Pall-Ex opens new Daventry hub on Fortec site as volumes soar

Pall-Ex has opened a 210,000sq ft hub on the same site as its newly acquired Fortec distribution facility, in order to accommodate rocketing freight volumes.

It said the central hub at Watling Park near Daventry will prove “vital” for freight handling for onward distribution during peak periods, such as Black Friday and Christmas.

The network said it was currently handling an extra 3,000 pallets per night compared with 2019.

Barry Byers, Pall-Ex UK MD said: “Despite major interruption and an unpredictable trading period, the Pall-Ex hub in Ellistown has seen daily pallet volumes increase significantly due to B2C market growth through ecommerce.

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“The additional capacity we can now utilise in Northamptonshire is an essential resource for our pallet network.”

Byers added that the new hub would be of particular benefit to members in the south as it would reduce mileage and driver journey times.

“The fact that we have been able to grow during what has been one of the sector’s most challenging years is testament to our members and their collective dedication to our customers,” he said.

Pall-Ex completed its acquisition of Fortec in the summer.