2006-08-30 Fortec Takes on World

Fortec's pallet load distribution coverage will be global by the end of 2006.

According to the pallet network's regional business development and marketing manager, Mick Dewhurst, Fortec International will allow it to offer a service thought to be unique among UK pallet networks: "Fortec International is part of our strategic development plan and has been made possible by our parent company, Geodis. "Geodis's global freight forwarding network is not something that was previously accessible to our licensees, but thanks to Geodis enabling us to launch an international operation licensees will be able offer international destinations to their customers."

Fortec has recruited an experienced freight forwarder to work at its hub in Lutterworth. Kate Stringfellow will be linking Fortec's current activities with road, rail, air and sea routes through Geodis, thereby creating an import and export and freight forwarding service for Fortec's members to sell to their clients. Fortec International starts with full coverage of 23 European countries and the company aims to have worldwide coverage in place by the end of 2006.

"Initially we will send one truck per night to the Geodis hub in High Wycombe," Dewhurst explains. "The service is 48 hours to all German and most Western European destinations and up to a maximum of 72 hours for far Eastern European destinations. The big advantage is our departures are daily. "Pallets go through Geodis's European hub in Germany for onward shipment. Cargoline is used for movement into East Europe", Dewhurst adds. "We aim to be moving 40 to 50 pallets a night by the end of October."

Fortec already handles imported palletised freight input into the network by Geodis.