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Pall-Ex has furious split with veteran member
Page 7
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EXCLUSIVE • by DOIlliniC Perry
A furious row has broken out between pallet network Pall-Ex and one of its longest-serving members, Rymer Transport.
The Croydon-based firm is incensed that it was kicked out of the network at very short notice; and it claims that the hub held onto its freight for almost 24 hours.
Rymer boss Darren Jenkins says that although his firm had tendered its resignation to the network, it was working through its notice period. The first sign of problems with its membership came when its trunker arrived at the Pall-Ex hub on Tuesday night (19 November). After it was unloaded the Rymer driver was told that his firm's contract had been terminated and he was asked to leave.
Jenkins assumed that Rymer's freight would still be delivered—he was astonished to receive phone calls on Wednesday morning from frantic customers asking where their pallets were.
"The hub hadn't released the freight to the network, which is a bit childish; after all we delivered the rest of the network's," he says. "We could have been bitchy about it but there's just no point. Hilary Sharpies [who runs Pall-Ex] didn't have the decency to phone me and tell me why" He adds that Rymer was finally allowed access to its goods at 18:30hrs on Wednesday (20 November).
Pall-Ex spokesman Alan Cramley says there had recently been numerous problems with Rymer, including many late deliveries and rude and unhelpful staff: "We have expelled them from the network for ongoing service failures and the problems they were causing to the rest of the network. We took steps to maintain the reputation of the Pall-Ex name and network."
Cramley denies that any freight was held, claiming that it was put into the network. But an e-mail between Pall-Ex and Rymer paints a different picture. It reads: "...our solicitors are currently discussing the framework of an agree ment/undertakings to achieve the release of any freight currently being held."
Jenkins admits that Rymer was having problems meeting timed deliveries but says he received no support from the hub. He is also annoyed that its replacement, Fiveways Express, was targeting Rymer's customers within 24 hours.
Cramley argues that the customers are now fair game to any network.
• See page 3.