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16 April 2024Industry Insight

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!

02 February 2024Insight

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?