The MD of the the Hazchem Network has said its specialism in ADR, a new hub and the fact that the regulations that underpin its work are European rather than EU mandated, means the business is facing the future with positivity.
Speaking to Motortransport.co.uk, Rob Symes who succeeded Ali Karim at the network last November, said that despite the recent structural ownership changes in the broader sector “we’re specialised so not competing in the same environment as the general pallet sector”.
It came after the boss of Pallet-Track revealed that the arrival of many deep-pocketed new owners in the pallet sector had influenced his thinking in regards the eventual sale of majority control at his network to TPA Capital earlier this year.
The Hazchem Network is backed by HW Coates and John Hackling Transport and the business is both debt-free and future-proofed thanks to a new central hub in Hinckley, Leicestershire.
Read more
- Arrival of new owners in the pallet sector drove Pallet-Track to increase its financial firepower through share sale
- Hazchem Network looks to the future with confidence after move to new Hinckley hub
- Hazchem and Palletways Network member Rase Distribution snapped up by HW Coates
“We want to grow but we want to do so sensibly,” said Symes, who has 60 ADR specialist hauliers in membership. Symes has welcomed Stiller Warehousing and Distribution, Rhys Davies and Nigel Rice Transport and Storage to the network this year.
“The new hub has taken the business to the next level,” he added.
Symes said the business is currently using a proportion of the 200,000sq ft site, which opened in January, with plenty of room to grow.
As ADR is a European, rather than EU agreement, signed under the auspices of the United Nations, Brexit will not affect the framework either.
“It could affect transport into Ireland of course and potentially the broader chemical market depending on the reaction in economy,” said Symes, clearly relaxed about the situation.
A bigger challenge, consistent with what the wider pallet sector faces, is finding enough good quality hauliers to join the network, especially as Hazchem has a smaller pool to fish from due to the ADR requirement.
Irrespective, “potential new members” have been identified and new faces will likely join the network soon, according to Symes.
