The chief executive of Palletforce is celebrating 10 years at the helm of what is the UK’s leading, and now global, palletised freight distribution network.
Michael Conroy has overseen unprecedented growth at the company. Since joining Palletforce in 2008, volumes have more than doubled and the company now has an annual turnover in excess of £100 million.
Originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, Michael first made his name in the logistics sector with TNT, Parceline, ANC Logistics and FedEx. He was recruited by Palletforce when founder Mick Scarlett decided to step down after eight years.
Indeed one of his first actions as chief executive was to oversee the move to a £30 million custom-built site at Burton upon Trent. Previously the company, which was launched in 2001, was based at a disused airfield in nearby Fradley.
“I arrived at an old World War Two aircraft hangar and some bolted together Portakabins and I thought, what is this all about?” he recalled. “But after spending a couple of hours with the Palletforce team I thought, Wow! What a great concept, what a great business, what a great success story.”
Under his stewardship, Palletforce has become a market leader in the competitive express distribution sector, and now boasts over 100 members covering postcodes across the UK. Michael recently headed further expansion with the opening of the new SuperHub – a £50m world-class distribution facility creating the capacity to enable future growth.
Michael played a crucial role when Palletforce was acquired by EmergeVest in 2015, helping to secure the financial firepower to invest in the long-term future success of the company.
His vision has helped the company develop the best technology platforms, culminating in winning Best Use of Technology at the Motor Transport Awards this year, and expanding services firstly into Europe and then globally with an emphasis on Asia – with the Palletforce model set for a roll-out in Shanghai. This year the company has already posted record domestic volumes, while international volumes have increased by 45% over the last 12 months.
At this year’s Gala Awards Night, Michael was presented with a special award in recognition of his decade-long service.
He said: “Palletforce is unique, and I am proud to be the head of a company whose staff and members consistently strive to be the very best in the business. I have enjoyed every minute of the last 10 years, and I look forward to the next chapter in our remarkable success story.”
