ISSUE 7 / AUTUMN - WINTER 2012
PW GATES DOUBLE-DECK
SUPER TRAILER MAKES A GRAND ENTRANCE THE 9TH ANNUAL
SUMMIT, GALA AND AWARDS
NEW OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
LISA BURROWS
OUR CHARITY GOLF DAY OUR £6000 DONATION TO BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
ALL ABOARD THE DOUBLE-DECKER NEW PALLET-TRACK NETWORK TRAILER MAKES A SAVING OF UP TO 20% PER PAYLOAD AND FORMS PART OF GOVERNMENT ROAD TRIAL TO CUT CONGESTION. A business model that has defied the economic downturn with double-digit growth throughout the recession has launched its latest weapon as part of its bid to boost the UK’s biggest palletised freight network.
run overnight between here and the Pallet-Track hub in Wolverhampton. We report every detail of performance and fuel efficiency back to the government and if the trial is deemed a success, these trailers could become the norm as businesses strive to reduce costs without compromising performance. Although they are bigger, the larger payload means that fuel consumption will remain about the same, but with greater efficiency.”
Welwyn Garden City-based PW Gates Distribution, part of the UK-wide Pallet-Track network, has unveiled its new Mercedes Actros tractor units and a new 15.6 metre double-deck trailer, an investment that will increase its payload by 20 percent as well as dramatically reduce costs and increase operational efficiencies by allowing eight standard size pallets and up to 16 lighter ones per payload. With less than 2,000 units on the UK roads and being longer than the conventional trailer, the PW Gates unique double-deck is part of a national government performance and safety initiative which is being monitored by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). The 10-year pilot could determine if the trailers will become the norm on UK A-roads and motorways as part of a drive to reduce congestion. Managing director Peter Gates said: “We are one of a few companies that have successfully applied for and obtained the special licence to operate these longer trailers that will
“THE ABILITY TO DELIVER MORE THROUGH THIS NEW TRAILER IS A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT FOR PW GATES AND THE NETWORK AS A WHOLE” Nigel Parkes MANAGING DIRECTOR - PALLET-TRACK
Chris Lynch, PW Gates’ business development director, added: “As an organisation we have to be ahead of the game and invest in our systems and our infrastructure. We also need to optimise our transport operation and look for that angle that gives us a competitive edge. Getting costs down in today’s climate is key. Part of this strategy is a more efficient utilisation of the fleet and investment in new equipment as well as taking advantage of new opportunities. The ability to operate a new longer 15.6 metre double-deck trailer represents just such an opportunity. And, it’s in line with our pioneering attitude here within the Gates organisation.” The new 15.6 metre trailer, supplied by Lawrence David in Peterborough, has an overall height of 4.88 metres. The curtain-sider has wraparound rear curtains (the Lawrence David ‘Maxcess’ design system) which maximises rear access capabilities and means significant time is saved in the loading, unloading and the scanning process. The trailer uses a self-steer configuration and the rearmost axle is a BPW 27 degree self-tracker. The rear axles run on 245/70R17.5 tyres keeping deck height as low as possible (1.0 metre loading height) and leaving maximum internal height availability (over 3.7 metres internal height). Chris Lynch added: “Our business, supported by our Pallet-Track business partners, has grown beyond our expectations and now we’re looking at additional capacity, over and above what we already have. We need to plan for the increase in business that’s just around the corner.” “Every operation is different but, in the long term, 13.6 metre trailers will virtually disappear from our roads. Those that weigh out before cubing out will go for the 14.6 metre length and others, like us that cube out before weighing out, will go for the longer 15.6 metre. In the end, it’s just down to simple economics.” Nigel Parkes, managing director of Wolverhamptonbased Pallet-Track which has trebled its size in less than a decade, said: “We have more than 70 partner organisations around the UK, all of which strive to innovate in their own local and regional markets and look to our broader network to maximise that competitive edge. The ability to deliver more through this new trailer is a significant development for PW Gates and the network as a whole.”
PALLET-TRACK CELEBRATED ITS SEVENTH ANNUAL GOLF DAY WELCOMING MEMBERS AND SPONSORS ONCE AGAIN TO THE IMMACULATE SURROUNDINGS OF MORLEY HAYES CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSE IN DERBYSHIRE. The competition played under Stableford rules on the PGA Championship Course, featured 16 four-ball teams playing off two tees. The eventual winners were Courier Logistics and one of their players Ian Crossley won nearest the pin. The longest drive was won by Andy Gore who played in the IDM team and runners up were the Grandslammers. Everyone had a great day and the event was helped along by the fantastic support of Towergate, Vigo and Deker. Towergate sponsored the ninth hole and supplied refreshments for all the players around the course. Deker sponsored the tables and Vigo and Towergate supplied raffle prizes.
