twice its dry weight in CO2 when burned (because trees are so good at 'drinking' atmospheric carbon over many years). Clearly burning pallets is not a good option environmentally.
• Wood burning also contributes up to particulate pollution, with domestic wood burners responsible for between 23 and 31% of all PM2.5 in inner cities.

The TPN recycling scheme is designed to inspire positive environmental action throughout logistics. Our 130 Partner depots in the UK have greater awareness of the issues and a sustainable method of dealing with this problematic waste stream.  

Furthermore our sister network in Ireland has opened a similar service for its 24 haulier Partners, and repurposes the broken pallets to run its own carbon-friendly power generator.  

TPN showcases its operational agility with second ‘pop-up’ Hub in Coventry

THE Pallet Network (TPN) has demonstrated its trademark agility by opening a second ‘pop-up’ Hub at Coventry which was transformed from empty industrial unit to modern Hub space in only one week.

Key points include:

• TPN has perfected its rapid response ‘pop up’ Hub model
• The system benefits Partners, premise owners and the network
• Modern logistics success requires strategic fixed assets and tactical agility
• TPN’s commitment to sustainable business means it adapts existing empty sites where possible
• Its rapid response team has now proved itself on two pop up Hubs and two depots, all achieved in remarkably short order

The Coventry Hub is in the Central City Industrial Estate and has 150,000 sq ft of space.

It will replace the pop-up facility the network opened in the unoccupied NEC during 2020. The NEC opportunity was identified, pursued and made operational in less than a week and, says TPN MD Mark Kendall, it also demonstrated one of TPN’s most important values: mutual benefit.

“I saw a news item one evening about the NEC’s lockdown losses and realised immediately that we could use the space while they couldn’t,” he said. “We contacted them, sent a team in, and had a fully functional Hub in former exhibition space within days. The NEC got a tenant and we got valuable extra space while we develop plans for our next Hub.”

TPN has done the same with the Coventry Hub, choosing a space which has been empty for some time. “We always look for the simplest and most beneficial solutions for all parties. We make things work,” says Mark.

A good relationship with Partners is an important part of the equation. “We consult our Partners, and keep them informed, and all those who use the NEC Hub were fully in agreement and aware of the switch to Coventry before it happened.

“We genuinely support and value our Partners and their response is to support us in return,” says Mark. “We are very grateful that the whole network is responsive and adaptable.”

The ‘Pop-up’ Model

The pop-up Hub model, which TPN invented, contributes to the network’s operational resilience. It means that any sudden or seasonal surge in volume can be rapidly met with extra Hub resource thus keeping vehicle turnaround times low for Partners.

“We have a long-term strategy for Hub development which includes new central Hub facilities,” says Mark. “However, large fixed assets will only ever be one part of a successful strategy.

“To have resilient service levels you need to plan well and react fast. The seasonal lulls in the market are gone, and volumes surges can be unpredictable, both in quantity and region.

“The pop-up Hubs are our fast-reaction mechanism and we’ve deployed it twice now with great success.”

TPN is very experienced at deploying its rapid response teams:

• It created its Preston and Northampton Hubs each within three weeks of Partners indicating demand.
• In 2019 they set up depots in Dagenham and Teesside, going from empty yard to fully compliant working transport operations in less than two weeks.
• The NEC and Coventry Hubs have both been fully fitted and made operational within one week of taking possession.

“Our teams are very practised and know their jobs. Whatever the network requires, we find an efficient, rapid solution,” says Group Transport Manager Lee Noble. “We can literally take sites from zero to hero in less than two weeks.”

Noble finds TPN’s directness refreshing. “There is no red tape. The senior management team is always talking to Partners and is very alive to any issue in the network.”

This same approach creates TPN’s first class on-boarding for new Partners, with specialist team members offering IT installation, training, and support in operations, marketing, sales and resource management.

“We invest in new Partners from the outset to set them up for success,” says Mark. “TPN is the ultimate can-do network.”

Operations coordinator - three month role

Would you like a summer stint as an Operations Coordinator at our Minworth Hub?

We have an opening for three months. This job could become permanent but it's not guaranteed.

Salary is £10.92ph for a 45 hour week. Shifts are nine hours between 6am and 7pm, Monday to Friday.

This is a super place to work. Busy, interesting, freindly. We won Pallet Network of the Year in 2019. It's an office-based role, customer-focused and busy.

Your duties will include:

• Dealing with customer queries by phone
• Maintinaing a good relationship with our Partner companies
• Managing data input and administration
• Dealing with any queries or issues promptly

You'll need:

• Great communication skills
• Basic to intermediate IT skills in Microsoft software
• Organisation and excellent attention to detail 
• Comfortable with a fast-paced environment
• Comfortable with mult-tasking

If this sounds like the perfect summer job for you, then send your CV to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.

Northern Partners ride to the rescue

THE Pallet Network (TPN) has seen some outstanding examples of inter-network support during the recent unprecedented peak in volumes.

An example of the comradeship and collaborative spirit unique to the TPN network is the unprompted offers of resources and aid between Partners when specific regions or depots are affected by unexpected surges in pallet volume.

Recently Glossop-based Nationwide Express Parcels (NEP) was hit by a sudden regional spike in deliveries which went above even the staggering growth level networks as a whole have seen.

When MD of York-based YDL Distribution and Logistics Paul McLaren realised NEP did not have the resource to manage all the deliveries single-handedly, and was facing a backlog, he rang neighbouring depots to see what help they could offer.

Leeds Parcel Company and Keighley-based McDowell Haulage and Distribution both agreed to join YDL in volunteering their collection and delivery fleets for a tranche of Saturday deliveries, to ensure that NEP could meet its service commitments.

“We know what it’s like to be challenged by unexpectedly high volume,” says Paul. “Other depots can either sit back and complain, or help out. At TPN, we help out.”

McLaren soon had a commitment of 11 vehicles and drivers which would be available to perform Saturday deliveries for NEP. The drivers agreed to reach NEP’s depot early on the Saturday morning and to take instruction from NEP’s transport manager.

In the event only three extra vehicles were needed and the other drivers stood down.

NEP directors and management expressed their gratitude and are now firmly back on track, saying it’s back to business as usual, thanks to their fellow network members.

“This was a completely unprompted act,” says TPN Mark Kendall. “It makes us extremely proud when our Partners show so clearly that our mantra of #OneTeamTPN is an operational reality for them. Their generosity and commitment to the good of the network was fantastic.”

TPN operates as a Partner Powered Alliance – a network based on the mutual benefit and mutual support of Hub and Partner companies.

“Everyone has marketing slogans but at TPN we live our ethos,” says Mark. “The Hub’s mission is to make Partner companies successful and the Partners respond by helping one another to succeed.

“As in this case, that goes way beyond treating other depots’ customers as your own. If our Partners see a need, they roll their sleeves up and help other depots in the network.”

There have been other examples of spontaneous help offered within the network, including Spartan Distribution taking trunks for Express Logistics, and Dartford-based Chemroal helping to make London deliveries outside its normal area.

TPN leads sector in introducing tail-lift surcharge

THE Pallet Network has taken the bold move of introducing a tail-lift surcharge to ensure Partners can invest to meet necessary safety guidance

THE Pallet Network (TPN) is introducing a per pallet surcharge for all tail-lift deliveries, as of 1 August 2021, in order to protect driver safety, service levels and Partner profitability.

The network is the first in the UK sector to take the courageous step of recognising the extra costs involved with tail-lift deliveries, and the levels of investment required of network Partners.

The surcharge follows the HSE-endorsed RHA Tail-lift and Pallet Truck Guidance Document which was published last month.

TPN MD Mark Kendall says: “We are committed to safe and sustainable business. That means that service offerings have to be matched with appropriate pricing to ensure continued investment and profitability.

“The UK pallet networks are being asked to do more tail-lift deliveries, particularly to residential addresses, than ever before but the sector has never addressed the price implications of this. Our commitment is to our Partners’ success in terms of service, safety and profitability and so it is incumbent upon us to take the lead.”

The surcharge is designed to address the following:

• The need for drivers to complete dynamic risk assessments at every site
• The need for extra investment in driver training
• Partner investment in electric pump trucks
• To allow Partners to adapt the original B2B model for consumer deliveries

It is essential to invest to improve the working conditions for drivers who are being asked to do increasingly difficult work, says Mark.

“Driver retention is a critical factor for our Partners and we need to ensure that drivers are equipped with the best tools for the job,” he says.

