UPN, a leading pallet network operator has announced the opening of four new UK depots, together with the appointment of Glenn Boldy as Network Services Director, following increased market demand after the launch of its real-time IT system.
Since UPN was launched six years ago, it has focussed hard on delivering quality, confident in the knowledge that this would ensure it could build a quality network and help it to attract the highest quality staff.
Martyn Chapman, Chairman at UPN, explains:
"Over recent years, as the market has become more competitive, we have seen how many players have pushed quality to one side in favour of growth. Our approach has been different. I believe that our focus on service and technology to continually improve quality to customers and drive improved efficiency at depot level, we would secure sustainable growth, whatever market conditions. I am delighted to report that this strategy has proven to be a good one over the long term. Our investment in implementing a real-time signature capture system has been well received in the market and is helping us to attract many new hauliers to UPN. We have added nearly 100 years of experience to our central management team over the last twelve months and Glenn has been working with us as a consultant for the last few months. His levels of experience in the logistics market are second to none and we are delighted he has decided to join the board."
Glenn's role will involve him working closely with all UPN depots in UK, to ensure that they continually improve service levels and efficiency. He has been working closely with UPN over recent months to help it roll out its new real-time XDA based signature capture system. This allows customers to be able to view an electronic signature on the central UPN website within seconds of delivery, wherever the pallet is being sent in the UK.
The solution was developed in-house by UPN, working with development tools from Microsoft, utilising the latest .NET framework and standard XDAs.
Glenn explains his decision to join UPN:
"I have worked in the logistics sector for many years and have been involved in setting up, developing and selling haulage companies in the past. The palletised freight sector has seen high levels of growth over the last decade. My role is to ensure that UPN and its depots continue to exploit new ways of delivering services that will enable UPN to continue to stand apart from the crowd. I have spent the last few months helping the business implement a new real time signature capture system. The business is looking to open around 20 more depots over the next two years as freight throughput increases. There are some great new services coming along the pipeline and UPN has a fantastic story to tell. I am delighted to join the board."
At the same time, UPN has also announced the opening of four new UK depots, as follows:
Brian Gibbons Transport (BGT) has joined UPN from another pallet network. Brian Gibbons, Managing Director at BGT explains, "We established our business in 1988 and have grown successfully on the back of good service, now operating 40 vehicles and nearly 100,000 sq foot of warehousing. We have worked with other pallet networks in the past, but have been amazed at the quality of the UPN network. Its leading edge IT solutions allow us to deliver much better service and I am confident that we have picked the right partner."
Pallet Route Solutions has joined the UPN network, providing service to clients in the Lincoln area, having worked with another pallet network in the past.
T & R Phillips has joined the UPN network to provide pallet collection and delivery services to companies in the SA, CF and NP postcode areas, managed by its two offices in Swansea and Cardiff. Ian Phillips, General Manager, explains. "We have worked with palletised networks in the past and are totally familiar with the concept. Following a review of our business, we decided to look again at the market and assess our situation. We felt that UPN stood out against the rest because of its focus on quality and the way that it uses IT to help make life easier for us and our customers." T&R Phillips was established in 1938 and provides complete transport and warehousing solutions across both sites. The business also offers a complete range of commercial vehicle repair services from Swansea.
CJ Edwards has joined the UPN network to provide service to clients in the London area, south of the M4.
About UPN
UPN was established in 2001 by Martyn Chapman as a provider of high quality next-day delivery services for smaller consignments of palletised freight. The company now operates a national network of over 60 UK depots, all focussed on delivering the highest quality service available. UPN operates a purpose built hub in Leicestershire and has access to over 5,000 vehicles and two million square feet of flexible warehousing across its UK network, together with a range of European logistics services. It is recognised as a technology leader because of its development of real-time and web based IT solutions. Further information is available at www.u-p-n.co.uk.