Efficient logistics, robust road haulage and reliable pallet distribution are all pivotal components of modern-day supply chains. As per the latest statistics from the UK Department for Transport, a staggering 175 billion tonnes of goods traversed UK roadways in 2022, with UK registered Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) covering 19.5 billion kilometres in distance. This distance equates to a journey to the sun and back an astounding 65 times.
Navigating such an intense and dynamic industry can often cause stress, and you may be thinking, how will I get my pallet delivered? What is the best way to get my goods to customers? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ll cover a few pallet distribution options you have via the road.
Dedicated Delivery
Opting for dedicated delivery means your goods will travel exclusively with us. We will handle the collection, direct transport to the destination, and then manage the delivery. As you are our sole client, we can provide a more personalised experience tailored to your unique pallet distribution requirements.
Dedicated delivery is often synonymous with express delivery, as it helps to ensure quicker lead times due to direct transportation and reduced handling. Reduced handling also helps to lower the risk of goods and pallets sustaining damage from forklifts.
Tracking your goods is also made simple with Dedicated Deliveries. Our dedicated Customer Service Team can inform you about the vehicle’s exact location and provide accurate information on expected delivery times.
So, what are the drawbacks? As you are the exclusive customer, you are paying for the vehicle’s entire space, meaning no other goods will be transported alongside yours. Due to this, dedicated delivery can be expensive when transporting a small number of pallets, although the cost per pallet decreases as the trailer’s utilisation increases. If you can utilise the trailer to capacity, dedicated delivery can also be one of the most cost-effective options available to you.
Multi-Drop Delivery
Multi-Drop, as the name implies, involves multiple deliveries in one trip. Your goods will share a vehicle with other goods and pallets, following a predetermined route for maximum efficiency. Multi-drop can be a cost-effective solution as trailer space is shared among multiple customers; by grouping pallets with similar destinations, we can spread the associated delivery costs.
However, as you are grouped with other customers, flexibility in pickup and delivery can be reduced. Unforeseen delays when delivering other customers’ pallets may affect your delivery schedule. Multi-drop deliveries are still trackable, although information can rapidly change due to the increased number of variables associated with multiple customers.
Pallet Network
Pallet Networks divide the country into postcode areas, each of which is managed by a partner company. Local partners collect pallets within their designated area and then transport them to a centralised hub. Pallets will be grouped by destination postcode and then loaded into the relevant partner’s trailer. This partner will then deliver the pallet on behalf of the network and the original partner.
Whilst the most cost-effective solution for transporting singular pallets, Pallet Networks sacrifice speed and the ability for real-time tracking due to the involvement of multiple carriers. The increased handling and transfer of goods may also increase the risk of damage during transit.
Conclusion
Choosing the correct delivery method depends on your specific needs, timeframe, and budget. Dedicated deliveries are swift, often completing deliveries on the same day. However, for smaller quantities, a Pallet Network may be more cost-effective, with multi-drop falling in between in terms of speed, flexibility, and cost.
