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Richards appointed as operations director following lengthy search
Industry veteran adds experience in TPN role By Carol Millett
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. “TPN has a young and promising operations team and I am excited about the opportunity to help them grow and develop.” MD Mark Kendall said: “Finding
Downes Transport reunites with its Pallet-Track ‘family’ Downes Transport has returned to Pallet-Track just over a year after it left the network for UPN. The Wiltshire haulier said the return to the pallet network it had previously been a member of for 14 years was like “coming home to the family” and it commenced covering the SP postcode from 4 October.
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Downes Transport director Craig Downes (pictured with Pallet Track chief executive Caroline Green) said: “Like Pallet-Track, we pride ourselves on service and quality and we know this is a perfect partnership. “Being part of a network such as Pallet-Track gives us the strong footing we need to continue providing an outstanding service to our customers, in light of the unprecedented challenges our industry has faced over the last 18 months.” Green said she was delighted to welcome the haulier back. In 2020 Downes Transport left Pallet-Track and joined UPN after being given 12 months’ notice by the network. Pallet-Track declined to comment on the reasons behind this.
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.”
The family of a man killed when a lump of concrete fell off a wagon and smashed through his windscreen are promoting the importance of securing loads. Steven Oscroft died last year when a rock fell from an HGV in Meden Vale, Nottinghamshire and landed on his car. Police arrested the lorry driver on suspicion of dangerous driving, but he was released without charge after a serious collision investigation concluded there were no offences against him or the haulage company, Paul Wainwright Construction Services. However, a coroner said action needed to be taken and he called on the DVSA to clarify legislation around securing loads. Gordon Macdonald, head of enforcement policy at the DVSA, said drivers, operators and consignors all play a part in safe loading. “DVSA is revising the guidance available on load security to ensure those involved in loading vehicles are fully aware of all safety requirements, and the implications of choosing to ignore the guidance,” he said.
Picture: Shutterstock
The Pallet Network (TPN) has appointed industry veteran Bob Richards (pictured) as operations director. Richards takes on the role that Mark Kendall vacated last January when he replaced Mark Duggan as MD. TPN’s new operations director will take responsibility for the day and night operations at its Minworth hub, and its regional hubs in Preston, Northampton and Coventry. Richards brings 30 years of experience to the role. Previous posts include general manager at David Hathaway Transport, divisional general manager at Palletways, general manager at Bidvest, and head of central operations at hygiene specialist PHS Group. He has also worked for Christian Salvesen, TDG, Heinz and Pall-Ex. Most recently, he ran his own logistics consultancy, Jacs Innovations. Richards said: “What impressed
Grieving family press for action on load security
Booker drivers agree new pay deal The threat of strike action among HGV drivers at Tesco-owned wholesaler Booker Retail Partners has been lifted after drivers accepted a new pay deal. The Unite union said industrial action was cancelled following a vote on the offer from the company. The long-running dispute involving all 40 drivers at Booker’s Thamesmead depot centred on what they claimed was a failure of the Tesco subsidiary to include them in a temporary £5 per hour pay uplift, which the company had
granted to drivers at its Hemel Hempstead site. Unite regional officer Paul Travers said its members voted “overwhelmingly” for the new pay deal. “It is a good deal that owes much to the solidarity that our members displayed during the dispute,” he added. “The details of the offer remain confidential. Our members are working normally and we wish to have a constructive dialogue with the management as we move forward.” 18.10.21
