Pallet-Track starts European delivery
Logistics business Pallet-Track has opened up its delivery service to 56 countries for the first time after servicing the UK exclusively for the last 10 years.
From Monday, April 13, the 80 members of the Wolverhampton-based Pallet-Track network were able to move their consignments into Europe after a partnership deal was signed with international supply chain specialists Hellmann Worldwide Logistics UK exactly a year ago.
The new alliance commenced in April 2014 and represented a significant step for both businesses – offering Pallet-Track access to a mature multi-modal European footprint and providing Hellmann with significant competitive inroads into the UK pallet network market.
Since then, Pallet-Track has received thousands of inbound European pallets into its giant 276,000 distribution hub in Millfields Road, Ettingshall, on a daily basis.
Now, the contract for European outbound freight which will see hundreds of consignments driving, flying and sailing to the continent.
Mark Pulford, Logistics Director at Pallet-Track who negotiated the deal with Hellmann Worldwide said; "Although we will start modestly, this will obviously build up as our shareholder members promote this service."
Pallet-Track had always planned to enter the European market, but only when the timing and the partnership were right.
Jodi Raphael, general manager of road freight for Hellmann Worldwide Logistics UK, said: "Since we signed the agreement last year, our partnership has worked seamlessly, allowing Hellmann to capitalise on growing its presence in the UK. Now we are working on generating synergies for our two businesses in Europe and we're confident that the relationship with Pallet-Track will only enhance our service levels."
Nigel Parkes, founder and managing director at Pallet-Track, said: "We have enjoyed a fantastic year, not just with the signing of the deal with Hellmann and appointing 14 new shareholder members, but also the opening of our London and southern hubs to reduce capacity in Wolverhampton in readiness for the forthcoming business growth.
"Our efforts have also been recognised by winning a number of industry awards for best practice and I am sure this move into other markets will help us secure new business and more silverware.
"It has been a win-win for both businesses. The partnership will significantly increase our volumes, give us multi-modal access to the key markets of Europe, and it has already granted Hellmann the UK reach it required."
