TPN boosts operations team with highly experienced director

THE Pallet Network (TPN) has appointed industry veteran Bob Richards as Operations Director.

Bob has more than 30 years' experience in high-level operational positions within logistics, including decades spent with major 3PLs, and manufacturers including Christian Salvesen, TDG, Bidvest and Heinz. He has experience of pallet networks, having previously worked at Pall-Ex and Palletways.

Most recently he ran his own logistics consultancy, Jacs Innovations, specialising in change and project management.

Bob says only the right opportunity could tempt him away from his own business.  "I met with Mark Kendall and saw the operation here. What impressed me was the culture and embedded values of the business. It's a busy environment but it's clear that TPN people are happy to be here and strive for excellence because they believe in it."

Bob's passions are perfecting process and developing people. "These are the two essential ingredients for an optimised logistics operation," he says. "TPN currently has a young and promising operations team and I am excited about the opportunity to help them grow and develop."

Bob will have ultimate responsibility for the day and night operations at TPN's Minworth Hub, and its regional Hubs in Preston, Northampton and Coventry.

MD Mark Kendall says: "Finding someone to fill your own previous position, who you trust will make it their own, is always a special kind of challenge. I'm confident that Bob's extensive experience, and his obvious commitment to creating operations which are values as well as results-driven, will make him a huge asset to TPN and a great fit for our culture."

TPN prides itself on a unique culture of mutual respect, trust and support at the Hub and throughout the network. It is also committed to continuous improvement in its customer service, its Partnership proposition, its environmental legacy and in leading better conditions for logistics workers.

For instance, this year the company has instituted free evening meals for all FLT and HGV drivers, and has been hugely successful in its free pallet recycling scheme. It has offered unparalleled support to its Partners throughout COVID, Brexit and the driver shortage, including pioneering a national recruitment campaign for HGV drivers.