X2(UK) was originally created by a number of forward thinking Palletways members in response to the growing demand by customers for a genuinely flexible solution to satisfy their logistics requirements an opportunity highlighted by the advent and growth of the Pallet Networks themselves.

The X2 business model is an “asset light” control tower management service which provides a one stop shop for customers to manage their total distribution needs, utilising Palletways member's and other strategic trading partner resources.

This creates a platform for a single managed service, utilising extremely cost effective assets, from what is an available resource pool greater than some of the largest 3PL companies in the UK. This flexible resource can provide a complete solution to a client, be a support partner for peak activity or during start up operations, or manage repeat distribution activity nationally or to particular geographic regions for direct to customer delivery or National trunking operations NDC to RDC.

The business has developed rapidly over the last three years but it was recognised that the next stage in X2’s development and growth would be facilitated more effectively by attracting investment in resource and expertise from the wider logistics community. A restructuring of the shareholding at the end of 2007 allowed the recruitment of a new Managing Director with extensive experience in the UK Logistics market. This restructure also enabled Palletways to take a formal stake in the business whilst maintaining the direct involvement of two of the founding shareholders, Walkers Transport and Dalkeith Transport.

Walkers Transport

Walkers Transport was established in 1979, and has enjoyed year on year growth ever since. As part of the Palletways network, Walkers manages three of the largest postcode districts, making it market leaders in the express distribution of palletised goods. Its fleet can cope with consignments of all shapes and sizes and the Walkers Transport warehousing facility offers a large, clean and secure storage capacity, with full pallet racking for short or long term storage.

Operating from Leeds and Manchester, Walkers Transport enjoys the geographic advantages offered by these progressive cities, bordered by the UK’s major motorway routes.

For more information please visit www.walkers-transport.co.uk

Dalkeith Transport & Storage Co. Ltd.

Dalkeith Transport is a family firm, established 1948. It has five depots (Newtongrange by Edinburgh, Broxburn, Auchterarder, Cumbernauld and Dumfries) with over 70 vehicles and 100 trailers, delivering pallets of freight and general haulage freight throughout Scotland and the UK. These vehicles range from 7.5 tonne vans, through 18 tonne rigid body vehicles, right up to articulated vehicles with tractor/trailer units. They also have over 230,000 sq ft of internal and external warehousing and storage facilities available.

As part of Palletways, the UK market leader and the UK's largest next-day pallet delivery service, they can pick up and/or deliver anywhere within the UK and/or Ireland.

For more information please visit www.dalkeithtransport.co.uk

Palletways

Palletways is Europe’s largest and fastest growing provider of Express distribution services for small consignments of palletised goods.

Through its 250 depots and nine hub operations in the UK and mainland Europe, Palletways offers an unrivalled range of cost-efficient, reliable, flexible and high quality palletised freight services to provide a competitive edge for its customers, who include manufacturers and suppliers of goods, retailers and wholesalers, and other logistics providers.

For more information visit www.palletways.com

Ian Cramb

Ian Cramb as been involved in the Logistics and Distribution Business for around 20 years working for some of the most respected third party logistics service providers in the UK. His experience ranges from parcels to shared user and dedicated transport in ambient, chilled and frozen, through to providing sophisticated warehousing solutions for retailers and manufacturers alike.

As well as being a major shareholder, Ian is leading the development of the X2 business as Managing Director.