Truswell Haulage leaves Palletforce for Palletline

Truswell Haulage has left Palletforce for Palletline in order to centralise pallet operations around its hub.

The Barnsley-based business, which was a Palletforce member for six years,  said that while there was no bad blood between it and its former network, the move would boost operational efficiency.

MD Ian Truswell told MT: “As the pallet distribution business has evolved and become more sophisticated over the years, Truswell has taken the initiative to move networks from Palletforce to Palletline in order to operate in a delivery area that places its Barnsley depot in the centre of its new delivery/collection postcode area.”

Truswell began its coverage of the HD, WF and part of S postcode areas on 13 March.

Palletline MD Graham Leitch said the family business was a “model company” for the network, and that other members had willingly given up some of their coverage to make space for Truswell.

He told Motortransport.co.uk: “Two of our existing members [Expect Distribution and Shepherd Distribution Services] have agreed to reduce their areas to allow Truswell to join the network.

“It wasn’t a territory that we had vacant, it’s that they’re a strong transport company that were looking for a new home and Palletline and our members pulled together to find them a route into the network.”

Leitch added that he thought the scenario was unique to Palletline because of its member shareholder set up.

A spokesman for Palletforce said: “Truswell Haulage was a good Palletforce member and we wish them well for the future. We have an excellent replacement in A Davies Transport, which is moving to Palletforce from Pall-Ex.”

Pall-Ex group MD Kevin Buchanan confirmed that Truswell’s departure from Palletline had “unfortunately led to Palletforce being able to offer A Davies Transport a more commercially attractive delivery area on this occasion”.

He added: “There is strong mutual respect between the two businesses. We wish Andy Davies, MD of A Davies Transport, and his team well and thank them for their support and participation over the years.

“Pall-Ex will be announcing its changes to the membership structure to cover A Davies Transport's former postcode areas over the next few weeks.”