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IndustryInsight

Palletline and the 'Hub and Spoke' Revolution

The introduction of the 'Hub and Spoke' pallet distribution model in the early 90s ushered in a new era for palletised freight delivery in the UK, and fundamentally changed the way we transport goods. The model's concept revolves around centralising operations at a central hub and connecting various spokes to facilitate efficient and streamlined movement of goods to and from different locations. As one of the pioneering pallet networks in the country, our network partners Palletline , were among the first to introduce and popularise the Hub and Spoke model for pallet delivery. At its core, a pallet network consists of groups of professional hauliers, just like Browns. Together, they offer cost-effective delivery services, catering to businesses seeking to distribute goods across the UK and further afar. Browns joined the Palletline network way back in 1995! The hub and spoke model is as simple as it is clever. Hauliers collect pallets within their local areas (usually defined by postcode areas) and return them to their depot. From there, pallets destined for delivery outside their local area are consolidated and transported to the network's central hub. At the hub, pallets are sorted and redistributed onto delivery vehicles bound for their respective destinations, which will now be transported by the haulier responsible for the intended delivery area. Upon reaching the haulier's depot, pallets are ready for final delivery, ensuring seamless logistics operations from start to finish. This means that no matter where you send a pallet from, or to, Browns can use Palletline’s vast member network will get your goods to their destination, quickly, safely, and on schedule. As the most reliable network in the country, more than six thousand vehicles handle roughly 3.5 million pallets every single year – all of them with a total damage rate of just 0.01%. And, on top of this, Palletline operates with a multi-hub model, meaning broader geographical coverage, shorter transit times and greater flexibility when it comes to fluctuating demand and tackling peak periods. What benefits does the Hub and Spoke model bring? The hub and spoke model is renowned for its efficiency, making it a preferred choice for many distribution networks, us included. But what specific perks does it bring? Cost-effectiveness: Centralised hubs enable economies of scale in transportation and distribution, resulting in lower overall logistics costs like equipment and IT. Improved Service: The model allows for streamlined operations, leading to faster transit times and more reliable delivery schedules. Network Flexibility: Hubs can accommodate changes in volume and demand more effectively than point-to-point systems, offering greater adaptability to evolving business needs. Reduced Carbon Footprint: Consolidating shipments not reduces the number of vehicles on the road, but the number of miles they travel. Perfect for carbon-cutting. Palletline’s multi-hub model reduces annual mileage by 4.5 million! How Palletline Works: A Hub and Spoke Model Ready to see the hub and spoke model work for your business? Let's talk!

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Insight

Stoke, Industry, and Browns: Stoke-on-Trent’s Rise to Rival the Golden Triangle

Stoke-on-Trent—a city renowned for its pottery prowess. It was in an unremarkable street in Tunstall where our story began, almost 70 years ago. Today, we’re cementing the next chapter of our Staffordshire story, with our sights firmly locked on logistics domination. If you’re from the Potteries, you’ll no doubt be well-versed in Staffordshire’s ceramic heritage, a history shaped—quite literally—by the hands of the working class. If you’re not from the region, you’ll probably still be aware of Stoke’s glorious past. Names like Wedgwood, Spode, and Minton will mean something to most of us. But is Stoke, steeped in its ceramics glory, heading towards a new age of industry notoriety? In the past decade, the number of premises dedicated to transport, logistics, and warehousing has almost doubled in the UK, according to the Office of National Statistics’ 2022 report. This dynamic growth in our industry has been driven by Brexit, changing trends in consumer behaviour (particularly the rise in online shopping), and the COVID-19 pandemic. Online shopping was a growing behaviour even before the pandemic. But the pandemic was a catalyst for rapid growth in this trend, and many shoppers have simply never looked back. The accessibility and convenience of online shopping are appealing, and supply chains had to adapt quickly and cleverly to cope. The transport and logistics sector has long been dominated—geographically—by the ‘Golden Logistics Triangle’. Its reach and connectivity make it an attractive place for warehousing and distribution companies to make base. Some consider the Golden Triangle the result of deindustrialisation of the Midlands away from mining and heavy industry, with logistics filling a large recruitment gap. This would make sense for Stoke too, as pottery production declined, and the need for new local employment rose. ‘The ‘Golden Logistics Triangle’—a term coined in the late 80s—is a 289 square mile section of the Midlands renowned for its high density of distribution facilities and being within a four-hour drive of 90% of the UK population.’ In 2011, Stoke placed 101st in the rankings for the percentage of business units used for transport and storage. In 2022, it ranked 19th. A handy geographic location, reliable transport networks, and the hard-working fabric of our people are clearly an attractive pull for many businesses looking for a transport and storage provider. An 82-place leap in a 10-year period shows clear confidence in the area and places the city in a competing position with the Golden Triangle. Stoke’s rise in the logistics sector doesn't just signify growth in numbers but reflects a city that is familiar with bridging tradition and innovation. Known historically for our pottery, our city has diversified and embraced the needs of a changing business landscape. Much like Stoke, the logistics industry itself has a fierce and innate pride for tradition and days gone by, but an equal instinct for innovation and progression. A perfect match, no?

