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Entrepeneurial flair at Martineau Johnson

29/03/2007

A pioneering businesswoman has addressed members of Birmingham’s business community at the latest event organised by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Hilary Devey, founder and managing director of Pall-ex, was the key speaker at the event which was hosted by Birmingham and London law firm Martineau Johnson at its No1 Colmore Square offices.

Leicestershire-based Pall-ex has become the must successful palleted freight distribution network in the UK, transporting around 10,000 consignments of freight on a daily basis.

Now boasting a multi-million pound turnover and an impressive portfolio of clients which includes Asda, Panasonic, Ikea and Marks & Spencer, Pall-ex has reached its position as market leader in under 10 years.

Hilary Devey, who was recognised at the CBI’s 2006 ‘first women awards,’ winning in the ‘business service’ category, was inspired to start her company having pinpointed financial and environmental inefficiencies in the UK’s haulage industry.

Her self-funded company, which started life in a disused air-hanger, is built on a unique business model which has seen hauliers joining a network which allows stock to be delivered to a central hub, from where it will be taken to its destination.

This means that vehicles are fuller, individual journeys are reduced and drivers treat all stock as their own, being financially protected by a share network.

Richard Wrigley, head of Martineau Johnson’s corporate group, commented: “Hilary’s is an interesting story; she has established an IT infrastructure capable of tracing stock and an accounting mechanism to allow for contra-payments, as well as forming the core business itself.

“She now has a business model that achieves next-day delivery to every UK postcode every day and a system that serves Pall-ex members and customers alike.

“We are pleased to support successful individuals like Hilary here at Martineau Johnson, and this particular event was very well attended by around 40 guests, showing that entrepreneurial flair and interest is still very much alive in the Midlands.”

For further information please contact Richard Wrigley on richard.wrigley@martjohn.com