The support from shareholder members who were unable to come on the day was immense. All of the golf holes were supported by more than one member, which helped increase the revenue for Birmingham Children’s Hospital - Pallet-Track’s adopted charity partner for 2012. £6,000 was raised on the day and donated to the oncology children’s ward.
THE WINNING TEAM COURIER LOGISTICS
GOOD SHOTS, BAD SHOTS AND A FEW IN THE ROUGH
A HUB VISIT Shahaji Sattar, corporate partnerships consultant and Jacky Hotchin, clinical lead nurse from Birmingham Children’s Hospital came to the hub to collect their cheque, which was presented to them by finance director Rob Eaton. It gave Shahaji and Jacky a chance to tell us about the oncology children’s ward and their latest campaign: to raise £4 million for the Children’s Cancer Centre Appeal. The appeal is the biggest to date for the hospital and aims to improve the lives of the 3,000 cancer patients who are treated at the hospital each year, by transforming the cancer unit facilities and accommodation. The current unit is over 30 years old and the service has outgrown capacity. The £4 million will enable the hospital to increase space around patients’ beds, provide better communal areas for families and improve the outpatients’ area. The star of this campaign is eight-year-old Abigail Alessi. Abigail is being treated for Ewings Sarcoma, a very rare type of bone cancer that only affects around 30 children in the UK every year. She wanted to be involved with the Children’s Cancer Centre Appeal to raise awareness of the lifesaving work of the hospital and to encourage people to donate. Her picture will be on billboards across the city.
SHAHAJI SATTAR AND JACKY HOTCHIN OF BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AND ROB EATON FROM PALLET-TRACK
Pallet-Track would like to thank all of the participants on the day and would also like to thank the sponsorship from the other depots. If you would like to find out more about the Children’s Cancer Centre Appeal, you can go to www.bch.org.uk/cc_splash
“£6000 WAS RAISED FOR THE CHARITY ON THE DAY AND WAS DONATED TO THE ONCOLOGY CHILDREN’S WARD.”
FOLLOWED BY OUR NETWORK AWARDS CEREMONY
OUR 9TH ANNUAL SUMMIT AND GALA WAS A HUGE SUCCESS THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SPEAKERS AND EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED THE PALLET NETWORK MARKET IS LOOKING VERY HEALTHY – IT’S ONE OF THE FEW INDUSTRIAL SECTORS THAT HAS EXPERIENCED
The Pallet-Track Ninth Annual Summit and Gala event took place at Whittlebury Hall in Northampton. John Allen, Pallet-Track’s chairman, opened the event with his welcome speech closely followed by Nigel Parkes, Pallet-Track’s managing director. Rob Eaton, Pallet-Track’s financial director, was next on the podium to cover the financial business of the day, and Carl Jones, Pallet-Track’s commercial director, presented central insurance, information technology and network development. Roy Dowen addressed the member audience to talk about the Pallet-Track Members’ Trust. Roy is the chairman of the trust and delivered all the facts and figures for 2012. Mark Bailey, Pallet-Track’s network director, was the last speaker to the podium before the guest speakers.
GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS, AND CONTINUES TO DO SO AND PALLET-TRACK IS OUTPERFORMING THE GROWTH OF THE SECTOR.
Roy Dowen - Chairman of Pallet-Track Members Trust
SUMMIT
SUMMIT
GALA
Sarah Bell, traffic commissioner for the West of England, was the first guest speaker and kicked off her presentation with key statutory guidance and direction followed by the new EU regulations and driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). Miss Bell’s last topic was ‘Most Serious Infringements’ (MSIs) – offences and infringements leading to the mandatory referral direct to a Traffic Commissioner with a possibility of revocation as an outcome. A show of hands in the room revealed clearly that few were familiar with the nature and meaning of most of the MSIs introduced in December 2011 and EC Regulation 1071/2009. Miss Bell finished the presentation with Q&A session after delivering some points on how to keep the Traffic Commission happy and some of the reasons why there might be a referral to the Traffic Commission.
Miss Sarah Bell - Traffic Commissioner for the West of England
Helen Gallimore - Little Dot
Helen Gallimore from Little Dot presented an analysis and comparison on the industry’s KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). Helen is an independent consultant engaged by the Association of Pallet Networks and collates the network’s statistics and as such gives an unbiased and independent view of that data. Some very flattering facts about Pallet-Track came out of the presentation: the Pallet Network market is looking very healthy – it’s one of the few industrial sectors that has experienced growth in recent years, and continues to do so – and Pallet-Track is out-performing the growth of the sector. She also said that Pallet Networks deliver excellent and consistent service to their customers; Pallet-Track delivers ahead of the group and leads the marketplace in quality of service.