“The sector as a whole has been unwilling to price tail-lift deliveries in a sustainable manner because they fear losing volume,” Mark says. “However, TPN has always operated on the basis of quality, not volume.

“We believe customers will understand this change in pricing, and ensure that every tail-lift delivery is necessary and is to a suitable location.

“TPN is committed to service resilience and sustainable business and this is a necessary step in ensuring both,” he says.

TPN was also the first in sector to incorporate the driver checklist for tail-lift deliveries into its ePOD application within a week of the guidance being released.

According to the Association of Pallet Networks, residential deliveries grew to 18% of pallet volume overall in 2020. TPN has always had a lower level of B2C work than the sector average, but stresses that it is not only home deliveries which require tail-lifts.

“There is a danger of creating a false correlation between B2C and tail-lift deliveries. Any business without a formal and FLT-equipped delivery site often requires a tail-lift delivery,” says Mark.

Recycling pioneer B and H Haulage joins TPN

TPN has signed Erith-based B&H Haulage. The privately-owned company says it chose TPN for its honesty and positive ethos.

B&H Haulage has a fleet of 24 vehicles, plus plant, trailers and an innovative end-to-end plastic recycling plant which is one of the first in the country. Established in 2015, the company has grown up in the construction and waste management arena, becoming specialists in recycling and waste freight movements.

Director Simon Butcher says the company is always considering new growth opportunities, particularly in sustainable models, and palletised freight distribution is one of the more sustainable methods of logistics provision.

“We have worked alongside another network, so we already have experience of the market and palletised freight customers,” says Simon. “However, we really liked TPN’s honesty and their approach. They believe in making their depots successful and profitable, with sustainable pricing and good service. That works for us.

“We like to do a great job for the right money because that ensures all of our people still have jobs the following day.”

B&H Haulage will cover some Dartford postcodes and SE9 postcodes, such as Mottingham, New Eltham and Avery Hill.

TPN MD Mark Kendall says: “We’re delighted to welcome such a progressive and successful company into TPN. We know that B and H will be an asset to the network, and I’m sure they will be surprised and pleased to discover how supportive TPN and its Partners are.”

TPN has a sector-leading onboarding process for new Partners which ensures they have all the infrastructure, IT, skills and support they require before they go live.

“We believe in setting Partners up for success and giving as much support as they require,” says Mark. “Our whole business is built on Partnership between the Hub and Partners and between Partner depots. Collaboration gives the most sustainable business, the widest opportunities and the most environmentally friendly and profitable logistics environment.”

Read TPN News Summer 2021 edition

It's been another strange year so far with a lingering pandemic and enormous volumes. But there's also been sunshine, and charity work, and investments by our Partners in great customer service. We've taken steps to make tail-lift deliveries safer for our drivers and the public.  

Our Partners have invested in new premises, new vehicles and new equipment. They are caring for their drivers, and caring for their communities. We try to capture just a few examples of that work here.  

Read your copy of TPN News Summer 2021 here.

Class 2 Day Driver - Teesside

TPN Teesside has a day shift position for a class 2 driver.

As one of our HGV drivers, you'll be responsible for the safe delivery and collection of palletised goods to a variety of customers from our depot in Teesside.

Some duties will involve:

• Loading and unloading the vehicle using a tail lift with pallet truck
• Completing delivery paperwork
• Confirming deliveries via electronic device

You'll be expected to always ensure:

• Vehicles are operated in accordance with legal and company requirements
• Current health and safety regulations and company procedures are adhered to
• Goods are delivered safely and securely
• Your vehicle is kept in good condition

This position requires the following:

• The correct category of driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points
• A valid driver qualification card (DQC)/ Driver CPC
• A valid digital tachograph card
• A good level of physical fitness due to the nature of the role, dealing with heavy goods
• Fluency in English

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• Company uniform

Could you make more money as a TPN driver?

The Pallet Network is an alliance of 130 individual and independent logistics depots around the UK. That means we have driver jobs available in every county and near every major town.

Our drivers have two main roles. The first type of driver, who will have a Category C licence, drives rigid vehicles doing local collections and deliveries. Although the job takes great driving and customer service skills, many drivers enjoy staying on their own patch, and getting to know repeat customers.

They'll typically do 25 deliveries in a shift, which is far less than the hundreds of parcels a typical van delivery driver has to manage.

Typically their hours will be 8am til 5pm, but hours can be reworked in order to allow drivers to do the school run before coming to work, for  example.  

The other type of driving role is trunk driving. This means driving an articulated HGV from the depot on an evening into our Minworth Hub. (We also have two regional Hubs which will be a lot closer to the depot.) Once at the Minworth Hub, drivers turn off their engines, can have a free hot meal on us, or enjoy the kitchen and relaxation facilities we provide. They can even take a shower.

Once their HGV has been unloaded and reloaded with deliveries for their depot, they drive home.

Although trunk drivers work at night, Monday to Friday, many drivers enjoy the quiet roads, the familiar journey and  having their days free to relax or be with family.

Learn more about driving for TPN or contact tpndrivers@tpnmail.co.uk

Currie Solutions depot joins TPN citing huge potential

THE Pallet Network (TPN) has signed Currie Solutions subsidiary Move It Express to cover its Edinburgh and Borders postcodes.

Currie’s commercial director Shaun Greig says TPN Partnership was a great opportunity to expand the services of the logistics operation.

“Both the MD, Kevin Huskie, and I have extensive experience of other networks and we were keen to work with TPN,” says Greig. “In particular we liked its association with major logistics operations, such as Eddie Stobart Logistics, which can only spell opportunity for Partner companies.”

Move It Express has a strong reputation in same-day logistics, storage and general haulage. Greig says the company is delivering almost a thousand pallets a week for TPN out of the gate.

“We have invested substantially in the Move-It premises to accommodate the TPN operation, adding a canopy to our 11,000 square feet of internal space,” he says.

The company also praises the on-boarding process. “TPN’s set up process is excellent, both operationally and commercially. We have had TPN team members here working alongside us in every aspect of the set up and our depot manager has commented that they could not have been nicer or more helpful,” says Greig.

TPN MD Mark Kendall says: “We are delighted to welcome Move It Express and the Curries European directors to the network. It is an excellent business with a strong can-do attitude, and we believe that they will enjoy and contribute to TPN’s unique culture and high standards.”

West Lothian-based Move It Express was acquired by Currie European Transport in 2019.

TPN launches national driver recruitment campaign on behalf of Partners

THE Pallet Network (TPN) has launched a national recruitment drive on behalf of its regional Partners to attract and place driving candidates.

TPN is renowned for identifying and solving Partner challenges, and the current driver shortage is no exception.

MD Mark Kendall says: “The driver shortage is a critical problem for the entire logistics industry, as seen in the appeals to government by the various trade bodies. We pride ourselves on stepping up and providing solutions for our Partners, and we hope this campaign and recruitment mechanism will enable them to attract a wide variety of candidates into their operations.”

The social media campaign will work across several platforms, using advertising and standard posts. Candidates will be reviewed internally and placed with the most suitable Partner depot.

Typically, however, TPN has not limited itself to solving the network’s problems but is using the opportunity to encourage a far broader range of applicants to consider logistics.

“Any operation can poach existing drivers from another operation, but that doesn’t help the industry as a whole,” says Mark. “We all have to step up and talk to those groups who could benefit from a career in logistics but do not traditionally think of applying or haven’t considered driving as a potential career.”

The campaign, therefore, targets many different demographics including:

• Van drivers, including those in the gig economy
• Under-represented groups in driving, such as women and ethnic minorities
• People either employed in, or recently made unemployed, from minimum wage sectors such as hospitality, retail or warehousing, who may want a better paid and/or more flexible career
• Young drivers

“It is our hope that we awaken far more people to the idea of vocational driving as a potential occupation,” says Mark. “We will be collating responses centrally and helping them to find the right opportunity within the network. However, I hope this drives a cultural shift and awareness of logistics far beyond our network.”

“The best solutions are never selfish solutions,” he says. “Our ethos is of mutual benefit – every solution we create should benefit everyone involved, and, where possible, it should also benefit the widest number of people. So this is for the benefit of the candidates and our Partners, which makes us stronger as a network, but it is also a contribution to the industry at large.” 

LTS Global challenges perceptions of Down syndrome

LTS Global Solutions has dedicated two more of its trucks to the support of the PADS charity, in order to challenge perceptions of Down syndrome.

