25 Jun Essex-based company appoints senior and experienced business development manager
A Colchester-based national next day palletised final delivery specialist has shown its intention to maintain its fast expansion by appointing a senior and experienced new business development manager.
Pallet Plus, whose home is in Great Bromley, has recruited Stuart Birchley, who has more than 25 years’ industry experience, from logistics supplier New Horizon Distributions – originally headquartered in Edmonton, north London, before it moved to Purfleet – where he was commercial director.
National logistics service provider Expect Distribution, based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, acquired Pallet Plus in 2023 and the companies have a combined yearly turnover of £66.7m. Pallet Plus now operates using its own fleet, Expect vehicles and specialist pallet networks – independent companies working together to distribute freight efficiently and cost-effectively – such as TPN, Palletways and UPN.
Explaining what attracted him to Pallet Plus, Mr Birchley said: “The company’s ethos and ethics match those at several of my previous employers, while its service offering is also diverse and ever-growing. The firm is already very strong in the south-east and, having Expect Distribution behind it, I can only see the brand and business getting stronger.”
Mr Birchley’s career in transport and logistics began in 1997, as a part-time warehouse operative with Dutch-based global courier delivery company TNT Express, in Maidstone, Kent. He stayed there for five years, being promoted into client management and development roles.
He went on to hold senior posts at companies such as haulage and transport business Alan Firmin, based in Sittingbourne, Kent. Mr Birchley additionally worked for Essex-headquartered companies WE Deane, a freight forwarder based in Barking, plus logistics and global trade management provider Uniserve, whose home is in Upminster.
His CV also includes time spent in management positions at various smaller, independent transport and logistics businesses.
Mr Birchley’s career achievements include becoming TNT Express’s youngest-ever Sameday Sales Manager of the Year and being a senior operator when its Maidstone site became an award-winning company depot.
He was also a key figure in setting up Alan Firmin’s express courier division, which he grew to boast a turnover of about £1m in its first year.
Outlining his goals for the first few months in his new role, Mr Birchley said: “To maintain our existing client base, by ensuring that customer wants and needs are matched, and win business that will strengthen Pallet Plus. I do understand, however, the importance of attracting the right kind of business, so it’s vital that I target companies that will strengthen and grow with us.”
He added that his post was not just about sales but development too, so getting to know clients, both existing and prospective, was vastly important.
Mr Birchley said: “I’m a true believer in getting out there on the industrial estates, knocking on doors, and talking to business owners or decision makers about their companies. I also plan to hold regular face-to-face service review meetings with clients, where we can openly discuss performance, any areas of concern and opportunities for growth.”
He said he aimed to help clients understand that Pallet Plus could be not just their haulier but the transport and logistics arm of their businesses. Allowing it to adopt this role would allow them more time to grow and develop their companies, without having concerns about how their products would reach their customers.
Welcoming Mr Birchley to Pallet Plus, depot principal Andrew Triolo said: “Stuart is a great asset and we are pleased to have him on board. His network is immense and his operational background will support exactly what we are looking for as a business.”
Expect said that when it acquired Pallet Plus, its board committed to investing wisely in the business, via elements such as new fleet and technology. This had happened and was paying dividends, with Mr Birchley’s arrival being the latest example of this backing.
Bob Duffy, Expect commercial director, to whom Mr Birchley reports, said: “We are delighted to have Stuart join us at Pallet Plus and the Expect Group, as he is a great addition to the team. Stuart adds a wealth of experience across operations, development and client management. It is a coup to find an all-round well versed, operationally mature and commercially minded manager that can hit the ground running and slot into the wider team.
“Our plans are to strengthen the Pallet Plus business organically, through retaining clients and attracting new ones that are looking to enhance their existing service. Using the latest IT development in transport management systems, our clients have greater visibility of their orders, via track and trace and instant proofs of delivery, backed with 98 per cent-plus delivery performance.
“Stuart is a family man, with strong values that are aligned with our culture, and we look forward to growing the business together and looking after our important customers in Essex.”
