Devon haulier Torridge Transport is extending its services to handle pallet deliveries in 2011 when it joins United Pallet Network (UPN).
The South Molton-based business will begin covering parts of Exeter and Taunton for the network from February next year. It is the firm's first time in a pallet network.
Brian Cobbledick, MD at Torridge Transport, says: "We have been thinking about joining a network for a while, and from 2011, our transport and storage customers can have a far greater choice when it comes to pallet deliveries. We also expect to win new clients."
He says UPN's switch of its hub to Fradley Park from Melton Mowbray in August helped him decide to join, because the new hub is closer and more convenient for Torridge's Torrington and South Molton sites.
The business expects to take delivery of some new trucks to join the 35-strong fleet and recruit employees to cope with a rise in volumes.
Andrew Spencer, sales director at UPN, adds: "Torridge Transport is a sizeable and reputable company, and we look forward to our new working relationship."
January-November volumes were 14% higher than the same period in 2009, and up 7% on the same period in 2008, according to the Association of Pallet Networks (APN).
Throughput in September alone was the highest recorded since APN began collating data in January 2007, according to the network's chairman Paul Sanders.
He says: "This big spike in volumes seems to be carrying on in the run-up to Christmas, which is highly encouraging. This growth demonstrates how the pallet networks are ideally placed to provide an efficient, time-critical, delivery solution as the economy recovers."
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