The rear doors of the vehicles showcase lovely images of affected children which emphasises their individuality and ability to partake in everyday activities, not simply the condition. LTS MD Dave Hands says the previous trucks were very well received by the team, the public, customers and the children themselves.

“Positive About Down Syndrome is an important parent-led initiative to help people see children, not disability,” he says. “We’re very happy to continue supporting PADS.”

The company has also made new appointments in its finance, network planning and logistics administration teams, while some long term members of staff have shifted role. Operations planner Sean McGuigan has become Compliance Officer, and Mike Cullen has taken over responsibility for the TPN operation.

Dave says: “We have much to be proud of, not least passing our TPN ISO 9001 audit and achieving FORS Bronze in April.”

Fresh approach for Pallet Network Anglia following buy-out

Wisbech-based Pallet Network Anglia, also known as PE Logistics, has undertaken substantial fleet investment and a rebrand following its acquisition by WS Transport.

PE Logistics is renewing its fleet, with eight new tractor units and three 26-tonne vehicles replacing older units on its 28-strong fleet. The vehicles will be leased, as this provides repair and maintenance support and the best return on investment.

“Having a new modern fleet is important to maintaining our service levels and our environmental credentials,” says sales and customer liaison Kelly Wilding. “New vehicles offer the greatest reliability, the lowest fuel usage and the lowest emissions.”

The vehicles also sport a vibrant new look which captures the PE Logistics brand and the Pallet Network Anglia trading name customers know so well.

“Business is booming,” says Kelly. “Although spectacularly high volumes have been challenging for everyone in the logistics sector, it is great news for the economy. Local demand for our services is so great we have a waiting list of companies who would like to work with us.”

She emphasises that the company is careful to only take on work it can fulfil to satisfactory service levels. “Resource is finite for everyone,” she says, “and we want to do well by customers. No responsible business expands to the point of service failure.”

RT Page is proud of pandemic performance

Arundel-based RT Page says it is extremely proud of its performance throughout the COVID19 pandemic, which saw it supporting its community, its workforce and customers unfalteringly despite the events side of its business being halted by lockdown.

“We took no government money and we didn’t furlough any of our staff, despite our events business effectively closing for the duration of the pandemic,” says operations director Stuart Barker. “We also subcontracted work to support partner companies who normally specialised in events and would otherwise have had to close.”

The company also did substantial work delivering to the NHS at cost.

“We were also sensible to the devastating impact of lockdown on many of our customers, so we reduced rates and extended credit where necessary to support them,” says Stuart.

“RT Page and TPN both believe in support, collaboration and partnership,” he says. “That has to be reflected in your actions. We tried to live those values throughout the pandemic, and support as much of our business community as we could in practical ways.”

 

TPN promotes Kerry Rayner to Network Development Manager

THE Pallet Network (TPN) has promoted network developer Kerry Rayner to the important role of Network Development Manager.

Kerry has worked in TPN’s network development department for two years and has been responsible for most of its notable successes in recruiting excellent new transport companies during that time. She has extensive pallet network and logistics experience.

MD Mark Kendall says: “Kerry is smart, hard working and extremely good at her role. She’s had some great successes, and is an asset to the network. It’s a pleasure to be able to reward talent with deserved advancement.”

Kerry’s role will involve managing the team which identifies and recruits ideal Partner companies who have the right location, ambition and resource to contribute to the growth and high standards of TPN as a whole.

Kerry says: “I’m delighted to take over Network development at TPN. We have a sector-leading Partner proposition, so it isn’t hard to sell the benefits of the network to potential Partners. The skill is in identifying the right potential company at the right time, so that everyone benefits, the new Partner, TPN, and the network as a whole.”

She adds that TPN’s ethos is one of mutual trust and support, which extends throughout the Hub and network relationships. “It’s quite novel for many companies who may be more used to relationships governed purely by self interest rather than mutual interest – but it’s always a positive surprise.”

This is TPN’s third appointment of a woman to a key operational role in 2021. Mark says: “We believe in rewarding talent wherever we find it, but we are particulalrly pleased to able to give female candidates high profile jobs within logistics. They will be important role models for attracting new people, from many backgrounds and demographics,  into the industry.”

2021 appointments have included Nada Marinovic, formerly of the Hazchem Network to Network Developer, and Jo Davis to Financial Director.

TPN is working hard to recruit new talent to the industry, not least with its extensive social media campaign aimed at solving the driver shortage. This includes ads designed to appeal to existing drivers, but also drivers in other sectors, women who may not have considered hire and reward driving, and people laid off from COVID-hit sectors such as hospitality or tourism. 

John Pearce Transport supports driver into new role

John Pearce Transport driver Karol Koziol has been sponsored into a new role by the company, following health issues which took him off the road.

Karol is now putting his long experience behind the wheel to good use as a driver assessor and is also training as a workshop technician.

“Karol is a long-term member of the team and we’re delighted we could find alternative work which appealed to him and through which he can continue to progress and learn new skills,” says MD Clive Davies.

The company will provide full training, and Karol will be an asset helping other drivers perfect their skills.

The company has also been investing in resources to meet demand, with a new artic DAF XF, a new Mercedes rigid, 8 new trailers, a double deck trailer, and four electric pump trucks to make warehouse work less onerous.

Trunk driver for TPN Dagenham

Our TPN Dagenham depot has a night-shift job available for a C+E/Class 1 licence holder. Your role will be to drive our smart, modern HGVs, trunking into the Minworth or regional Hubs.  

Some of your duties will include:

• Loading and unloading the vehicle using a tail-lift
• Delivering goods safely
• Completing the paperwork, and confirming delivery with our handheld devices
• Sometimes there may be other driving or transport related tasks, so we ask for a degree of flexibility from our drivers.

It's your responsibility to make sure all of your work is conducted in accordance to health and safety legisalation and other legal requirements; in accordance with company policy; and that your vehicle is clean, safe and roadworthy.

You will need:

• A category C+E driving licence, with no more than six points
• A valid Driver Qualification Card (DQC)/ Driver CPC
• A digital tachograph card
• Fluent English
• Physical fitness, as you'll be moving heavy goods

We offer a competitive salary, uniform and statutory training. If you travel to our Minworth Hub, we provide a free hot meal for trunk drivers each evening (usually until about 4am). We also have extensive shower, kitchen and rest facilities, so you can relax and freshen up before the return journey.

Class 1 / Category C+E day driver Dagenham

Our TPN dagenham depot has a job available for a C+E/Class 1 licence holder. Your role will be to drive our smart, modern HGVs on a day-shift. You'll be doing collections and deliveries for a wide variety of clients, plus trunking work.

Some of your duties will include:

• Loading and unloading the vehicle using a tail-lift
• Delivering goods safely
• Completing the paperwork, and confirming delivery with our handheld devices

It's your responsibility to make sure all of your work is conducted in accordance to health and safety legisalation and other legal requirements; in accordance with company policy; and that your vehicle is clean, safe and roadworthy.

You will need:

• A category C+E driving licence, with no more than six points
• A valid Driver Qualification Card (DQC)/ Driver CPC
• A digital tachograph card
• Fluent English
• Physical fitness, as you'll be moving heavy goods

We offer a competitive salary, uniform and statutory training.

Class 2 drivers Dagenham

Our Dagenham depot has a vacancy for a C licence holder (Class 2) to conduct collections and deliveries for our TPN operation.

Our C category drivers's duties include: 

• Loading and unloading the vehicle using a tail-lift
• Delivering goods safely
• Completing the paperwork, and confirming delivery with our handheld devices

It's your responsibility to make sure all of your work is conducted in accordance to health and safety legisalation and other legal requirements; in accordance with company policy; and that your vehicle is clean, safe and roadworthy.

You will need:

• A category C driving licence, with no more than six points
• A valid Driver Qualification Card (DQC)/ Driver CPC
• A digital tachograph card
• Fluent English
• Physical fitness, as you'll be moving heavy goods

We offer a competitive salary, uniform and statutory training.

I love it. Best wage I've ever had!

John Meacham drives a counterbalance fork-lift truck on TPN’s night-shift operation at its Minworth Hub.

He says: “It’s the busiest place I’ve ever worked, but I love it. The time flies by.”

TPN’s Minworth Hub team can cross-dock more than 20,000 pallets in a night. John is part of an exceptionally skilful team which is organised and choreographed with almost military precision.

