British B2C specialist Home Delivery Network Limited (HDNL) has launched two new services designedto market spare truck capacity “at competitive rates” and to increase sales with small- and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).The new ‘HDNL Transport’ service offers a UK-wide delivery and collection service, which willutilise ‘empty transport legs’ and offer temporary, overflow storage facilities at the company’scentral sort centre at Crick, Northampton.
HDNL Transport operates a significant transport fleet that covers all of the UK everyday. Using a centralised transport planning and management system HDNL is looking to utiliseits empty running by offering this capacity into the market at competitive rates. It is also hopedthat take up of this service will result in HDNL reducing overall freight movements within the UK.
The ‘empty leg’ facility will offer flexible transport solutions for businesses, on a ‘one-off’ or contract basis. HDNL’s existing tractor units and trailers will be available for singleloads up to 20 tonnes, with full or shared capacity for loose, palletised and caged goods.
Brian Gaunt, Chief Executive of HDNL, explained: “Home Delivery Network has historicallyprovided collection services from clients into strategically located hubs for sortation and onwarddistribution to a nationwide network of 58 depots. The cost of moving goods to marketcontinues to be high and it is important that we maximise the utilisation of our vehicles byoffering our empty capacity to the haulage market. By doing this at competitive rates we areproviding a way for HDNL to improve the overall efficiency of the UK supply chain whilst alsomaking a significant contribution to the environment.”
Meanwhile, HDNL has also introduced a new delivery service for SMEs. The company is currentlypiloting the SME-devoted service at eight of its depots, offering a cost-effective logisticssolution for businesses delivering lower volumes. Available to companies located within a 15 mileradius of the eight depots, the service has been specifically designed for retailers despatching2,000 – 50,000 parcels under 32 kg annually.
“We have opened our network to allow smaller retailers to take advantage of our deliveryexpertise and nationwide network of specialist staff,” Gaunt said. “The service will offerbespoke solutions for locally based SMEs looking for a cost-effective and convenient deliveryoption.”
The delivery service includes online parcel track and trace, proof of delivery and 24 or 48hour delivery services as standard. It is planned to extend the service nationwide later this year.
