Pallet operators have formed their own trade organisation, the Association of Pallet Networks, to raise awareness of the network sector and to represent the interests of its members with media and government.
The association has eight networks in membership: Palletforce, Palletways, Pall-Ex, Fortec, Palletline, United Pallet Network, Palletrack and The Pallet Network.
They represent a total of 628 hauliers, almost 24,000 vehicles and over 11 million sq ft of warehouse space.
The association has appointed consultant Key3 Partners to set up a study of the sector, using online benchmarking to collect and collate information across the sector. It has also established a Health & Safety Forum Group made up of the health and safety representatives of each member network.
Association chairman Paul Sanders, managing director of Deker Trailers, said: “Up until now our collective interests have been very under-represented. I am delighted that the eight foremost pallet networks have all joined. The APN will be the voice of the industry and we have an excellent story to tell.”