John joined TPN in early May and says that his starting pay was good. “They pay well for forklift drivers. It’s the best wage I’ve ever had.”

The starting wage for FLT drivers is £12 an hour, but this goes up to £14 an hour upon successful completion of the first three months.

John also says the training in the company was good and is confident TPN will support his ongoing career. “Once I’ve been here a few more months, I’m going to ask to learn new skills as well,” he says.

“I’m enjoying it loads. I’ve been a truck driver for years but never anywhere like this. The guys who manage me are really sound.”

Heathrow haulier joins TPN to develop its national profile

THE Pallet Network (TPN) has signed air-freight specialist and established general haulier Hounslow-based JGM Transport.

Key points include:

• New-to-networks high-growth haulier JGM Transport joins TPN
• JGM is pursuing growth through diversification, and filling a gap in its product offering
• Air-freight specialist and general haulier wants to develop national profile.
• JGM’s TPN operation went live on 19 July 2021

 

JGM director Falpreet Brar says: “We approached TPN because we had expanded substantially and were well established in all our chosen sectors. The next logical step was to join a pallet network, and we believed TPN to be the best choice.”

JGM is the brainchild of two brothers and has become a leading logistics provider in South-West London within four years.

It runs a modern fleet, mostly equipped with tail-lifts, and has 10,000 sq ft of warehousing space.

“We have extensive air-freight experience, and we are a well-respected general haulier,” says Falpreet. “Therefore, we want a final mile solution, as well as a less-than-half-load solution, both of which TPN offers. Furthermore we want to expand our national profile and product offering, and TPN can help us with that.”

TPN has 130 depot locations throughout the UK, giving it the best postcode coverage in the sector.

“Five weeks in, I can confidently say we made a good choice,” says Falpreet. “The on-boarding at TPN is excellent and the operation is running well.”

Quality and Flexibility                                           

Given its links to the air-freight industry, JGM’s staff are all highly trained, including Department of Transport’s cargo operative course completion (formerly Level D) as its minimum standard. The company also invests in extensive in-house DCPC, ADR, and licence acquisition training.

“Our association with the airport means that we have very high standards in terms of freight handling and meeting customer expectations,” says Falpreet.

“We bring those standards to our general haulage work and wanted a pallet network who would have similar operational rigour.”

Falpreet also values TPN’s operational agility, having seen first-hand the radical changes the aviation industry had to make to survive. 

“Air-freight is normally the poor relation of passenger air services, and most air-freight is tucked in the belly of passenger planes,” says Falpreet. “However, COVID turned the business model on its head. Although the overall number of flights dropped, much more freight was consolidated into freight-only flights.”

This meant that JGM continued to thrive despite Brexit and multiple lockdowns.

“We’ve chosen TPN as our Partner for growth very carefully, based on their values, their track record and their ability to adapt to the market,” says Falpreet.

Cumbria Logistics Ltd supports local hospice

Longtown-based TPN Partner Cumbria Logistics Ltd has won the September round of the TPN Charity Draw and has donated £1000 to the Eden Valley Hospice.

About the chosen charity

The Eden Valley Hospice provides care for adults who have life-limiting and terminal illnesses in North Cumbria.   Eden Valley Hospice provides care for adults with life limiting illnesses from North Cumbria. It has a 12-bed adult in-patient wing and a day hospice which provides care and community for up to 15 people four days a week.

The TPN Charity Draw receives a £10 monthly donation from each of our 100+ depots and the winning depot, generated at random, chooses which charity to support. The depot can use up to £500 of the money to reward staff, and the remainder is donated. However, many choose to donate all of their winnings. This is an important way for TPN to support those charities and causes which are important to our regional Partners.

Ferryman Ltd celebrates longest serving staff member

Dave, as he is known, has worked for Ferryman for twenty years. He started off as a driver, when Ferryman was still a small company, and became a traffic planner as the company grew.  

Head of Social Media, Alys Hamar-Davies, said “Dave is very popular with the drivers and excellent at his job. He is extremely committed and loyal, going above and beyond and empathetic with the drivers”.

Ferryman celebrated Dave’s two decades with the company with an office lunch, where he received a Raymond Weil watch and a plaque to say thank you for all his hard work and loyal service. The whole TPN team offers Dave their congratulations on this career milestone.

TPN boosts operations team with highly experienced director

THE Pallet Network (TPN) has appointed industry veteran Bob Richards as Operations Director.

Bob has more than 30 years’ experience in high-level operational positions within logistics, including decades spent with major 3PLs, and manufacturers including Christian Salvesen, TDG, Bidvest and Heinz. He has experience of pallet networks, having previously worked at Pall-Ex and Palletways.

Most recently he ran his own logistics consultancy, Jacs Innovations, specialising in change and project management.

Bob says only the right opportunity could tempt him away from his own business.  “I met with Mark Kendall and saw the operation here. What impressed me was the culture and embedded values of the business. It’s a busy environment but it’s clear that TPN people are happy to be here and strive for excellence because they believe in it.”

Bob’s passions are perfecting process and developing people. “These are the two essential ingredients for an optimised logistics operation,” he says. “TPN currently has a young and promising operations team and I am excited about the opportunity to help them grow and develop.”

Bob will have ultimate responsibility for the day and night operations at TPN’s Minworth Hub, and its regional Hubs in Preston, Northampton and Coventry.

MD Mark Kendall says: “Finding someone to fill your own previous position, who you trust will make it their own, is always a special kind of challenge. I’m confident that Bob’s extensive experience, and his obvious commitment to creating operations which are values as well as results-driven, will make him a huge asset to TPN and a great fit for our culture.”

TPN prides itself on a unique culture of mutual respect, trust and support at the Hub and throughout the network. It is also committed to continuous improvement in its customer service, its Partnership proposition, its environmental legacy and in leading better conditions for logistics workers.

For instance, this year the company has instituted free evening meals for all FLT and HGV drivers, and has been hugely successful in its free pallet recycling scheme. It has offered unparalleled support to its Partners throughout COVID, Brexit and the driver shortage, including pioneering a national recruitment campaign for HGV drivers.

TPN wins Pallet Network of the Year title AGAIN

Mark Lee Transport leaps at TPN opportunity

TPN has signed established West Yorkshire haulier Mark Lee Transport whose directors were looking for an additional service to complement their blue-chip haulage business. 

The Bradford-based company specifically approached TPN, having heard from industry contacts with multi-network experience that TPN was ‘always the preferred option’, says owner and MD Mark Lee. 

“We know that TPN can do what it says it will do,” says Lee. “That’s important to us because we promise a high service level to our clients and always expect to meet it.” 

Lee has now opened a new site at Stalybridge, with 16,000 sq ft of warehousing. He says the location was chosen for its excellent motorway access which will make trunking much more efficient. 

He is looking to expand his fleet, which currently numbers 35 vehicles between 18-tonnes and 44-tonnes. The company has already allocated some vehicles for TPN work, and may extend to smaller vehicles for collection and delivery purposes. 

TPN has a first class on-boarding service which takes new Partners through extensive training and support in everything from operations to sales for some weeks before their operations go live.  

TPN MD Mark Kendall says: “Our mission is to help our Partners succeed. That begins long before their official start date so that we can set them up for success. This is important for service levels, it’s a proof of our commitment to the Partner and it’s very motivating for a new team to be so good out of the gate. 

“I’m delighted to welcome Mark Lee Transport to TPN and have every confidence it will be a strong, successful relationship.” 

Hauliers wanting to explore opportunities with TPN can visit its Partner landing page here. 

Hi-Speed Services employees raise over £8,000 for local hospice

Hi-Speed Services MD Ian Dawkins’ sons, two of whom work for the company, completed the London Marathon last month and raised over £8,000 for the local Phyliss Tuckwell Hospice.

Picture is the group, dressed as the three amigos from the 1986 film. Well done, boys!

TPN Ireland expands for ‘limitless growth’

TPN Ireland has added 80,000 sq ft of additional hub space to its Blanchardstown, Dublin, Hub doubling the capacity of the network and future-proofing it against rising volumes.

Eamon Sullivan, group chief executive of TPN Ireland says: “In essence this will allow us to grow ad infinitum.

“Our network has thrived during the past two years, despite the difficult circumstances. We aligned our IT platforms with that of TPN last year, so that all of our customers, whether in Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, have complete transparency of their pallet movements,” he says. “The new Hub space represents a strong commitment to our Partners and their customers that we will continue to be the leading palletised freight service in Ireland.”

