Pallet volumes grew by 1.5% in the first half of 2024 and by 3.5% in Q2, compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Association of Pallet Networks (APN).

Next-day services accounted for 61.5% of the total volume, whilst economy services made up 39% of the total volume, reflecting a slight increase in the use of economy services in 2023.

In the first half of 2024 all pallet sizes saw growth compared to volumes for the same period in 2023, with full pallets increasing by 1%, half pallets by 0.9% and quarter pallets by 3.7%, APN reported.

In addition, 48.9% of all volume was made up of full pallets, 28.9% were half pallets, and 22.2% quarter pallets.

Home deliveries comprised 15.9% of all pallets, a 0.4% reduction from volumes seen in the same period in 2023.

More than half of all B2C pallets were delivered on a next-day service, while 58.2% of B2C quarter pallets were delivered on a next-day service.

The number of consignments grew by almost 2% across the six-month period and 3.3% in Q2, compared to the same period in 2023.

APN chairman Paul Sanders (pictured), said: “These figures show excellent prospects for the pallet network sector, with steady growth but no unmanageable spikes in volumes.

“The Q2 statistics are particularly encouraging, with a 3.5% increase in pallet volumes compared to last year despite an early Easter, which fell within Q1, as opposed to Easter 2023 which was in April.”

APN also reported significant gains in both safety and sustainability, against a background of increased operational activity.

Safety incidents at UK hubs have fallen by 16.7% so far this year, against the same period last year, continuing a six year-trend in safety improvements. Incidents for the six-month period stand at 0.43 per 100,000 pallets delivered.

The Association of Pallet Networks (APN) is made up of eight pallet network members, representing 800 hauliers, more than 24,000 vehicles and over 13 million sq ft of warehouse space collectively.

The eight members are Fortec; PallEx; Pallet-Track; Palletforce; Palletline; Palletways; The Pallet Network; and United Pallet Network.

 

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