From left to right - Mark Bailey, Carl Jones, Nigel Parkes, John Allen and Rob Eaton
Our last guest speaker was Peter Carroll from FairFuel UK who delivered a very animated presentation. Fair Fuel UK wanted to show our members how they are using the strength of a united lobbying voice to pressure the government. Since the creation of FairFuel UK, fuel increases have been postponed. This is not a coincidence. They recently presented a comprehensive report to the government which clearly showed how fuel duty increases seriously damage our economy. To show our support, we have agreed to be a sponsor via the Association of Pallet Networks. To find out more about FairFuel UK go to www.fairfueluk.com
“BY STOPPING EVERY FUEL DUTY INCREASE SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN JAN 2011, FAIRFUELUK HAS HELPED TO SAVE EVERY UK HAULIER 9P PER LITRE. THE MORE COMPANIES THAT SUPPORT US, THE MORE WE CAN ACHIEVE.” Peter Carroll - FairFuel UK
RECEPTION
THE GALA EVENING KICKED OFF WITH A CHAMPAGNE DRINKS RECEPTION AND A PHOTO SESSION IN THE LOUNGE TO GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE TO CATCH UP ON EVENTS BEFORE THE DINNER
Derek Burns and the team from Burns Express
The Station Couriers UK Ltd team enjoying the drinks reception
PGS Global Logistics Ltd turned out in force
The glamorous girls from Datapace before the Gala evening
The guys from S. Cooper & Sons Ltd
The whole P.W. Gates team enjoying themselves at the reception
ROD WOODWARD JOINED US TO PRESENT OUR AWARDS AND SHARE A BIT OF COMEDY BEFOREHAND Rod Woodward - Comedian
Rod Woodward joined us to present our awards and share a bit of comedy beforehand. Rod is an award-winning comedian who won the BBC comedy competition Funny Business in February 2008. He has supported Paddy McGuiness on his 110-night nationwide tour, appeared with Russell Brand at St. David’s Hall in Cardiff last summer and most recently appeared with Michael McIntyre. He has performed for some of the largest corporate companies across Europe and is regarded as one of the best comedians in the business. He has been described by Peter Kay as ‘a young Dave Allen’. Rod Woodward is the son of eminent Welsh sports writer, Karl Woodward, and had planned to follow his father and take up a career in the media but, when offered a job as a studio audience warm-up man at HTV Wales, took a year out from university to pursue his childhood ambition of becoming a professional comedian. The 32-year-old from Machen, South Wales, has been in big demand on the corporate circuit for many years and recent successes have gained him much wider public awareness.
AWARDS NIGHT Pallet-Track held an annual awards ceremony that acknowledges the efforts of its shareholder members. There were seven awards and the categories were: Trunk Driver of the Year, Best New Depot, Most Improved Sales, Best Delivery Depot, Members Depot of the Year, Hub Employee of the Year and Hub Depot of the Year. The winners were announced and given their awards after a hilarious set by Rod Woodward who hosted the ceremony with the help of the Pallet-Track directors.
ROB EATON, PALLET-TRACK’S FINANCE DIRECTOR, WAS INVITED TO THE STAGE TO PRESENT THE FIRST AWARD, TRUNK DRIVER OF THE YEAR. This award acknowledges the fantastic work done by each one of the two hundred trunk drivers that visit the Pallet-Track hub each night and is voted for by PalletTrack’s night management team Last year’s winner was Mike Delgardo at R R Transport Ltd. This year’s nominations were: Marek Pogonowski, John Pontin and Wayne Johnston and the award went to Wayne Johnston of Fresh Freight Ltd, accepted on his behalf by Peter Moffat.
Rob Eaton – Pallet-Track’s Finance Director - first award Trunk Driver of the Year Peter Moffat collects the award on behalf of Wayne Johnston - Fresh Freight Ltd
CARL JONES, PALLET-TRACK’S COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, PRESENTED THE NEXT AWARD, BEST NEW DEPOT. There are four qualifying depots for this award, all of which have adapted well to the Pallet-Track ethos and navigated the processes and procedures with such efficiency that it proved to be a very hard decision for the board of directors to make. Last year’s winner was Aztek Logistics Ltd. This year’s nominations were: J.B. Wheaton & Sons Ltd, North Kent Distribution Ltd, PDX Logistics Ltd, Franklins Transport and Warehousing Ltd and the award went to J.B. Wheaton & Sons Ltd, accepted on their behalf by Kevin Henly.