The network now has 24 Irish Partner companies, three in Northern Ireland and 21 in the Republic.

TPN employs its first commercial vehicle drivers

TPN has invested in further supporting Partners by directly employing its first commercial vehicle drivers.

Nigel Spink and Paul Munro will work directly with TPN, using two new liveried and dedicated vehicles for Partner support and express deliveries.

TPN Group Transport Manager Lee Noble says: “Having Nigel and Paul on hand at the Hub gives us great flexibility in responding to partner requests or special circumstances. We are always proactive about anticipating and meeting Partner needs so that they can give excellent service to their customers. Having two of our own highly skilled delivery drivers gives us the ability to step in when a Partner or customer might need a specific or urgent solution.”

This is the latest in a long list of TPN’s initiatives to further improve Partners’ experiences. Previous initiatives included a driver national recruitment campaign to provide driving candidates to local partners and a free pallet recycling scheme to improve the carbon footprint of the sector and reduce the impact of logistics waste.

Great Bear says Big G is flexible and helpful

National 3PL Great Bear Distribution uses TPN Partner Big G Logistics based in Waltham Abbey, for its specialist alcohol retail distribution, saying the company is flexible and extremely helpful.

Although an established logistics operation with an extensive fleet and warehousing, Great Bear decided to use the TPN network for its wine and spirits distribution to retailers and wine merchants across the UK.

Great Bear transport manager Tracy Downend says that the TPN service is particularly impressive in Scotland.

“We do sometimes have delivery issues in the South of England but in this climate that’s only to be expected,” she says. “On the whole we are pleased with the service and would like to put more volume through TPN.”

Big G MD George Denman says: “We’re delighted to be working with Great Bear and look forward to giving them more support in the future.”

KMS invests in infrastructure and workforce

Barnsley-based KMS Transport is redeveloping its substantial general haulage site, and investing in future services and its workforce.

The site, the base depot for 70 vehicles, is being equipped with new offices, an HGV workshop and a testing station. The latter will ensure that the vehicles are well maintained with minimal downtime.

“We strive for a completely resilient service and that means compliant, roadworthy vehicles, which are back on the road as soon as possible. Those high standards are vital across our day-to-day operations. Our Rotherham TPN depot and warehouse has just been re-accredited to the BRC

AA standard,” says KMS business development manager Chris Deighan.

“We have also been investing in our drivers and trying to address the gender balance in order to bring new people into the industry,” he says. “We currently have two new female drivers who had C category licences and we are putting through their C+Es. Other female applicants are waiting to join us as Class 2 replacements.”

Despite the current challenges, he says, KMS staff have been superb and loyal, and customers have been fantastic. “Our clients have been very understanding and cooperative during all the issues UK supply chains have had.

“We’ve also had a big increase in sales enquiries, which suggests that companies are looking for a quality provider to work in partnership with them. This is a period where we all need to work together to deliver the best possible outcomes, and keep the UK economy moving.”

FDC Holdings Ltd supports local hospice

Preston-based TPN Partner FDC Holdings Ltd has won the November round of the TPN Charity Draw and has donated £1000 to St Catherine’s Hospice in Preston.

About the chosen charity

St Catherine’s Hospice provides care and support for adults with a life-shortening condition and their loved ones from diagnosis and through bereavement in the areas of Chorley, Preston and South Ribble.

The TPN Charity Draw receives a £10 monthly donation from each of our 100+ depots and the winning depot, generated at random, chooses which charity to support. The depot can use up to £500 of the money to reward staff, and the remainder is donated. However, many choose to donate all of their winnings. This is an important way for TPN to support those charities and causes which are important to our regional Partners. 

Career focus on our health and safety team

Steve Underwood is our manager of HSEQ - or health and safety, the environment and quality. As such it's a very broad role and Steve has been building a team to expand the skills and experience we have across this entire area.

Steve has developed a business plan for our HSEQ work which will see TPN as the leading light in the field. His two most recent recruits Julia and Soheal are busy training in all of the legal compliance, operational safety standards and environmental targets which TPN is obliged to meet either by law, or by our own exacting standards and aspirations.

Steve says: "My work is very diverse and no two days are the same. We want our team to continue growing skills in new areas, and to really set the standard for what can be achieved."

TPN has gained ISOs 27001, 14001, 9001, 45001, covering quality, environmental management, data management and health and safety management. However, the goals are constantly moving.

"As a company we are currently making headway towards the ISO 50001 Energy Management Certificate which will lead into our SECR (Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reduction) statements. Standards evolve and goals become more aspirational over time, so you can never be complacent in this job. There is always some improvement to strive for," says Steve.

Ultimately his job is to ensure that TPN's people and the public are as safe as possible, that our environmental impact is always diminishing, and that our commitment to quality across the operation never fails.

"I have been involved in HS/project work for the last 20 years or so and am confident our goals will be reached," says Steve. "What I enjoy about TPN the most is working alongside the directors, because they want to be involved. This is never a tick box exercise for us, it is always about achieving excellence from top to bottom. It's important to have buy-in from all levels of the business." 

TPN appoints seasoned commercial director

TPN continues future proofing its Hub operations

As part of its widespread review of systems and infrastructure,  TPN has acquired 150 Panasonic ToughBooks with rugged Android A3 tablets, to replace the previous Windows 7 devices mounted in its forklifts. 

The tablets are crucial to Hub efficiency, as they display real-time information for the operators about the freight movements they need to carry out.

TPN’s IT Director, Rob Haigh said “The Panasonic device immediately stood out as different. It was a much more polished and complete package in terms of design and robustness.”

He says the products have to be virtually indestructible and he chose the Toughbook for its military-grade ruggedness. “In the past most damage to the old devices has been caused by the buckles on the seatbelts of the forklifts springing back when unclipped and smashing the device screen. We tested the Panasonic device by lassoing the device with the belt and there wasn’t a scratch.”

Another important factor in the choice of device was the large 10.5 inch screen and bright outdoor readable display, which enables the drivers to see quickly and easily which pallets must be moved next and where. Panasonic’s long-term and regular updates and support was another selling point. 

The upgrade is part of a wider strategy, as TPN implements a network-wide future-proofing review of systems and infrastructure. Three years ago TPN undertook a similar review to make its service totally resilient, and that focus on quality provision resulted in it being the only UK network which ran constantly throughout COVID and Brexit without any service interruption.

This successful strategy is now being repeated in order to maintain TPN’s sector-leading position and performance as the market changes and grows over the next five years.

The new forklift devices have been positively received by the drivers. The devices’ quickness and better connectivity saves drivers’ time and allows for increased productivity. Moreover, given Panasonic’s intuitive software, the drivers did not need any additional training to use them.

“Moving forward, we plan to extend the use of the devices for additional purposes at the hub, by undocking the devices from the forklifts and using them for supervisor checks, yard management and door control,” says Rob.

“Ultimately, we now have a solution that is ideal for our working environment and that we can rely upon to do the job, allowing us to concentrate on delivering and fast, transparent and competitive service to our customers.”

Ferryman installs life-saving defib

Newport-based Ferryman has paid for a public access defibrillator to be fitted outside its reception.

The unit, which cost approximately £2,500, requires no training to use and is available to the public as well as emergency services.

The project was organised by accounts manager Vicky Styles.

“Cardiac risk, particularly in the young, is very close to our hearts at Ferryman as staff members have lost people they loved,” says Vicky. “Besides which, this is an important public service.”

The company also supports youth cardiac health charity CRY, and Jack’s Appeal which funds and provides automated defibrillators for schools and public places across Wales.

Customer lavishes praise on Silver X

Apex Insulation Supplies has lavished praise on TPN Partner Silver X Group, describing them as the best delivery company Apex has dealt with.

Apex regularly sends pallets through the TPN network, with Silver X trunking them into the Hub most nights. The deliveries are almost always to live sites for which reliability is a must.

“The pallets usually require a next day delivery and it is very important that those waiting for the goods receive them so they can press on with the work,” says Silver X project manager Kim Smith.

An Apex colleague said: “I would like to take this opportunity to say that of all the courier companies I have worked with, Silver X is by far the best. They not only provide a good service, they are courteous, friendly and efficient. It’s a service that should be recognised, particularly in these times when everything is so manic and demanding.”

Silver X Group has also invested in a new double trailer for its TPN work.

