A close working relationship nurtured by mutual trust, respect and collaboration has been key to a solid partnership between Guyhirn-based Bretts Transport and The Pallet Network (TPN) for the past two decades.
Bretts, which is also marking 90 years in business this year, started working with TPN in November 2003, building a solid relationship with local network member for the Peterborough postcode TPN Anglia which is now known as W S Transportation (Wisbech).
In that time the relationship has continued to go from strength to strength, growing and evolving in line with Bretts’ growing business and changes to the industry and customer demands.
Today the network delivers 150 to 200 pallets per week on behalf of Bretts, compared with an average 20 pallets per week in the early days. The number of deliveries is set to continue rising from December 2023 as Bretts brings more customers on board and makes more use of the network.
Simon Brett, Managing Director of Bretts, said: “We have an excellent working relationship with TPN.
“We had used a range of networks before deciding upon TPN, but it was the network we felt was most closely aligned with our own business needs. Nowadays our customers require smaller, more frequent deliveries than they used to but by working collaboratively with W S Transportation and their fellow members, we have been able to drastically cut the mileage across our fleet, reducing our carbon emissions while providing a fast, efficient, cost effective service to our customers.”
Matt Gilbert is the General Manager of W S Transportation (Wisbech). His father Richard founded TPN Anglia in 2002 and joined the TPN network – the year before Bretts became one of the company’s first and main accounts.
Matt said: “Bretts is a well-established, local haulier and we have an excellent working relationship with the company which shares our same values – namely a can-do attitude and a flexible approach to make things happen for the benefit of each and every customer.
“Working with a company like Bretts, we look for a level of detail and a standard of presentation in the goods we deliver. We need the freight presented in the correct manner and we need to know all customer requirements to avoid issues with the deliveries. Bretts is an excellent company to work with, and being upfront and honest on both sides when problems or challenges arise has been the basis of our successful relationship.”
Matt said the fact that Bretts’ customer base is made up of long-term partnerships offering regular and repeat business has brought added advantages to TPN and its 130 members. He said: “It allows us to build strong relationships with our contacts at the delivery points, in turn enhancing and simplifying the delivery process which is a win-win for ourselves as well as for Bretts and their customers.”
