Palletline Member Scoops Top Industry Award

Halifax-based Expect Distribution, a leading member of Palletline plc, the UK's most experienced palletised freight distribution network, has scooped the road haulage industry's most prestigious prize – the 2007 Motor Transport Awards Haulier of the Year award.

The award recognises the outstanding haulier or distribution company of the year - companies have to show not only strong financial results, but a strong all-round commitment to professionalism and customer care, and active measures taken to improve service levels.

The ceremony for the awards, which since 1988 have recognised excellence in the field of logistics and distribution, was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London.

A key factor in Expect's success was the impact of a major £200,000-plus rebranding exercise in the first quarter of 2006 which saw the company change its name from Pennine Parcels to Expect Distribution to better reflect the nature of its business.

Robert Rushworth, Managing Director of Expect Distribution, commented: "The award is a great tribute to our team who are fully committed to providing our customers with exactly the service they require.

"It's also a recognition of the service quality of the Palletline network and its members – Palletline freight makes up around two thirds of our work and of course all of the other members are delivering freight that we input.

"The name change drove a year of major transformation for us - since rebranding as Expect Distribution, we have won more than 200 new accounts, many as a direct result of the rebranding which positions us as a supplier of complete distribution solutions rather than a parcels carrier."

Based in Listers Road, Halifax, Expect Distribution (www.expectdistribution.com) employs 125 people and owns and operates 52 vehicles. Established in 1988 as a parcel delivery service, the company's work with palletised consignments grew so rapidly that this has now been its core business for a number of years. It is the largest inputter into Palletline, for whom it covers the LS, WF, HX, BD, HG, HD and OL postcode areas, inputting more than 2,500 pallets each week. Indeed, since becoming a founder member of Palletline in 1992, its annual turnover has rocketed from £350,000 to around £10 million, with growth of 16% in the first half of the company's current financial year.

According to Palletline's Acting Managing Director Kevin Buchanan, the success of Expect in winning this award is a clear demonstration of the stature of the Palletline network.

"Any network is only as good as its membership and the fact that our largest inputter has been independently recognised as the top haulier in the UK shows the quality of the companies who make up Palletline. We congratulate them heartily on their achievement."