Bacton takes van driver all the way to HGV trainer

Jody Gull started out driving vans but, thanks to his determination and his employers’ sponsorship, now trains HGV drivers for Bacton Transport.

Jody Gull joined Stowmarket-based Bacton Transport in 2018 as a newly qualified Class 2 driver. He spent a year with Bacton on an 18-tonne rigid vehicle before the depot arranged his C+E training and test.

Jody then drove a Class 1 (C+E double deck vehicle for two years – but was keen to continue progressing. Jody applied for a new role of Driver Development Coach. He now trains the new drivers that come through Bacton’s ranks for all aspects of the driving roles in our business.

“The thing I love most about my role is helping people, whether it’s a novice driver or someone more experienced asking for advice,” says Jody. “I really enjoy watching people grow and develop in the business.”

“Jody epitomises the Bacton employee who wants to go the extra mile and progress in his career. It shows how far someone new to truck driving can progress in a career if they want,” says Bacton’s Network Services Manager Rob Cook.

James funds medical studies by driving

TPN HGV driver James Sayer has been working towards being a doctor for 10 years – and can finally apply to medical school.

James joined the Fire Service from school, and after becoming the youngest UK driver qualified to drive a blue-lit fire truck, he also started working for TPN Partner York-based YDL.

“I loved the medical training we received in the Fire Service,” he says. As he wasn’t qualified for medical school, James used his HGV driving salary to finance his way through a paramedic degree at Sheffield Hallam and then a Masters in forensic anthropology to qualify in chemistry.

29 year old James is now applying for a place at medical school at UK universities. He will still need to fund his tuition fees so is continuing to drive to build up his savings. “I’ll find a way,” he says. “I’ve worked so hard to reach this point. I’m very grateful that I could do flexible shifts for YDL all the way through university."

“Driving is a fantastic career opportunity for so many people,” he says. “It’s allowed me to earn good money while studying, and gave me the discipline to treat my studies as a full-time job.

“I would recommend it to anyone who needs flexible, or part-time work while they progress in other ways. It develops responsibility, initiative and grit, and it pays much better than most part-time work available to students.”

TPN MD Mark Kendall says: “We congratulate James on his huge successes so far and wish him every success in the future."

Station Couriers supports lifesaving charity

Recently Station Couriers has shown its support for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity by putting the charity's branding on its lorry curtains. 

The branded curtains, designed by Now Group and printed by WJ Leech, were installed on two single trailers and one HGV. There are also plans to have a set of curtains designed for a double deck trailer in the next few months.

Reflecting on why the company decided to support the 24/7 charity, Sian Jenkins, director of Station Couriers, said: “Wales Air Ambulance have always been a charity close to our hearts. They do an amazing job and we know of family and friends that have needed to use the service. Living in such a rural area we would definitely be lost without the services of the Wales Air Ambulance.”

As well as rebranding their curtains, Station Couriers have donated £500 to the charity after winning the monthly TPN Charity Draw. Staff from Station Couriers visited the charity’s Welshpool base to meet the Wales Air Ambulance crew and presented the cheque of £500 to the charity’s community fundraiser Dougie Bancroft.

He said: “The lorry curtains look fantastic. It’s unmissable and will bring awareness of the Charity to everyone on the roads. Thank you so much to everyone at the Station Couriers for promoting our charity in its 20th anniversary year.”

“You are all helping save lives across Wales.”

LTS continues to challenge negative perceptions of Down syndrome

Birmingham-based LTS Global Solutions have launched an artic trailer showcasing children and young people with Down syndrome. This is a follow-up of the successful launch of their three 18 tonne vehicles in support of the Down syndrome initiative, Positive About Down Syndrome (PADS) earlier in the year.

PADS is an initiative by the national charity DSUK that combats the negativity and fear associated with Down syndrome. LTS hope to help this by showcasing lovely images of affected children which emphasises their individuality and ability to partake in everyday activities, not simply the condition. 

PADS Charity Trustee Nicola Enoch said that: “PADS is extremely grateful to LTS Global Solutions for the opportunity to challenge perceptions people may hold around Down syndrome, by showing children and young people with Down syndrome leading full and rewarding lives.”

LTS Managing Director Dave Hands, whose daughter Ella features on the trailer added, “With our three previous vehicles being so well received by our employees, people within the Down syndrome community and the general public, we wanted to expand on that and what better way to do it than showcasing the wonderful work that they do and raising awareness on a bigger vehicle."

Warehouse manager vacancy, Mark Lee Transport, Stalybridge

TPN Partner Mark Lee Transport in Stalybridge needs an experienced warehouse manager for its busy pallet network site.

Hi Speed says its Christmas gift campaign will be back

Aldershot-based Hi Speed Services will repeat its successful ‘gift for every child’ campaign next Christmas.

The company joined forces with other local businesses in Surrey and Hampshire to source and collect presents for under-privileged children in their community.

It organised a gift appeal, which collected 150 new, boxed gifts for young people between infant and 18.

“One of Hi-Speed’s core values is supporting our local community. We wanted to help families facing hardship at Christmas and make sure that every child in our local area received a gift,” says MD Ian Dawkins.

The toys were then distributed to five charities who placed them with children before Christmas.

• St Marys Church
• Step by Step
• Frimhurst Family House
• Sebastians Action Trust
• The Beacon Church / Camberley Food Bank

Hi Speed intends to run the campaign again next year and hopes to increase participation and the number of charities it can support.

Transport planning for TPN Dagenham

Transport Planner

TPN Dagenham needs a Transport Planner/Co-ordinator. We're a busy London depot of the THE Pallet Network, so it's a fast paced and exciting environment in one of the most demanding areas for logistics operators.

The role involves:

• Keeping track of revenue requests and credit requests and action accordingly.
• Planning driver routes for the following day when on late shift. This means it's essential to have some experience in route planning.
• Using our in-house system TPN Connect
• Monitoring PODs for outbound deliveries and chasing where necessary in line with service level agreements (SLAs)
• Managing claims for specific allocated customers
• Building relationships with all customers and maintaining high standards of customer service 
• Answering emails and phone queries promptly and efficiently 
• General depot/transport administration
• Assisting and guiding drivers where applicable

The job is based on weekly shift rotation. The early shift is 6am to 4pm and the late shift is 10am until 8pm.

If you think you are the right person for this great opportunity, then send your CV to jobs@tpnmail.co.uk or fill out our  online application form.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Women win in TPN’s gender pay gap report

TPN’s recent gender pay gap report revealed women are paid substantially more than men on average across the organisation

John Reid Trucking Ltd supports local charities

Brigg-based TPN Partner John Reid Trucking Ltd has won the March round of the TPN Charity Draw. The company has chosen to donate £500 each to the 1st Scawby Guides and to Broughton Cricket Club.

The 1st Scawby Guides is a section of Girlguiding UK for girls aged 10 to 14 years old. John Reid accountant, Charlotte Reid, is a Guides group leader. She says the money will be used to replace the mess tent, as the current catering tent has been in use for more than 20 years.

Charlotte says: “We’re attending an international camp this year along with two other local guide groups who we share equipment with, so a new mess tent will be extremely useful. We have been trying to raise funds for this and some new sleeping bags, so the TPN Charity Draw win was very timely.”

The girls of 1st Scawby Guides will be attending Poacher 2022, an international Scout and Guide Jamboree held in Lincolnshire. 

The Broughton Cricket Club encourages young children to get into cricket. Charlotte says John Reid Trucking has a long tradition of sponsoring the Club and many employees are connected to the Club at various levels.

The TPN Charity Draw receives a £10 monthly donation from each of our 100+ depots and the winning depot, generated at random, chooses which charity to support. The depot can use up to £500 of the money to reward staff, and the remainder is donated. However, many choose to donate all of their winnings. This is an important way for TPN to support those charities and causes which are important to our regional Partners.

Station Couriers more than pulls its weight for charity

Station Couriers is continuing its fundraising efforts for Wales Air Ambulance in April with an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of Records.

Alongside members of the Newtown Rugby Club, the Station Couriers team will attempt to pull an HGV by hand down the length of the Welshpool runway.

The attempt will coincide with a family fun day in aid of the Air Ambulance. The company has also liveried three trailers with fundraising details and donated £500 from the TPN Charity Draw fund to the charity. Its fundraising has been supported by its curtain maker WJ Leech and insurance broker Towergate.