Carl Jones - Pallet-Track’s Commercial Director - Best New Depot. Kevin Henly - J.B. Wheaton & Sons Ltd
AWARDS
JOHN ALLEN, PALLET-TRACK’S CHAIRMAN, PRESENTED THE AWARD FOR MOST IMPROVED SALES. This award recognises those depots in the network with the annual best sales. The results are based on statistics produced by Pallet-Track’s IT department. Last year’s winner was P.G.S. Global Logistics Ltd. This year’s nominations were: P.G.S Global Logistics Ltd, Sheldon Clayton Logistics Ltd, Prestige Packaging Solutions Ltd, Harrison Solway Logistics Ltd and the award went to P.G.S Global Logistics Ltd, it was accepted on their behalf by managing director Paul Eyles.
John Allen - Pallet-Track’s Chairman - Most Improved Sales. Paul Eyles - P.G.S Global Logistics Ltd
MARK BAILEY, PALLET-TRACK’S NETWORK DIRECTOR, PRESENTED THE NEXT TWO AWARDS. THE FIRST WAS BEST DELIVERY DEPOT. This award is voted for by the membership in each depot. It recognises the depots that provide an aboveaverage level of delivery service to their other network members. Last year’s winner was Bartrums Road Services Ltd. This year’s nominations were: Osborne Motor Transport Ltd, Courier Connections (Scotland) Ltd, Lynn Star Distribution & Logistics Ltd, Bartrums Road Services Ltd and the award went to Courier Connections (Scotland) Ltd, accepted on their behalf by general manager Stephen Hamilton and Martin McGeogh.
THE NEXT AWARD, PRESENTED BY MARK BAILEY, WAS MEMBERS DEPOT OF THE YEAR.
Mark Bailey - Pallet-Tracks Network Director - The Best Delivery Depot Award Stephen Hamilton & Martin McGeogh - Courier Connections (Scotland) Ltd
This award is also voted for by the network members. It recognises total service excellence from delivery to collection, finance and administration and all-round good practice. Last year’s winner was Lynn Star Distribution & Logistics Ltd. This year’s nominations were: Courier Connections (Scotland) Ltd, Bartrums Road Services Ltd, Osborne Motor Transport Ltd, Lynn Star Distribution & Logistics Ltd, and the award went to Osborne Motor Transport Ltd accepted on their behalf by Stan Kidney and Thomas Gagen.
Mark Bailey - Pallet-Tracks Network Director - Members Depot of the Year Stan Kidney & Thomas Gagen - Osborne Motor Transport Ltd
Nigel Parkes - Pallet-Track’s Managing Director - Hub Depot of the Year Roy Woodward, Colin Pearce & Andrew Burton - AFFA - Abingdon Freight Forwarding Agency Ltd
NIGEL PARKES, PALLET-TRACK’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, PRESENTED THE FINAL TWO AWARDS. THE FIRST WAS HUB EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR. Hub Employee of the Year is voted for by the directors and senior managers at Pallet-Track. The award recognises those who go the extra mile, are always willing to help, whether or not it is part of their job. Last year’s winner was Gemma Lees. This year’s nominations were: Lisa Plowman, corporate accounts services administrator, Nick Pytlinski, operations coordinator, Hariam Mohammed, FLT driver, Paul Mallin, FLT driver and the award went to Nick Pytlinski.
THE NEXT AWARD PRESENTED BY NIGEL PARKES WAS HUB DEPOT OF THE YEAR.
PALLET-TRACK HELD ITS 9TH ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY TO CELEBRATE THE SUCCESSES OF THE NETWORK THIS YEAR Nigel Parkes - Pallet-Track’s Managing Director Hub Employee of the Year - Nick Pytlinski
This award measures every aspect of compliance and performance over the past 12 months. Last year’s winner was James Wilby Ltd. This year’s nominations were: Affa - Abingdon Freight Forwarding Agency Ltd, Harrison Solway Logistics Ltd, Canute Haulage Group Ltd (Milnthorpe), Lynn Star Distribution & Logistics Ltd and the award went to Affa - Abingdon Freight Forwarding Agency Ltd, it was accepted on their behalf by Roy Woodward, Colin Pearce and Andrew Burton.
THE EVENING ENDED WITH MUSIC FROM OUR LIVE BAND HIGH TIME
After a wonderful three-course dinner and awards ceremony, the raffle was drawn. This year we had some fantastic prizes which included an iPad 4, iPod Nano, a digital camera donated by Towergate and an iPad Mini donated by Vigo. The other prizes were a Samsung HD-ready 32” LED TV, a Sony PS VITA Wi-Fi and a Roberts Expression portable DAB radio donated by Pallet-Track, raising £2,360 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, our charity partner for 2012. The evening ended with our band High Time with everyone joining in the fun and hitting the dance floor.
