A need to offer market-leading equipment and infrastructure for current and future drivers at Lichfield-based Palletways’ Birmingham depot has prompted the logistics firm to invest £1.5m in a new fleet of vehicles.
Palletways’ Birmingham depot which is part of Europe’s largest and fastest growing express palletised freight network, has expanded its fleet by 17 new vehicles which includes three 44 tonne artic units and 11, 18 tonne rigid vehicles to handle deliveries across B and WS postcodes and three small delivery vehicles ideal for supporting its growing B2C deliveries.
Garry Curtis, general manager at Palletways Birmingham, said: “Our primary concern is operating a fleet that maximises our ‘up-time’. However, it has become clear in recent years that the industry is facing a recruitment challenge. In order to attract the best drivers, we need to offer market leading equipment and infrastructure and these new vehicles will offer our drivers a well-equipped, comfortable and modern working environment. The vehicles, which are Euro 6 compliant, also feature the most up-to-date telematics to allow us to track fuel efficiency and monitor driver behaviours.”
The fleet investment comes hot on the heels of the business moving to larger premises. Garry continues: “The relocation into a 45,000 sq ft facility, which is double the size of our previous depot, provides the capacity to cope with our growth plans and add value services and activities to our growing customer base.”
Palletways Birmingham, based at Fradley, has a 35-strong fleet, handles a total of 300,000 pallets a year and employs 60 staff in the Midlands.
Palletways consists of 400 depots across Europe, of which more than 100 are in the UK. The company’s distribution networks are made up of independent transport companies, including Palletways Birmingham, who share each other’s resources to deliver consignments of palletised freight to market with the highest levels of service.