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Insight

5 Signs it's time to Switch Distribution Partner

We've all been there, and we totally get it. Whether it’s a familiar service or our favourite product, breaking up from a current partner can be hard (and really time/cost-consuming). Sometimes, it’s best to move on. A new partner (certainly where your supply chain is concerned) can open up brand-new opportunities, efficiencies and success. Laura Dono is in the hot seat today, to give us 5 telltale signs it’s time to switch your distribution partner! Without further ado, let’s get into it! Consistently Poor Performance Is your current distribution partner consistently failing to meet expectations? Continuous errors, delays and quality control issues can negatively impact your business's reputation and customer satisfaction. If you’ve received more customer complaints than usual, or you have noticed more damage reports, it could be a sign of poor handling or quality control by your distribution partner. Ensuring that your products are handled with care throughout the distribution process is essential for maintaining customer satisfaction and protecting your brand. Inadequate Tech and Infrastructure Efficient distribution often relies on robust technology systems and infrastructure. If your current partner lacks the necessary tools, software, or warehouse capabilities to handle your volume, track inventory accurately, or provide real-time visibility into the supply chain, it can impact your business's growth and efficiency. You may be growing at a faster rate than your partner can handle, so it’s always a good idea to review your supply chain arrangements when developing new products or strategies. Problem Pricing Distribution costs and pricing structures are vital to your business's profitability. If your current partner's costs are often increasing without reasonable justification, or if they are unable to provide cost-effective solutions or economies of scale, it might be time to explore alternative distribution partners that offer better value for your investment. Poor Communication A partner that values open communication, provides proactive updates and demonstrates a willingness to address concerns can greatly enhance your business's efficiency and supply chain success. If your distribution partner is not meeting your standards, it may be time to explore new opportunities. Limited Geographic Reach If your business has expanded into new markets or has a growing customer base in regions that your current distribution partner cannot effectively reach or serve, it may be time to consider a partner with a broader geographic reach. Having a distribution partner with a strong network and an established presence in your target markets can help you reach customers more efficiently and reduce shipping costs. And there you have it. Are you having any of these issues? Please get in touch for a quick introduction, and to explore our services in more detail!