SC director Sian Jenkins says: “Wales Air Ambulance does an amazing job. We have family and friends that have needed to their service. Living in such a rural area we would definitely be lost without the services of the Wales Air Ambulance.”

TPN has appointed sought-after network development director

TPN has appointed Bob Delaney as its new director of network development.

Bob has spent his entire career in logistics and the past 20 years in pallet networks and brings a wealth of experience to the role, including operational development and project management.

This is the latest of several high-value appointments to TPN’s management teams, which have included finance director Jo Davis, operations director Bob Richards, and commercial director Sue Nicholson.

“TPN is a well-established and extremely good network,” says Bob. “MD Mark Kendall has created an entirely fresh and new senior management team to enact his vision for the network and being part of that was very attractive.

“TPN has a sector-leading Partner proposition and is undoubtedly the best choice for ambitious hauliers today,” he says. “As someone who has seen networks develop since their inception, I am excited to be involved with TPN’s evolution of the network model and attracting the best candidates to take our model of collaborative logistics forward.”

TPN’s award-winning service levels and its unique combination of in-house developed and sector-leading IT, next generation ePOD solutions and unparalleled Partner support infrastructure makes it a commercially and operationally unmissable opportunity for experienced and new-to-networks companies alike. It signed 15 new Partners during 2021.

TPN MD Mark Kendall says: “We are thrilled that Bob has chosen TPN as the network to benefit from his experience, contacts and skills going forward. We are very aware he would have been welcomed anywhere in the sector, and it is a testament to TPN’s leading position and huge future potential that he chose us.”

Bob began his logistics career as a driver and gained experience of most operational roles with major hauliers and 3PLs, before moving into networks in 2000.  He spent 17 years as general manager of member development at Palletforce, and before that as network development manager at Palletways UK.

Big G supports top pet food producer

Manufacturer of complete dry pet food, Welwyn Garden City-based Gilbertson & Page is impressed with its first year of service from TPN Partner Big G Logistics.

Gilbertson & Page produces a vast range of health-conscious, quality dog food, including Arkwrights, Dr John’s and Gilpa. They are delivered to wholesalers, retailers and end users across the UK.

The company, which has a Royal Warrant, has been trading for 140 years.

Sales Office Manager Heather Thayne says that delivery reliability is essential in the competitive pet food marketplace. Big G provides an extended service to the company, including a dedicated account manager.

The company sends out approximately 90 pallets a week, and Heather says they are very satisfied with Big G’s performance. “They do a great job for us,” she says.

Mitchells invests in higher safety and lower carbon

Mitchells (of Mansfield) has taken delivery of four new Renault T Range 26-tonne delivery vehicles, all fitted with the latest HALO pedestrian safety systems.

MD Richard Montgomery says the company is also investigating its decarbonisation strategy. “By the end of the year we hope to have invested in our first electric HGV.”

He says the company is in talks with its local Renault dealer.  “An electric HGV is a perfect solution for us as our 40 delivery vehicles travel an average of 75 miles a day and all return to base in an evening. The biggest battle for all hauliers will be cost, with an average electric truck costing three to four  times that of a diesel.”

Mitchells is also pushing efficiencies through technology. “We are further developing our IT and our ways of communicating with customers,” he says. “We want to increase growth steadily this year so that we can ensure that the use of vehicles is commercially and operationally sustainable.”

Pallet network operations supervisor vacancy in West Yorkshire

Join our highly successful pallet network management team today! Leading logistics and distribution specialist Kenneth Howley Transport needs a pallet network operations supervisor to expand its three-strong network management team.

We’re looking for someone with experience of pallet network operations and with the skills to manage planning, inputting and customer liaison.

Kenneth Howley incorporates Roy Fox Transport, a Partner of THE Pallet Network (TPN). We input circa 1,500 pallets a week, so you would be coming into a sizable, challenging and busy environment where professionalism and excellence are priorities. You can find more information about all our operations and services here.

We’re based In Castleford, West Yorkshire. Hours can be a greed based on a Monday to Friday week, and salary will be commensurate with experience.

If you would like to join a winning team, contact mark@khowley.co.uk today with details of your experience and contact information.

Ferryman invests in training centre

Gwent-based Ferryman has built a new training centre on its Pontllanfraith site, with a conference style suite, training resources and screens.

The purpose-built facility aligns with the recent qualification of office staff member and ex Class 1 driver Paul Chivers as a driver-assessor, giving Paul a space to conduct all classroom-based driver coaching. The driver training programme will be split between practical in-cab and discussion sessions, with an ongoing programme of coaching on safety, hazard awareness and fuel efficiency.

The company will also conduct all its Driver CPC sessions on its own premises and hopes in time to extend the training offerings to all of the staff and external candidates.

The centre has been decorated with a mural of Ferryman flagship vehicles by local graffiti artist Walls by Paul.

Claude Hellowell celebrates 20-year loyalty of FLT driver

Halifax-based Claude Hellowell has highlighted the 20^th year of FLT driver Colin Whippey’s career with the company, praising him as a valued and exemplary employee.

Colin started work in the tanker shed at Claude Hellowell, and then moved into the yard, where he drives an FLT and keeps the yard operationally sound, including clearing or gritting as needed.

“Colin is reliable and efficient, and he’s hugely valued by the whole team,” says general manager Chris Lord.

Colin covers the (very) early mornings and is known for occasionally warming his breakfast crumpets on his forklift during the colder months. He has also adopted some key duties for himself, including walking the MD’s dog Louis.

“Colin walks Louis daily after work. They are as thick as thieves,” says Chris. “We just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the many years we’ve been lucky enough to have Colin and say thank you.”

TPN gains ISO 50001 accreditation

TPN achieves ISO 50001 as part of continuing environmental improvement plan

TPN has added to its impressive list of accreditations by achieving ISO 50001

25 May 2022, Minworth UK: THE Pallet Network (TPN) has achieved its next environmental milestone by gaining ISO 50001 accreditation, with a management plan to cut energy usage across all its sites.

The accreditation lays the groundwork for TPN’s next major project which is to complete its SECR - Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting – obligations. SECR requires companies to report on their direct and indirect environmental impacts, including greenhouses gases, water, waste, materials and energy efficiency, biodiversity and emissions to air, land and water.

The company has recently been reviewing all its operation in terms of carbon impact, says HSEQ manager, Steve Underwood. It has also recently boosted its health and safety team with the additions of Julia Robinson and Soheal Mir as Health & Safety Assistants.

“We want our operation to be sustainable and environmentally friendly,” says Steve, “and that starts with measurement and strong actionable plans. The ISO 50001 represents our next plan to manage energy usage.”

Some of TPN’s key environmental achievements to date include:

• Vehicle utilisation at 20 percentage points above the national average for articulated trailers, saving approximately 35,000 journeys a year.
• 99% of waste is either re-cycled or used for energy generation
• FLT fleet runs on Bio-LPG giving up to 32% CO₂ saving against standard LPG & uses 24% less fuel than diesel
• FLT fleet is fitted with catalytic converters plus an “Eco-eLo” fuel efficiency system reducing fuel consumption by a further 20%
• TPN drains are professionally cleaned every 6 months to prevent contamination of nearby water systems
• Liquid waste cut by 100%
• Paper waste cut by 4%
• Recycled 1,000+tonnes of expired pallets since July 2020

TPN has been in a leader in the sector in terms of accreditations, having ISO 45001, 9001, 14001, and 27001, covering health and safety, quality, environmental management and data security. It also extends its ISO 9001-accrediting audit to its TPN Partners every year.

“We are committed to imrpoving our environmental performance across all areas of the business,” says Steve. “We will also work with our 130 Partner depots, sharing knowledge and helping them to both improve and measure their environmental impact.”

TPN delivers 50 millionth pallet

TPN delivers 50 millionth pallet

The UK’s leading pallet network delivered its 50 millionth pallet in early May, with strong growth potential for the future

25 May 2022, Minworth UK: THE Pallet Network (TPN) has delivered 50 million pallets since its inception in 2000, and 20 million pallets since October 2017, when it celebrated its 30 millionth pallet.

TPN is the largest pallet network by Partner volume and manages in excess of 100,000 pallets a week. It gives unparalleled support to its 130 Partner depots throughout their TPN operation. However, says MD Mark Kendall, volume is only important as a guide to the vitality of Partner companies. TPN’s own focus is always on the quality of the delivery experience it provides.

