A FAMILY-run haulier in Widnes is celebrating 70 years in the logistics industry with a significant investment in new equipment.

Clark Transport, a transport and distribution company, has installed an automated pallet sorting line to improve efficiency, reduce the need for manual sorting and ensure more consistent quality.

The new line, supplied by Pallet Sorting Systems BV, will sort up to 400 reusable wooden pallets per hour on behalf of IPP, one of Europe’s leading pallet poolers.

Phil Clark, operations director at Clark Transport, said: “We are committed to transforming our operation.

“We want to reduce the amount of manual handling that is required by staff during the sorting and repair process.

“The key to our success and longevity as a business is our willingness to invest in and diversify our services, and we are very proud to be celebrating our 70th year in business in 2023.”

The sorting line will make it quicker and easier to identify pallets that require repairing before they can be reused.

It follows the buying and installation of a pallet repair line and paint booth in 2021, with both machines helping to secure the future of the business, while returning reusable pallets to the circular economy as swiftly as possible.

Clark Transport partnered with IPP 18 years ago and sorts and repairs between 45,000 and 50,000 pallets per week on their behalf.

David Bage, operations director at IPP, said: “We are delighted that Clark Transport’s partnership with IPP has supported the growth and longevity of the business, and to have played a role in helping it reach this impressive milestone.”