A logistics ‘superhub’ in Leeds promises major operational, financial and environmental benefits following a multi-million-pound investment.

Walkers Transport, a member of the Palletways network, has spent £3 million enhancing the facilities at its Northern Hub, which has consolidated the work of four smaller local sites into one location.

The newly upgraded facility now covers transport, operations and storage, with improvements to the site including the addition of a drive-through warehouse, specialised flooring solutions and more accessible trailer loading areas, allowing for more efficient flow of goods and reduced congestion.

A major consideration during the project was supporting the high-volume movement of pallets; the Northern Hub is currently processing 5,000 units per night with scalability to 8,000 and beyond as demand grows.

Chris Burley, Commercial Director at Walkers Transport, said: “Establishing this facility in Leeds offers a strategic advantage, with the location affording us a competitive edge and allowing us to contribute to improved cost efficiency across the Palletways network.

“To drive efficiency and optimise service levels, we have also fitted the site with a range of proprietary technologies and software solutions such as Walkers Climate, Walkers Tetris, and Walkers Insight – which have all been designed to improve the customer experience by allowing for real-time data analysis, improved resource management and streamlined logistics processes.”

He added: “This investment is indicative of our plans for future growth as a part of Palletways and will help unlock greater operational and financial benefits for us and the broader network.”

The Northern Hub covers 20% of UK postcodes and is also positioned to deliver major improvements to sustainability by reducing the average trunking distance per vehicle by 115 miles - translating to around 3,900 fewer miles travelled per day and an annual reduction in CO2 emissions equivalent to driving a car around the circumference of the Earth 220 times!

Warwick Trimble, UK Network Director at Palletways, attended the launch of the facility alongside other senior Palletways representatives, network members and the Walkers Transport team.

He said: “We applaud this investment and were pleased to see the newly-enhanced site first-hand. The Northern Hub promises to deliver major operational, financial and environmental benefits and we look forward to seeing the positive impact on our members.”