» fiona

Palletforce’s brilliant employees have once again been recognised at this year’s annual Delivering, Better Awards.

The Awards are the culmination of a year-long process to identify those members of staff who, in their own way, have contributed to Palletforce’s ongoing success by going the extra mile.

The award categories range from teamwork and honesty to quality and agility, and the finalists in each are from all departments at Palletforce’s central Hub, including apprentices from the highly successful Palletforce Academy.

They were selected following a series of monthly meetings featuring specially-appointed Employee Champions. The finalists in each category were decided in December.

Highlights of the ceremony, which was held at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium, included Jack Boylin winning the Apprentice of the Year Award, Ivo Augstkalnietis being voted FLT Driver of the Year, and Gemma Hewitt from European Admin who received the award for Employee Champion of the Year.

In addition, Kate Lovatt and Jo Duncan of the Amazon Implementation team were presented with the Outstanding Business Contribution Award, while Superstar of the Year went to the entire SuperHub team – who also picked up the Efficiency Award.

In all there were winners in 16 categories, all of whom were presented with a glass trophy and a certificate.

Palletforce chief executive Michael Conroy also received a special long-service award for his 10 years at the helm, presented by network founding members Geof Armstrong from Wm Armstrong and Tony Suggitt from Redhead International.

Michael said: “The Delivering, Better culture programme is a key foundation for our continuing success and I am delighted to see our next generation of supervisors, managers, directors coming through, and somewhere even our next chief executive.

“None of what we have achieved as a company would have been possible without their superb and often selfless efforts and professionalism.”

Finalists: Gemma Hewitt (European Admin), Mathew Plant (IT), Scott Grist (FLT driver).

Finalists: Terrence Brown (QTR), Kate Lovatt (IT), Kevin Vaughan (Member Relations).

Finalists: Carl Bywater (Operations), Shaun James (FLT driver), Ruth Kitson (Finance).

Finalists: Kevin Jackson (Network Operations), Ruth Kitson (Finance), Jack Eaton (FLT apprentice).

Finalists: Michael Cunningham (Site Operations), Wendy Coxon (Finance), Gemma Hewitt (European Operations).

Finalists: Ivo Augstkalnietis (FLT driver), Susanne Warfield (Depot Support), SuperHub Team (Steven Davies, Mark Wilcock, Matthew Liversage, Terry Gould, Kieran Lavill, Jonathan Whiting, Stuart Geldard and Carl Wadsworth).

Finalists: Marketing Team (Dannielle Owen, Megan Mosley and Emily Portman), Lee Murphy (Facilities), Kieran Lavill (FLT driver)

Finalists: Depot 900 (Joanne Diver, Kim Raffle and Lindsey Kelly-Walley), Karen Hugo (Depot Support), Network Operations (Alex Restall, Kevin Jackson, Abigail Lear and Richard Moss).

10 years: Michael Conroy, David Holland, Penny Bailey, Laura Okell, Debbie Stokes and Robert Maskell (UKFM).

Wyvern Cargo joins Palletforce network

Wyvern Cargo has become the latest leading UK haulier to join Palletforce, boosting the global distribution network’s presence in the south of England.

The Dorset-based firm brings more than 40 years’ experience to the network. Initially established to provide freight forwarding services, Wyvern Cargo now specialises in distribution and warehousing for blue chip clients such as Jordans Ryvita.

Until 2017 the firm was the service partner of FedEx UK, covering the Dorset and West Hampshire area.

Managing director Evan Sparrowhawk said: “Over the last few years our volumes have grown to the extent that we knew it was time to move to a larger network.

“Palletforce ticks all the boxes in terms of growth and capacity, while the ongoing investment in technology makes it a market leader in this competitive sector.

“We are in a position, because of our location, to offer the kind of service the network requires and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with the Palletforce team.”

In addition to a purpose built depot in Poole, Wyvern Cargo recently opened a 60,000 sq ft warehouse near Bournemouth Airport and there is also a Midlands distribution centre in Wellingborough, Northants. The total fleet comprises 75 vehicles and 100 trailers.

