United Pallet Network has announced plans to give shares to its members. Chairman Martyn Chapman will release 25% of the company to up to 80 qual-ifying network members. National sales director Simon Hazelgrove tells Motor Transport the company is finalising the initiative ready for a roll-out in the next three months. Current members have been informed and are "very enthusiastic," he says. The initiative is part of UPN's "get out and push it year," says Hazelgrove. Targets for 2007 include increasing membership to 80 companies and raising pallet volumes to 3,500 a night. UPN is also considering the possibility of relocation "to somewhere more central", as part of a three-year strategy, Hazelgrove says.
Half of the network's 65 members are now using UPN's new real time live website, Crystal, with a full rollout of the system and its accompanying signature capture software due next month. Crystal provides real time visibility of consignments with details of any special requirements. The point of delivery capture software allows signatures to be transferred from an XDA to the website in seconds. Times are documented on both XDAs and the website as back-up for delivery confirmation. "It stands out against competitors and offers operational benefits," says Hazelgrove. UPN has been using the website since September and says it has paid dividends. "It means we're prepared for the night's activity," says Dave Brown, operations director.
Hazelgrove reports that the Christmas period at UPN was busier than expected, with an average of 1,450 pallets moved a night. "It held out quite well," he says, adding that in the first week of 2007 UPN was back up to 85% of its usual input.
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