Connect in June
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• From June 1 a new nationwide parcels distribution service will offer guaranteed next day deliveries and "competitive rates".
Connect UK is advertising for hauliers to become part of its network of local operators. Marketing director Barry
Glazer says: "We are looking for 430 local hauliers with a view to each one operating within a catchment area around his base of about 50Icm2 (20 miles') with exclusive rights to collect and deliver Connect UK's parcels in that area."
According to Glazer the company has made an "educated assumption" that large hauliers in particular have vehicles that are under-utilised and operate with spare capacity. This is the area Connect UK plans to tap.
"The system will work through hauliers collecting parcels within their catchment area and taking them back to their own depots," says Glazer. "Then our B-route trunkers will collect from these local depots and deliver to one of Connect UK's eight regional depots. From there the parcels will be sorted and trunked to our hub in Birmingham before being transmitted on to the next appropriate regional depot, then on to the local haulier's depot and then to the customer.
"Hauliers will be licensed in a very similar way to a franchise," continues Glazer, "and will be able to make substantial commission on every single parcel."