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The Pallet Network (TPN) is encouraging members to bring freight in during the day in response to growing volumes. The Rugby, Warwickshire-based network is reaching an average volume of around 7,000 pallets per night, having achieved its record week in early September. TPN managing director Adam Leonard says from this month members have been offered a "financial incentive" - a reduced rate - to bring their freight to the hub between 9am and 5pm.

Members are not being forced to input freight  in the day, Leonard says, but he adds: "We need to bring vehicle movements from the night shift to the day shift as volume grows - it's not rocket science." Leonard says that TPN has seen a 55% growth rate over the past two years - currently running at 24% for the past year. He confirms that TPN is looking for a new hub - ideally double the size of the current 200,000ft2 premises, but Rugby is a good location.

He reveals that he can envisage consolidation between pallet networks and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) in the future, particularly now the pallet network model is much more accepted in the industry. "I could see 3PLs certainly owning networks - but they would have to bolt it on as part of their offerings," he says. Leonard confirms that trials to cut down hauliers' waiting times at regional distribution centres (RDCs), where delivery times into RDCs are made only between 9am and 2pm, will be reviewed at the next members' representative committee meeting.

"We're not taking the RDCs on - our members are asking for help," he states.