The UK’s eight major pallet networks have reported sustained growth, maintained high service levels and achieved significant efficiency gains in the first half of 2025, according to new figures released by the Association of Pallet Networks (APN).
Between January and June 2025, more than 14.9 million pallets were delivered across the UK, representing a 2.7 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2024. Next Day delivery volumes were 2.8 per cent higher than the first half of 2024, while Economy services rose by 2.3 per cent. Next Day services accounted for 61.6 per cent of total volumes, with Economy services comprising 38.4 per cent, reflecting a modest increase in the use of Next Day services compared with the whole of 2024.
Growth was recorded across all pallet sizes. Full pallets increased by 2.6 per cent, half pallets by 2.8 per cent and quarter pallets by 2.4 per cent. Full pallets made up 48.8 per cent of total volumes, with half pallets representing 29.0 per cent and quarter pallets accounting for 22.2 per cent. Consignments increased by 2.3 per cent, with the average number of pallets per consignment remaining at 1.43.
Despite the increased volume, service levels remained strong, with 96 per cent of all deliveries meeting the required delivery criteria. Timed deliveries continued to grow in popularity, with almost 18 per cent of the six and a half million Next Day consignments during this period being booked for a specific delivery window, a slight increase on the same period in 2024.
The sector also delivered record improvements in safety. Across all networks, Hub-based safety incidents fell by 30.8 per cent compared with the first half of 2024, reducing the incident rate to 0.30 per 100,000 pallets delivered. This compares with a rate of 0.42 recorded across the whole of 2024. The APN Health and Safety Forum continues to play a key role in these improvements, campaigning and educating Hub teams and drivers on workplace safety and best practice.
Operational efficiency also saw measurable improvement. Forklift truck movements increased slightly to 21.5 pallets per hour, while trailer utilisation reached an average of 74.0 per cent by the end of June 2025. This consistently outperforms the Department for Transport’s averages for articulated vehicles and represents a significant environmental advantage of the pallet network model.
Paul Sanders, Chairman of the APN, said: “Pallet networks are built on a sustainable model, which delivers cost-effective transport solutions for small loads, benefitting customers and consumers alike. We are very conscious of our role in cutting carbon emissions through a shared platform, hub-and-spoke matrix, which minimises the miles pallets travel and brings fuel and emissions reductions. We are therefore delighted that service levels have remained so high, with 96 per cent of all deliveries meeting the specified delivery criteria. UK pallet networks achieve the three vital constituents of modern transport – value for money, environmental gains and excellent service.”
Lorna Hammond, Managing Director at C & D South West, commented: “These results reflect the strength, resilience and professionalism of the UK’s pallet network sector. At C & D South West, we are proud to contribute to this growth while upholding the highest service standards and advancing environmental efficiencies. Our customers benefit directly from a network that delivers not only on performance but also on sustainability, and we remain committed to building on these achievements throughout 2025.”
