What is The Pallet Network and Why Use It for Your Business
We’re thrilled to announce a major expansion to the Parcel Broker platform. We have officially partnered with The Pallet Network (TPN) to bring their industry-leading freight services directly to our customers.
In our mission to provide a complete shipping solution for businesses, we’ve integrated TPN’s services into our ecosystem. Now, you can access the same instant quote and booking experience you enjoy for standard parcels, applied to palletised freight.
Our goal has always been simple: to offer customers the absolute best rates and the market’s most reliable routes. To do this, we realised that as your businesses grow, your shipping needs evolve.
Perhaps you don’t just need to send shoebox-sized parcels: you might need to ship engines, bulk inventory, and building materials! We wanted to make sure that when you outgrow standard parcel couriers, you don't have to leave our platform to find a solution.
What is The Pallet Network (TPN)?
TPN is the UK's leading pallet network. When you book a TPN service through Parcel Broker, you’re accessing a logistics machine that is widely considered one of the best in the business.
They’re an award-winning network with a reputation for service excellence (and have repeatedly won the prestigious ‘Pallet Network of the Year’ title, as voted for by freight customers and depot partners).
Their infrastructure is massive (so your goods are never far from a qualified driver!) With over 140 regional depots, they have a vast network of local transport partners covering every postcode in the UK.
Plus, they boast some of the lowest damage rates in the industry. As pallets are moved by forklifts and secured on trucks (rather than tumbling down conveyor belts like small parcels), your heavier or fragile goods are significantly safer in their hands.
The benefits of using TPN for your business
Switching from standard parcels to pallet distribution can be a complete game-changer for growing businesses. Here’s why:
Cost-effective scaling
Logistics often presents a dilemma for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): sending 10 separate large boxes via a parcel courier is prohibitively expensive, but hiring a dedicated lorry for a single shipment is overkill.
TPN is the perfect middle ground. You pay only for the pallet space you use (e.g. a Quarter, Half, or Full pallet). Taking this approach means you can consolidate multiple loose parcels into one single, cheaper shipment.
It’s the most economical way to move freight that is too big for the postman but too small for a full truckload.
Security (and lower damage rates)
If you’ve ever had a heavy item arrive damaged because it was dropped by a courier or crushed at the bottom of a van, you’ll appreciate the superior security offered by the TPN network:
- Built for stability: Goods on TPN are stacked on a sturdy wooden base, shrink-wrapped, and strapped down.
- Mechanical handling: Standard parcels are often ‘hand-balled’ into cages or travel down steep chutes, but TPN pallets are moved exclusively by forklifts and electric pump trucks. It massively reduces the risk of human error or dropping.
- Certified Excellence: TPN are ISO 9001 certified for Quality Management. Their hubs and depots follow strict, standardised procedures to guarantee goods are handled with the highest level of care.
Versatility
The Parcel Broker and TPN partnership unlocks the ability to send items that most standard couriers simply won’t touch. When a box is too big, too heavy, or too awkward for a conveyor belt, a pallet is often the only answer.
- Bulky, awkward Items: Standard couriers often have strict weight limits (usually around 30kg) and hate irregular shapes. TPN is designed for them.
When to Choose TPN via Parcel Broker
Not sure if you need a parcel courier or a pallet network? Use this quick checklist. If your shipment fits any of the criteria below, it’s time to click the ‘Pallet’ tab on the Parcel Broker quote tool.
Volume
Standard parcel couriers are fantastic for lighter items, but once your shipment exceeds 30kg–50kg, the price per box can skyrocket.
You could be sending a single heavy machine part or 20 boxes of stock to the same address: in any case, consolidating them onto one pallet is often significantly cheaper than paying for multiple individual shipping labels.
Fragility
Some items just can’t survive the tumble of a conveyor belt.
If your item is top-heavy, prone to tipping, or easily crushed, it needs a stable base. Securing your goods to a wooden pallet ensures they stay upright throughout the journey. It also acts as a physical shield against the bumps of the road.
Professionalism
How your goods arrive says a lot about your business.
For B2B transactions, arriving on a pallet is the industry standard: it implies a substantial, professional commercial shipment. It’s important to note that TPN also operates a ‘Kerbside Delivery’ service.
In these cases, the driver will lower the pallet from the truck to the ground (kerbside) using a tail lift and pump truck, but they will not carry goods inside or upstairs. This option is ideal for business addresses or customers prepared to receive freight.
Ready to ship smarter?
At Parcel Broker, we’re incredibly proud to offer The Pallet Network services to our customers. We carefully select our partners because we know your reputation is on the line with every delivery you make.
We believe TPN offers one of the best pallet delivery experiences in the UK by combining enterprise-level reliability with the flexibility small businesses need. So, get your instant TPN quote today by clicking the 'Pallet' tab on our quote tool.