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PALL-EX LOOKS FOR SERVICE-LED OPPORTUNITIES
Page 10
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For Hilary Devey, Pall-Ex chef executive, a pallet network has become more than a way of helping hauliers make money from small consignments. She believes Pall-Ex, which grew from nothing to a multi-million pound enterpnse in 13 years, can offer a range of business services to its members, providing particular help during the recession.
The firm already includes IT services as part of the membership deal, but Devey says it can also give good financial advice to hauliers struggling with the problems of falling volumes and reduced access to bank credit.
We have an excellent relationship with our members, we do train them," Devey says. "If they perceive that they are going to have cashf low problems, then we insist they do budgets, management accounts and yearly forecasts. Late last year we had some members coming to us saying, 'In March [this year] I might be in trouble'. We acted quickly, and went into their business planning. We've had quite a good turnaround with these firms and not had any casualties."
Devey adds that Pall-Ex has 'gone a long way" in trying to educate some of its members on the more commercial aspects of business.