Mark says: “It is always nice to celebrate milestones, particularly when they represent the hard work and professionalism of our Partners and our teams. However, the important aspect of this for TPN will always be the excellence we bring to palletised freight delivery, regardless of the numbers.”

The company says it is also proud of its environmental contribution, as overall trailer utilisation for inbound and outbound Hubs was over 80%, some 20 percentage points above the UK average for articulated vehicles.

“The pallet network sector has adopted double deck trailers, which is clearly much more efficient operationally and in terms of carbon impact, than A frames,” says Mark. “High trailer utilisation is important to the Partners’ profitability but also to reducing the carbon footprint of the pallets.”

TPN estimates that it removes in excess of 35,000 double deck trailer journeys per year, compared with the national average.

Future growth strategy

TPN has spent the past 12 months refining its business operations, reinvesting in IT and Hub kit, and planning its new Hub at an as-yet undisclosed location.

“We are constantly refining our strategy and our resources as the market develops,” says Mark. “Devising and delivering upon strategy is not a process that ever stops, because we are focused on today and what’s beyond tomorrow.”

The company has a fresh senior management team, chosen by Mark Kendall, comprising some of the brightest names in network development. They include finance director Jo Davis, commercial director Sue Nicholson, network development director Bob Delaney and operations director Bob Richards.

Starlings invests in fleet safety

Starlings Transport has invested in two new 18 tonne Renaults for its Great Yarmouth site. The vehicles will primarily perform collections and deliveries for TPN. Commercial manager Daniel Starling says both vehicles are compliant with the Direct Vision Standard. “This means they can travel in London when necessary, but it also offers greater safety in every location.”

Bacton upskills its drivers to protect its ‘best asset’

Stowmarket-based Bacton Transport Services has been tackling the driver shortage by doubling its numbers of drivers for 7.5 tonne vehicles and training them up to drive artics with its own driver training program.

In quick succession, Ron Cavill, Paolo Bongiovanni and Alastair Titchmarsh have progressed through the ranks and having successfully completed their C+E tests now drive artic vehicles as utility drivers covering all aspects of the Woolpit operation. 

The initiative has been so successful that other members of the 7.5-tonne driving team are currently working towards obtaining their category C licences with the goal to join Ron, Paolo and Alastair on the artic fleet. 

MD Charles Downie says: “Our strategy is based on a people-first approach to life. We all think transport is about big, expensive trucks but the reality is your people are the most important resource and your best assets.” 

In addition to their own in-house schemes, the company is working in partnership with a local training company and further education college to provide courses and career advice to young people interested in careers in the transport industry. 

YDL enhances service and updates fleet

YDL is enhancing customer service after setting up its own call centre. The York-based company has taken on five full-time staff as part of this investment for depots 10 and 11. Tom Clarke, Commercial Director for YDL, said: “We have implemented a new call centre-style phone system so that we can further enhance customer service and optimise efficiency.” 

YDL already runs TPN’s Connect system which offers freight owners complete control and visibility of their jobs and gives their customers full access to cloud-based tracking and ETA notifications. In this way, Connect cuts down the number of queries that freight owners will get and helps them to expedite the rest.

“Connect already helps us improves productivity and maintain a high level of customer service,” added Tom. “The new phone system adds an extra layer of confidence for our clients and supports our goal of continuous improvement.”

YDL has also added to its fleet, purchasing a new articulated truck as well as a rigid. The company has a track record of supporting local causes on its artics and all three now each carry the logo of a different charity – York Against Cancer, St Leonard’s Hospice, and Martin House Hospice.

Furthermore, YDL recently raised £4,440 for Martin House Hospice after a team from the company completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

Transervice makes £250k fleet investment

West Bromwich-based Transervice Express Transport has invested more than £250,000 in additional vehicles to assist with TPN trunking and delivery operations.

The company has added two 44t tractor units and a 3.5t van to its fleet. The two tractors are both Renault T Evolution models, launched last year as updates to Renault’s T-series, which is designed for long distance haulage. New features include LED headlamps and a honeycomb grille, as well as interior improvements including adjustable steering column, improved storage, more comfortable bunk and better sound proofing. The LCV is also from Renault, a Master CitiLoader curtainsider, complete with cantilever tail lift.

Paul Johnson, Managing Director, of Transervice, said: “This investment in new vehicles underpins our commitment to grow our TPN offering and further enhance our customer service. They have fitted into our operations smoothly and our drivers are very happy with them.”

Sometimes, heroes do wear capes

Staff at Hampshire-based Riva South recently took part in an It’s A Knockout competition for charity. The foursome, including members of the TPN operations team, wore distinctive bright pink superhero capes and masks for the event. 21 teams took part in the day-long event, and although Riva South did not win, they helped raise £3,250 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

GCD saves TPN Partners money on AdBlue

GC Distribution has struck a deal to save TPN Partners almost 25% of their AdBlue costs, with the product being shipped out through the network. For an even bigger saving, TPN is allowing the empty containers to come back through the network for free for refilling.

Recent inflationary pressures have seen the cost of AdBlue, an additive necessary for truck emissions control, leap almost 400%. It has now reached circa £1,000 per 1,000 litres – an amount which would last 30 trucks approximately two weeks.

TPN Partners can buy the additive for £775 per 1,000 litres.

Graham Paine, MD of GC Distribution, says: “The cost of almost every aspect of our operations is climbing. AdBlue has increased its cost fourfold since 2021, as it is made from ethanol which is a by-product of natural gas.”

TPN Partners and the Hub are exploring more ways they can work together to control spiralling logistics costs which have a negative impact on network operations, customers and the UK cost of living.

TPN Partners who would like to participate in the scheme can contact GC Distribution directly.

Major move for Mars-Jones

TPN member Mars-Jones has expanded into new premises to support the company’s ongoing growth.

The company has moved to new premises in North Wales, not far from its previous headquarters in Denbigh. Imogen Watson-May, Business Development Manager for Mars-Jones, said: “We were split over three locations but we have consolidated the operations into two premises. We’ve got a larger warehouse and the offices are newly refurbished, making for a really pleasant working environment.”

As part of the expansion, the company has also invested in five new tractor units, all from Renault Trucks’ T High series. Features include Renault’s Eco technology to help drivers improve fuel economy, as well as Pulse and Glide mode which maintains vehicle speed when in cruise control.

Mars-Jones has also purchased a new three-tonne forklift truck. “These help us with productivity and give us more options as to what we can carry,” added Imogen.

Hi-Speed IT manager commits a year to get fit for charity

An IT manager who has been diagnosed with a pre-cancerous condition is raising money and awareness to help others.

John Hockerday, who works for Guildford-based Hi-Speed Services, was recently diagnosed with MGUS, which can develop into multiple myeloma, better known as blood cancer. John has embarked on a year-long campaign to raise awareness of both conditions and raise money for two charities; Myeloma UK and Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.

“I wanted to be fit and healthy just in case I do have to undergo any treatments,” said John, “I challenged myself to take on a running event each month I’ve already done a half marathon with Hi Speed, a 10k run, and I’m doing a Tough Mudder next month.

John has set up a website, Run for MGUS, which you can find here.

Congratulations to TPN Partner DELSOL on their 20th anniversary

DELSOL Company Owner Statement, by Simon Walker:

"For 20 years, DELSOL has been a trusted provider of 'delivery solutions' for North Wales, and Cheshire, delivering exceptional service to our valued customers.
We are grateful for the unwavering support of our customers and dedicated employees who have made our journey a success.

As we celebrate this momentous occasion, we would like to show our appreciation by offering monthly surprise giveaways through our partnerships with local businesses.
Keep an eye out for the QR code on our vehicles to join in the celebration - Scan the code for a chance to win!

Looking ahead, we are committed to serving our community with even greater excellence and pride. Our 20-year milestone is a testament to our resilient and determined staff and our loyal customers; we couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for being a part of our story."

Stowmarket-based Bacton invests in new trailers from Lawrence David

Stowmarket-based Bacton Transport has bought two new double-deck trailers from Lawrence David. The trailers are fleet additions to accommodate the high growth in pallet volumes and customer interest the company is seeing. One of the trailers has been liveried for long-time customer Total Tiles.

“We wanted to say thank you to Total Tiles for its ongoing commitment to Bacton Transport and TPN,” says Bacton MD Charles Downie. “It will no doubt be put to very good use in 2019 as they are anticipating very high order levels this year.”

The post Stowmarket-based Bacton invests in new trailers from Lawrence David appeared first on The Pallet Network.