Now more than ever, businesses must scrutinise every aspect of their supply chain to create efficiencies. The effects of the European economic crisis require that businesses seek out flexible and cost-effective solutions, especially when getting their goods to market – which makes Palletline in great demand.
The palletised distribution specialist provides a vital service for 1000s of businesses, both in the UK and on the continent. The Palletline network gives its customers access to international distribution, backed by market leading technology, together with local knowledge and friendly customer service.
The re-launched Palletline Europe service offers a full import and export service to 29 countries, including newly added Macedonia. This means customers have the peace of mind of dealing with just one – highly trusted – network.
Daily departures to Europe are available, depending on destination, and fixed delivery lead times can be as little as two days. A simple dispatch system ensures a single vehicle collects both UK and European freight, reducing workload for customers (one vehicle, one set of paperwork, one slot on the dispatch bay).
Palletline Europe’s growing list of respected partners includes: Europa, CS Ellis, DSV and Immediate Transportation. Together they form an extensive, high quality network and a seamless delivery service that delivers excellent value for money.
The network offers a quick quote service and implements a transparent pricing structure with no fuel or currency surcharges. This year sees the introduction of quarter, half and full pallets to allow customers greater control over costs.
Kevin Buchanan, Managing Director of Palletline, explains the attention to detail and technology that makes it all possible:
“We have invested a significant amount into our freight management systems – and our quality control sets the benchmark for the industry. Each of Palletline Europe’s consignments is monitored by a robust track and trace system to ensure that we have full visibility every step of the way.
“Before the consignment even leaves the UK, it will pass through six scan points confirming transit times through the distribution hub, as well as several stringent quality checks before arriving at the UK departure point.
“Our chosen European Member then takes over the mantel, ensuring full visibility of line haul movements to the destination country and that freight progress is continually tracked on their systems.”
Palletline is able to offer digital signature capture in nine popular European destinations, including France, Germany and Scandinavia. All other deliveries are recorded on a hard copy proof of delivery document, copies of which are scanned in to the track and trace systems within a set timeline.
Online access to proof of delivery information provides customers with quick confirmation and certainty.
Established in 1992, Palletline revolutionised the market by creating an innovative ‘hub and spoke’ based system – meaning that all freight to be transported outside of a distributor’s local area is consolidated and sent to a central point before delivery to the customer. This model creates significant operational and environmental efficiencies, and reduces the cost of transporting smaller palletised shipments long distances – ensuring it remains the industry benchmark today.
In 2012 Palletline was the subject of widespread industry acclaim, following its attainment of ‘Network of the Year’ in the prestigious Motor Transport Awards. The awards shortlist was comprised solely of palletised distribution networks, making the win particularly significant for Palletline and a confirmation of its long held status as the industry’s most highly regarded network.
But the company is not content to rest on its laurels, as Kevin confirms: “2013 already looks set to beat last year. As well as benefitting from attracting some fantastic new members to the network, we’re really starting to see the rewards of our hard work and commitment to our customers. Our investment in technology is paying off in a big way and Palletline’s European service is stronger than ever.”
