MD Hilary Devey looks back on Ten Years of Excellence. Pall-Ex, the UK's No. 1 Pallet Network, celebrated its tenth anniversary this week at a glittering event attended by well over 400 network members, customers and staff. The dinner dance, held at the Celtic Manor Resort, near Cardiff, also marked the major milestones of achievement along the way and paid tribute to long-standing members of the network.
The event celebrated ten years of remarkable sector-leading growth achieved by Pall-Ex since it was first established in 1996 by MD Hilary Devey. Since then, Pall-Ex has consistently set the pace for innovation and quality of service. Founder members were applauded and awards were presented for Depot of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to the Pall-Ex Network, and Special Achievement.
Hilary Devey said: "This has been a very special night and I am proud to be able to celebrate with so many old friends and new. In the beginning there were no obstacles – the idea was new and we saw purely the opportunities. Above all we had an overriding belief in our vision. As we continue in the next years to pursue new initiatives and involve ourselves in new markets, I believe we will continue to embrace the spirit which pervaded the business during its infancy."
Hilary and her management team can look back on many significant milestones in the last ten years, from the opening night, operating from an old aircraft hangar, then the first move to a larger site after less than two years. In 2003 the company celebrated the most significant landmark in its history with the move to its new 18.5 acre facility in Ellistown, Leicestershire.
Pall-Ex began with a modest throughput of just 117 pallets on its first night. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength, with a consistent double-digit growth in turnover year on year. Pall-Ex is on track to handle its 12 millionth pallet before the end of this year.
Hilary said: "It seems like only yesterday when we started in a draughty aircraft hangar. Now the company has its own purpose-built hub, unique in the pallet network sector, and a continually growing throughput of pallets. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved and thank everyone for their part in it."
During this year, Pall-Ex and its staff have been working hard to raise much-needed funds towards the work of Transaid - including their innovative "Penny-a-Pallet" donation scheme.
A cheque for £14,680 was presented to Transaid Chief Executive Chris Saunders. The anniversary event also raised money through various activities on the night, which are expected add several thousand pounds to the above figure.
Chris Saunders responded, "Pall-Ex is a long-term supporter of Transaid and their continuous efforts have made a big difference to what we have been able to achieve. I congratulate Pall-Ex on achieving ten remarkable years and wish Hilary and her team all the best for the future.
Award winners were:
The Outstanding Contribution to the Network Award
Cartwright Brothers
Shears Brothers
Gibbs Transport
Depot of the Year
1st Leach Distribution
joint 2nd Cranleigh Freight
joint 2nd ADD Express
3rd Cartwright Brothers
The Special Achievement Award went to Paul Shaw of Leach Distribution