Palletforce’s member relations director David Breeze said: “Wyvern Cargo has a proven pedigree, and as one of the leading operators in the south they will further strengthen our presence and consolidate our position as sector leaders in this crucial area.

“We are delighted to welcome Evan and his team and look forward to the positive contribution they will undoubtedly make to the Palletforce network.”

Palletforce continues Brand Partnership with David Bogie

Palletforce has strengthened its brand partnerships with leading sports stars after continuing its association with top British rally star David Bogie. Former British rally champion Bogie will act as a brand ambassador for 2019 as he joins world rally star Kris Meeke and world enduro rider Billy Bolt in helping to generate media exposure and promote the Palletforce brand.

Palletforce, part of UK logistics group EV Cargo, will benefit from significant brand exposure, promoting its express distribution services over six events in England, Belgium, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland – with live coverage from each event broadcast online.

Bogie, who was both British and Scottish rally champion in 2011, is one of the championship favourites and will be pushing for victory this weekend on the season-opening Cambrian Rally in north Wales.

The 53-mile event is based in Llandudno and takes in famous rally stages through the Clocaenog forests. The tricky gravel roads will prove a demanding battleground for the first round of the British series which has attracted the best drivers from across the UK and Ireland.

Dave Holland, Palletforce sales and marketing director, said: “Partnering with David Bogie in the British Rally Championship opens up a range of marketing benefits, allowing the Palletforce brand to reach even more consumers through the media platform the championship offers. The high-octane sport is a natural fit to promote our express distribution services across UK, Ireland and Europe.”

David Bogie said: “It’s great to be back for another season in the British Rally Championship with the support of Palletforce. We had some strong results together last year and I’m aiming to build on those using my experience of the events. We had a good test on gravel during the week and the first round this weekend has drawn a strong entry so it’s going to be an exciting start to the championship.”

Kris Meeke sets World Rally pace with Palletforce

Palletforce international brand ambassador Kris Meeke got his FIA World Rally Championship challenge off to a flying start at Rallye Monte Carlo. On his debut event with the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, Meeke quickly got to grips with a new car and co-driver to claim the fastest time on the final Power Stage and finish six overall.

The Northern-Irish driver got his new partnership with Palletforce off to the best possible start after topping the time-sheets through the pre-event shakedown on Thursday. And, despite jumping into competition with the Toyota Yaris WRC for the first time, he and new co-driver Seb Marshall set a string of top times during the opening day’s action around Gap close to the French Alps.

Unfortunately, two broken wheel rims and punctured tyres saw the pair drop over six minutes and down to eighth in the standings. But they battled back in the tough winter conditions throughout Saturday, setting second fastest times on all but one stage.

Rallye Monte Carlo is famed for its challenging weather conditions – with drivers faced with snow, ice, damp and dry Tarmac roads all in the one competitive stage – making tyre choice a real lottery. But Meeke used his experience and mastered the chilly mountain conditions to quickly move up to sixth ahead of the final day showdown.

As the race moved to Monaco, Meeke ended a stunning debut by going fastest on the rally’s final Power Stage, which offers bonus points for the top-five drivers, even when the leaders were locked in a titanic battle for victory.

The extra points moved Meeke up to fourth in the overall championship classification as the series heads to Rally Sweden in February for more action on snow and ice, this time through the frozen Scandinavian forests.

Dave Holland, Palletforce sales and marketing director, said: “Kris has had a very successful start to the season and it’s great that Palletforce has been able to be part of that and benefit from the global brand exposure that this opportunity delivers. Monte Carlo is renowned for being a huge challenge and it’s a great sign for the future that he is up to speed with the new car, team and co-driver so soon.”

Kris Meeke said: “To win the Power Stage was an incredible way to finish our first rally with Toyota Gazoo Racing. We only set one fastest time this weekend but we did it when it counted. Other drivers were still fighting for their positions until the end, so to put it on the line and come away with the five extra points is great. The feeling with the car is really good. Finally, everything seems to be coming together for me, but we’re only one rally in, so we have to stay concentrated now and look forward to Sweden.”

