Palletline Plc Timeline - A History of 'Firsts'

Throughout its history, Palletline has exploited technological and operational innovations to continuously improve the quality and reliability of the service.

1992
Palletline was established as the world's first 'hub and spoke' distribution system dedicated to palletised freight - the first serious innovation in distribution for many years.

1995
Palletline successfully pioneered the implementation of advanced technology as a facilitator for improved efficiency and service levels with the development of the industry's first web-based information system.

1998
A £10m investment in new premises in Birmingham, enabled a total revision of operational procedures, expanding capacity and enhancing efficiency, safety and quality.

1999
Palletline specified purpose-designed double deck trailers for overnight trunking operations, increasing carrying capacity by 46% utilising the same number of vehicles.

2000
The inherent efficiencies and strengths of the Palletline System were formally recognised in a White Paper published by the DTR entitled 'Sustainable Distribution: A Strategy'.

2001

Palletline introduced regional hubs for more localised transhipment of palletised freight, reducing mileages and further increasing efficiency.

2003
Palletline innovated by introducing bar-coded scanning of all palletised freight in preparation for future technological developments.

2006
Palletline was the first pallet network to introduce an end customer online service with the launch of its 'Palletline Online' pilot.

2007
Palletline achieved accreditation to BS EN ISO:9001 quality standards, underlining our ongoing commitment to service excellence.

Palletline was also the first pallet network to achieve accreditation to OHSAS 18001:2007 standard.

2008
Palletline invested £20m in a new Central Hub operation, driving forward innovation, quality and operational efficiency. This was the first drive-through, side-load pallet distribution hub which achieved total depedestrianisation and delivered unparalleled levels of safety.

Palletline introduced the City 24 consolidation service, aiming to dramatically reduce the number of vehicles entering city centres.

2009
Palletline was the first pallet network to successfully implement legally compliant digital signature capture software across the system, also the first to be paperless at the point of delivery.

Palletline introduced the very first hand held bar code scanner with colour camera capability, enabling automated disrcepancy functions and image recording of every pallet passing through the system.

Palletline PFX freight exchange system launched to enable members to communicate and share resource on larger load requirements.

Palletline becomes the first Pallet Network to achieve the hat trick of quality, safety and environmental accreditations and is awarded ISO 14001 alongside existing accreditations ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001.

2010
Palletline Automated Service Failure System launches. An industry leading system which uses all the data generated throughout a pallet life cycle to monitor consignment progress versus expected timestamps and raise alerts in the event of any potential or actual failures.

Palletline celebrates winning one of RoSPA's prestigious Occupational Health & Safety Awards together with being selected as finalists in a whole host of industry and customer awards. .

Palletline also launches its Virtual Bay module providing members with complete and real time visibility of freight at the Hubs awaiting collection, enabling them to improve their trunking efficiency.

2011

Palletline launches its new European service, linking every corner of the Eurozone, enabling our network to provide a quality and reliable service to 30 countries.

Palletline breaks its own volume record four times for the most pallets moved in a 14 day window.

Palletline again selected as a finalist for a prestigious National Business Award, this time we're shortlisted for the Blackberry Business Enabler of the Year Award 2011.

Network growth continues with the appointment of new member companies as well as key staff at our Hubs to ensure that we continue to enhance network performance.

We apologise for the long list however it has been a busy two decades here at Palletline. We're set to continue innovating and constantly driving forward so there will always be more to add!!