HEAD OF OPERATIONS HEADS TO THE PALLET-TRACK BOARD BLACK COUNTRY BUSINESS PALLET-TRACK CONTINUES TO DEFY THE UK’S THREATENED TRIPLE-DIP RECESSION – WITH THE HELP OF ITS OWN HOME-GROWN TALENT. AFTER NINE YEARS WITH THE COMPANY, HEAD OF OPERATIONS LISA BURROWS HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH THE SHARED MANDATE TO HELP DRIVE PALLET-TRACK’S AMBITIOUS GROWTH PLAN.
Although viewed as being in a traditionally male-dominated sector, Pallet-Track, which has a combined turnover in excess of £50 million and philosophy of recruiting and retaining talented managers, has rewarded Lisa with the role of operations director controlling the UK-wide distribution of thousands of palletised products from its central hub in Millfields Road in Wolverhampton.
A founding member of the Association of Pallet Networks (APN), Pallet-Track’s 73 network members around the UK bring their goods into its Wolverhampton hub for distribution by other network members. The ‘hub and spoke’ strategy that Lisa directs helps reduce costly fuel bills for small haulage companies and cuts empty running and congestion of the UK’s crowded road network.
Lisa joined the business in a sales role at the former Wednesbury site in 2004 before taking on the HR position to help with the growth of the business. At that time Pallet-Track employed just 15 people and had only 40 network members. Now there are over 100 people employed at the hub at the Titan Distribution Centre with a total 73 network members − and growing.
“We are a business based upon maximising productivity and one of my first priorities is to work with the team and the board towards creating an even better working environment as we grow the business,” she said.
In 2008, Lisa moved into the operations team and after just three years was promoted to head of department and feels it is the autonomy offered by Pallet-Track that has promoted her through the ranks. “I am very proud to become a board member of this company which has always had the refreshing attitude of giving everyone room to grow and develop their career options within the organisation. We encourage autonomous thinking and we want people to contribute and speak out − mutual respect is a cornerstone of the business,” said Lisa.
“Having a background in sales and HR is a strong plus because the job is about people skills and getting the best out of an already capable team. Pallet-Track believes people buy from people and they are the best assets the company has, which is why staff retention is so high.” Nigel Parkes, Pallet-Track’s managing director, said, “We were delighted to reward Lisa for her outstanding work. She thoroughly deserved the promotion and she will be a great asset to the board as we plan our very exciting future.”
“WE WERE DELIGHTED TO REWARD LISA FOR HER OUTSTANDING WORK – SHE THOROUGHLY DESERVED THE PROMOTION AND SHE WILL BE A GREAT ASSET TO THE BOARD AS WE PLAN OUR VERY EXCITING FUTURE.” Nigel Parkes MANAGING DIRECTOR - PALLET-TRACK
“There is a lot of talk about gender and this being a male dominated sector, but we are a business that encourages and attracts a lot of women to apply themselves and do well. Business should not be about positive or negative discrimination. It should be about getting the right mix of people and the correct balance to grow effectively.” “Pallet-Track will continue to expand because of people like Lisa who have themselves grown within the business because they work hard and understand the people-focussed philosophy which is hard-wired into our DNA.” Lisa, who grew up and still lives in Sedgley with her husband, has a 12-year-old son, is a horse-racing enthusiast, a season-ticket holder at Molineux and a keen gardener.
(l-r) Rob Eaton - Pallet-Track Finance Director, Nigel Parkes - Pallet-Track’s Managing Director, Lisa Burrows - Pallet-Track Operations Director and Carl Jones - Commercial Director
PALLET-TRACK IN THE NEWS 2012
VISIT THE NEWS CENTRE ON OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE PALLET-TRACK NEWS www.pallet-track.co.uk/news-centre/news.html
overnight pallet distribution The Pallet-Track service portfolio is extensive and highly competitive, offering our customers a choice of service options. With greater demands being placed on independent road haulage operators to provide quality services at home and abroad for their customers, Pallet-Track can provide a flexible link to cater for every delivery requirement. From our modern and impressive Titan Distribution Centre, Pallet-Track members are able to offer an unparalleled level of service. Through investment in people, information technology, and state-of-the-art materials handling, our network enjoys a fully structured service that is second to none in our industry. Our operation is equipped to cater to our rapidly increasing volumes of palletised freight, all of which is electronically scanned and tracked.
www.pallet-track.com
0870 385 0055 admin@pallet-track.com