Local distribution company drives ahead

Norfolk-based distribution company Jack Richards & Sons, a member of Palletways, has expanded its fleet of vehicles to accommodate its growing number of national and international customers.

Three new vehicles have been purchased, bringing the total number in the companys Palletways fleet to eleven. The vehicles purchased by Jack Richards & Sons include three new Montracon Slope Front Double Deck trailers.

The sloped front allows better airflow around the trailer to maximise fuel efficiencies. In addition to the trailers, Jack Richards & Sons has purchased five new DAF LF55 rigid vehicles as part of its renewal programme. The company has also invested in manual handling equipment including five new Toyota Pro-Lift Pallet Trucks, which have already reduced the amount of time and effort taken to move heavy pallets during deliveries.

Peter Brown, Managing Director of Jack Richards & Sons, said: Not only will the expansion in our vehicle fleet allow us to continue to develop our business via the Palletways network, but will also enable us to maintain the leading edge service that we provide to our customers as we grow. Pallet networks, which are designed to distribute small consignments of palletised freight, are ideally placed to help companies weather the current economic slowdown.

Jack Richards & Sons is one of 100 plus UK Palletways members - all independent transport companies with local knowledge and expertise - which make up the UK distribution network and provide a range of express delivery services including next day, economy and timed delivery options. All the members deliver small consignments of palletised goods to market faster and more cost effectively than traditional methods.

Palletways, which was set up in 1994, has 270 plus depots across the UK and mainland Europe and handles circa 21,000 pallets a day through nine hub facilities across Europe.  The companys distribution networks in the UK and mainland Europe are supported by an unrivalled and fully integrated IT infrastructure, which allows customers to track and trace consignments using the internet.