Palletways UK, Europe’s largest and fastest growing express palletised freight network, has taken delivery of 64 new branded Mercedes trucks and trailers for its owned depots operation. The £7m investment helps the company meet upcoming peaks in demand and its growth plans for the forthcoming year.
The arrival of 54 trucks and 10 trailers across Palletways’ owned depots in Cardiff, Bristol, London, Edinburgh and Glasgow is a marker in the sand to show the industry, competitors and new recruits how seriously Palletways takes its commitment to provide the best, safest experience for its drivers. All the new vehicles and trailers are fully liveried with Palletways corporate branding.
The Palletways network includes over 115 UK depots, six of which are owned by Palletways Group. Palletways Birmingham is located near the national hub in Staffordshire, with London, Edinburgh and Bristol, Cardiff and Glasgow near regional hubs.
Terry Morris, commercial director of Owned Operations, Palletways UK, adds: “This significant group investment provides the best possible experience for our drivers, and importantly equips them with the right tools to provide the right service to their customers as the market changes. Like most transport companies of our size, drivers are so important to recruit and retain and it’s a big issue across the country. The UK is currently 60,000 HGV drivers short and it’s predicted that by 2020 there’ll be shortfall of 150,000 drivers. Drivers take pride in the vehicles they’re responsible for if the conditions they’re working in are right. They want the most modern, up-to-date vehicles and trailers, so our fleet needs to impress.
“Some of our owned depots have seen transitions in recent years from independent haulage companies to the Palletways-owned depots they are known as today. New branded vehicles will help to reinforce their standing in their local market and further promote our business across the UK.”
The Mercedes vehicles are equipped with the latest innovations and technology including GPS, four-way cameras to assist manoeuvring, an improved vehicle turning circle and full cantilever tail lifts to make loading and unloading pallets easier and safer. Cabs offer a high level of driver comfort and convenience and the latest communications technology.