Palletforce appoints world rally star as international brand ambassador

Europe’s premier express distribution network Palletforce has appointed a top world rally driver as one of its international brand ambassadors for 2019, as part of the plan to grow its global brand and services. Palletforce, part of the EV Cargo group, has partnered with Northern Ireland rally star Kris Meeke in his quest to challenge for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) title.

With the world-wide reach of the wider EV Cargo group allowing Palletforce to extend its international services to members, the support for 39-year-old Meeke will see its brand displayed on his racesuit and cap and promoted to fans in over 120 countries.

This year Meeke has swapped teams and will join the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team for the first time – providing him with his best shot ever at the world rally title.

The rally star is one of the fastest in the world and will be pushing hard to take rally wins and challenge for championship honours. His new Toyota team is reigning world manufacturer champions and Meeke has already been testing the Toyota Yaris WRC car on gravel and Tarmac ahead of the championship’s opening round at Rallye Monte Carlo this week.

Meeke’s flamboyant driving style and full-commitment approach has gained him a strong world-wide fan-base and that popularity will help promote the Palletforce brand during 2019. The WRC is broadcast to 850 million TV viewers with every stage shown live – there are also 4 million avid fans who attend the 14-event series across the globe.

The WRC got off to a flying start after its official launch at the Autosport International Show last weekend where Meeke got to show off his 2019-specification Yaris WRC in front of the world’s media.

The opening round of the series is the iconic Rallye Monte Carlo, where Meeke is likely to face dry roads, wet roads, snow and ice – all within the same competitive stage. It kicks off from Gap in the French Alps on Thursday night with competitors aiming for the finish line in Monaco on Sunday afternoon.

Dave Holland, Palletforce sales and marketing director, said: “Our partnership with Kris will see the Palletforce brand gain exposure on a global stage, with the WRC’s impressive reach into 120 countries. It will also be aligned with a number of global technology and consumer giants such as Microsoft, Panasonic and Toyota. That’s important as we grow our international brand and world-wide business moving forward.”

Kris Meeke said: “I’m really looking forward to this partnership with Palletforce and to become their international brand ambassador for 2019. I have a great opportunity with Toyota, the Yaris looked awesome throughout 2018 and I take confidence from the fact the car seems competitive on all surfaces and that the team took the Manufacturers’ title. I simply want to enjoy my driving again, if I can recapture that feeling, then there’s no reason why I can’t still achieve my personal targets.”

Mitchell Storage & Distribution moves to Palletforce to enable growth

An award-winning family firm has become the latest leading UK haulier to become a Palletforce member, further boosting the network’s coverage in the busy East Midlands area.

Owner and managing director William Mitchell founded the company in 1998 as a one-man-one-van operation providing a courier service to local homes and businesses. Today the firm has a staff of 42, including William’s wife Kerry and their daughter Jade.

William said: “With our business expanding, we felt it was time to move forward to accommodate our growth plans. We looked at all possibilities within the sector and every time on every point, Palletforce came out top.

“When it comes to service, investment and technology Palletforce in our opinion is unparalleled and I am absolutely delighted that we meet the criteria required to become part of the UK’s leading network.”

Mitchells has a wide variety of customers across many sectors, many of whom have made the transition with MSD and will all now enjoy the full advantages of being part of the Palletforce network and the huge service reach of the EV Cargo group.

Palletforce chief executive Michael Conroy said: “Mitchell Storage & Distribution is yet another first-class addition to the growing Palletforce membership, and we are delighted to have them on board. With their experience, reputation and operational values I have no doubt they will prove an invaluable asset in the East Midlands and to the network as a whole.

“Palletforce is leading the sector by continually investing in infrastructure and technology to connect trade, pioneer technology and create the capacity required to enable growth. That strategy continues to attract the best members with the same growth aspirations as we have.”

Palletforce staff honoured for “Delivering, Better”

Wyvern Cargo joins Palletforce network

Palletforce continues Brand Partnership with David Bogie

Kris Meeke sets World Rally pace with Palletforce

Palletforce appoints world rally star as international brand ambassador

Mitchell Storage & Distribution moves to Palletforce to enable growth