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Insight

Finding the Perfect Warehousing Partner

Finding the perfect warehousing partner can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be! We caught up with Luke, our Warehouse Manager to bring you all the need-to-knows when choosing the perfect warehouse to store your goods. In this guide, Luke will give you a fleeting walk through the process of securing the perfect warehousing partnership… from identifying a suitable partner and asking the right questions, to managing your costs and looking to the future. So without further ado, Luke, it’s over to you! To kick things off, what is warehousing, and who needs it? Warehousing is the process of storing goods for sale or distribution. Warehouses are used by many different types of companies that create, handle, or move goods, for storage or eventual shipping to an end consumer. For example, e-commerce companies can store goods in a warehouse, where their goods will be collected, stored, picked, packed and then shipped to their customers in a full end-to-end solution. Warehousing isn’t just limited to e-commerce businesses, though. Many retailers (both B2B and B2C) don’t have the physical space to store large volumes of freight, so use warehouses to hold inventory until they need to re-stock. (This is where a great warehouse location can be really useful!) Is Warehousing a big deal for my business? Warehousing is an essential part of the supply chain, and to put it simply, the right partner can help you to: Improve your supply chain efficiency (getting goods through your supply chain and into your customers’ hands more quickly, and more safely). Reduce your storage costs and overheads (paying for space per pallet can be a lot cheaper than renting or buying your own facility, and then employing staff to manage this). Manage inventory and stock more effectively. Increase customer satisfaction. Gain a competitive advantage. But before we can achieve the above, it’s important to understand: Your needs: What are your specific warehousing requirements? Do you need a temperature-controlled facility? Do you have hazardous goods? Your budget: How much are you willing to spend on warehousing? Your location: Where do you need your goods stored? Where are your customers based? Your service levels: What level of service do you require? Do you need 24/7 access to your goods? In what frequency do you tend to move your goods in and out? What does an ideal warehousing partner look like? The warehousing and storage market is crowded, to say the least. There are lots of companies that offer storage space out there, but volume doesn’t always mean quality. The ideal warehouse for your company will largely depend on the type of goods you’re looking to store, but other factors may influence your decision such as: the frequency you’ll be moving goods in and out of the space, extra services required (like e-commerce fulfilment), and where your business is located. If you need to store temperature-controlled goods, then you’ll need to make sure your warehousing space caters for this. If you’ve got abnormal freight sizes, then you’ll also need to make sure your warehouse has space to accommodate. A little bit of research can go a long way in ensuring that your products are stored safely and securely! Below you’ll find some helpful questions you can use as a rough checklist when making your decision: Has the warehouse got undercover unloading facilities? Is the warehouse clean and secure? Does the facility have dock levellers? Is the lighting suitable and is there likely to be any picking errors? How many pallets can be picked on a daily basis and can they manage your freight? What IT systems are used? Is the site secure with CCTV? What are the sizes of the racked locations and will your pallet fit into them? What stock rotation principles are in place? What is a typical RH&D Charge? (Receipt, Handling & Despatch) What is the charge to empty (Tip, Destuff or de-van) a container? What questions should you ask your warehousing partner? It’s always a good idea to ask your warehousing partner questions. You want to make sure the service is completely transparent, and you don’t get hit with unfulfilled promises or hidden costs. You may even want to request a tour of the facility before you agree on paper. We’re super proud of our brand-new, £9 million facility! If you’d like to visit us for a tour, a chat and a coffee, we’d love to show you around. Get in touch! It’s important that you view their IT systems and processes too. Some companies (like us!) offer real-time stock control. And while it’s rare to find paper-based systems, it’s not impossible. Similar to ensuring their warehouse is a perfect fit, your partner may want to know the following information to ensure your freight is suitable for their operation. The number of SKUs or batches to be picked from. Stock turnaround levels. Are the containers loose-loaded or palletised? Stock holding levels/maximum stock held within a week. Freight height. What are typical pallet storage and warehousing costs? The costs to store a pallet are generally really simple to understand. Typically, for palletised freight, you will be charged per pallet space, per week. You can usually expect to pay more per pallet, the lower the volume of freight you're looking to store. Companies will have their own pricing structures, that should be simple and easy to follow. If the pricing structure is complicated then their supply chain process may be too! And be careful if you’re looking for more southern-based storage, as you can expect to pay a premium rate for warehouses in the South of England, especially those in and around London. Click here if you'd like to learn more about our warehousing and storage services, or send us a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

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