The UK’s eight pallet networks have joined together, says the Association of Pallet Networks (APN), to offer their services for the movement of emergency supplies for critical services.
The UK’s pallet networks are uniquely placed to ensure timely and reliable supply of emergency goods to anywhere in the UK. Between them they have 30,000 employees, 750 depots, a fleet of 23,500 vehicles and offer 100% coverage by postcode.
Moreover pallet network members are leading distribution specialists within their own regions, so they already know their regional distribution centres, essential businesses, hospitals and community hubs.
APN Chairman Paul Sanders says: “We are uniquely placed to offer our services to ensure that emergency supplies coming from anywhere and destined for any corner of the UK, can be delivered quickly, safely and reliably to support critical services, whether in rural or urban settings.
“We would urge the government to take advantage of our unique skills set and infrastructure at this time of national crisis.”
“The supply of emergency supplies for critical operations – not least ensuring food in our supermarkets and well stocked pharmacies and hospitals – is one of the most important aspects of protecting the UK public during this crisis.”
Pallet networks are one of the most efficient forms of freight distribution enabling overnight deliveries of consignments of any size from a single pallet upwards, anywhere in the UK. Regional members collect freight from their local area, and transport it to the most appropriate regional Hub, where it is reloaded onto vehicles returning to its destination area.
This is a faster, more cost-effective and more carbon-sensitive approach to logistics than any other, harnessing collaboration between regional specialists all over the country acting as one. This is particularly important at a time when many users of essential goods are requiring small frequent deliveries of vital goods with many drop points within a given locality.
In 2019 UK pallet networks delivered 26 million pallets of goods.
“Our pallet networks are efficient, professional and practised,” says Sanders. “As a sector we are determined to pull together and put our huge resources, skill and professionalism at the disposal of our country.”