The event was held inside TST Group’s Ballymena warehouse
The future of logistics in post-Brexit Ireland took centre stage this week as Pallet-Track joined forces with its Northern Irish partner TST Group and Women in Logistics UK to discuss the ongoing challenges of cross-border trade and the Windsor Framework.
Held inside TST Group’s Ballymena warehouse — transformed from a busy distribution hub into a conference space — the event brought together industry leaders from across the UK and Ireland to share insights on the realities of operating in one of Europe’s most complex logistics environments.
The discussion, chaired by Maire Claire Reid, managing director at TST Group, and Ruth Waring FCILT, co-founder of Women in Logistics UK CIC, explored how businesses are adapting to regulatory and operational changes since Brexit.
Debbie Patterson, Group Customs Manager at TST Group, outlined the evolving “new border reality” and explained how companies can make sense of the Windsor Framework, which has been implemented in stages over the past two years.
The framework, which sets new trading arrangements between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, continues to pose challenges for logistics firms balancing regulatory compliance with service efficiency.
A panel chaired by Maire Claire Reid featured Kelly Donnelly (TST Group compliance manager), Michelle Scott (UK transport manager), Pamela Dennison of Fibrus, and Charlene McGonagle of Henderson. Together, they discussed growth opportunities in areas such as fleet innovation, technology, compliance and transport operations, as well as the policy and infrastructure reforms needed to strengthen the sector.
Reid said transforming the Ballymena warehouse into a forum for industry dialogue showed how far the sector had come in recognising women’s leadership.
“Standing in our Ballymena warehouse — a place usually filled with trailers and pallets — and seeing it transformed into a space for connection, learning and shared ambition was something special,” she said. “Events such as this remind us women aren’t just participating in logistics; we’re shaping its future.”
She added that determination and curiosity “connect women across the industry” and help drive change: “Together, we’re changing the conversation and creating the kind of visibility and opportunity we once could only imagine.”
Freya Sangha, of Pallet-Track, praised TST Group’s expertise in cross-border operations and said that despite the continuing difficulties posed by the Windsor Framework, the firm had maintained “service excellence”.
She added: “We are also proud to sponsor Women in Logistics; with 56% of our senior leadership team being female, we are committed to enabling more women to access industry events, mentoring and professional development opportunities.”
Ruth Waring, co-founder of Women in Logistics, said the event had provided valuable insight into the issues members face “on a day-to-day basis”.
“The event addressed many of the challenges our members are facing and shared beneficial advice for future growth,” she said. “As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on the support of the industry. Pallet-Track’s sponsorship of Women in Logistics will provide numerous benefits for our network, including new opportunities to host valuable events for knowledge sharing and networking across the UK.”
The collaboration marks a continuing effort by logistics operators and trade groups to ensure that cross-border trade remains efficient, transparent and inclusive, even as regulatory frameworks evolve.
TST Group operates more than 200 vehicles, manages 500 trailers, and maintains 1.5 million square feet of warehousing across its UK and global operations.