Palletline, the UK’s leading palletised freight distribution network, proudly awarded Member of the Year to Hacklings Storage & Distribution at its prestigious Beyond Members’ Evening and Awards, held at the iconic Celtic Manor Resort.
Hacklings Storage & Distribution, a family-owned business with over 60 years of transport and warehousing expertise, was not only recognised for their exceptional service, innovation, and long-standing commitment to quality—but also celebrated as one of Palletline’s founder members, playing a pivotal role in shaping the network since its inception. The award, sponsored by Live Data Vision and voted for by fellow members, is the highest accolade of the night and reflects Hacklings’ consistent dedication to operational excellence and partnership across the Palletline community.
Over 400 guests gathered for the glittering evening of celebration, hosted by BAFTA-nominated comedian and broadcaster Patrick Kielty. The event was marked by a memorable moment as Patrick Kielty led the audience in a spirited rendition of Sweet Caroline—reimagined as Sweet Palletline—capturing the camaraderie that defines the network.
In addition to Hacklings’ headline win, the event honoured achievements across eight other categories:
H&R Gray Haulage took home the Health & Safety Award, sponsored by Positive Weighing Solutions, which recognises the Palletline member demonstrating the highest standards of health and safety across their business. The company impressed judges with its comprehensive training, robust ISO 9001 and 45001 standards, and an exemplary safety record, including a 100% score in their most recent audit. Their proactive approach has set the benchmark for safety culture across the network.
The Environment and Sustainability Award, sponsored by Auditel, went to Welch’s Transport. This accolade celebrates members leading the way in environmental responsibility and embedding ESG principles at the heart of their business. Welch’s Transport’s pioneering investments in electric vehicles, innovative emissions-reduction technologies, and initiatives to engage staff in sustainable practices underline a commitment to making sustainability a core operational value.
Axtra Express Haulage was recognised with the prestigious Service of the Year Award, sponsored by Higgs, for delivering consistently outstanding service levels. Based on KPI performance from January to December 2024, Axtra achieved Diamond Star status every quarter and maintained an exceptional 99.5% service level—a testament to their relentless pursuit of operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
A new honour, the Charity Award, was introduced this year in collaboration with The Multibank, a unique charitable initiative that redistributes surplus essential goods to people in hardship across the UK. This award recognises an individual whose efforts have significantly expanded The Multibank’s reach and impact. The inaugural award was presented to Bob Garmory of Purvis Transport for his tireless dedication to championing the cause, inspiring others across the network to get involved and helping thousands of families in need.
The Rising Star Award, sponsored by One Broker, shone a spotlight on emerging talent within the network. Lauren Gell of Jack Richards & Son was named this year’s Rising Star in recognition of her extraordinary progression since joining the industry in 2019. From starting as a services and logistics coordinator to becoming operations manager, Lauren has demonstrated exceptional capability, resilience, and leadership.
The Outstanding Commitment Award, sponsored by Gold Vision, celebrates exceptional achievements by teams working within Palletline Group sites. Two teams were honoured this year:
- The Coventry Hub Team, represented by Geoff Lees, Coventry Hub Manager, for their consistent reliability and operational excellence, ensuring seamless service delivery even at peak times.
- The Health & Safety Team, represented by Liam Pegg, Group Health & Safety Manager, for their proactive approach to continuous improvement and setting high standards of safety across the business.
The Outstanding Commitment (Member) Award, sponsored by Allports Group, was presented to Bowker Transport for exceptional dedication, integrity, and support. Their consistent service and willingness to go above and beyond have made them a cornerstone of the network, setting the benchmark for operational excellence and collaboration across Palletline.
Recognising exceptional commercial performance, the Commercial Brilliance Award, sponsored by Go4ROI, was awarded to Shoreline who impressed judges with over 50% growth in network input contribution in 2024—growth fuelled by their strategic focus, energy, and ability to secure new business.
Palletline also used the occasion to support its nominated charity, The Multibank, with guests and members demonstrating their generosity by raising over £24,000 to help families in need.
Graham Leitch, Palletline’s Group CEO, commented: “The Beyond Members’ Evening and Awards is our chance to showcase the exceptional achievements of our member network.
“This year’s winners are a testament to the hard work, innovation, and dedication to service that define Palletline. Whether driving forward sustainability, raising the bar in service, or supporting our local communities, every award recipient embodies the values that make this network so special. My heartfelt congratulations to all our finalists and winners—thank you for making Palletline what it is today.”