FAQS

 

 

Browse through our frequently asked questions

General Questions

Can you help avoid problems arising from the Driver Shortage?

Yes as a 4PL with access to multiple asset pools in multiple locations we are uniquely placed to circumvent transport shortages arising from the well-publicised driver shortage unfortunately is set to deteriorate further.

Can you provide solutions based on backhaul?

True available backhaul at marginal or minimal rates where the original delivery is funding the round trip, is becoming rarer and rarer as customers are no longer prepared to fund this level of inefficiency in their supply chains. However, we pride ourselves in wherever possible matching this marginally costed resource with our customer’s activity and passing back this efficiency within our rate structures.

Can you provide solutions based on a one way transport rate?

Yes, in almost all cases by working with our large pool of partners and matching complementary activity with other X2 (UK) customers, we can match requirements with available resources and provide a cost effective solution based on one way rates.   

What is a transport control tower?

A transport control tower is the coordination point which, through expert management and integrated systems, controls the inbound flow of customer orders, the optimising and scheduling of those orders, the identification and allocation of the most cost effective assets and resources to make the final delivery, the management of the execution, event management, issue resolution, post-delivery processes and the closure of the cash to cash cycle.

What is a fully managed transport service?

Where an organisation commits to providing an all-encompassing transport solution for a client by managing the physical resources of partner organisations to provide an optimal solution not constrained by the contracted parties own assets.

What is a 4PL transport service provider?

Transport management and co-ordination by an organisation that does not supply asset based logistical services. Rather it is an “integrator that assembles the resources, capabilities, and technology of its own organisation and other organisations to design, optimise and execute transport solutions for its customers”.   

Why a 4PL?

Can you help me reduce my carbon footprint?

We can indeed. We provide a service to assess your current footprint using our carbon calculator and then employ our transport consultancy services to identify more efficient ways of servicing your customers. This could include moving away from a dedicated two-way solution, to a one-way or a shared user solution where you dilute your carbon footprint by working with other organisations through X2 (UK). 

Can you provide a one stop shop for all my transport requirements?

Yes we can. We can provide a national service for all your transport requirements from full loads, to part loads to pallets and even parcels if requiredWe cover the whole of the UK and Ireland and can also provide full load and part load services to and from mainland Europe.

How can you be cheaper or more efficient than me going direct?

X2 (UK) have long standing relationships with 100’s of transport companies who operate in every part of the UKWe match our customers’ specific requirements with the most efficient, available resource which allows us to be extremely cost effective and as we have customers and service providers all over the country we are also matching both outbound and inbound loads maximising loaded running which we can discount back to our customers with very competitive rates.   

Why not just deal with my local Haulage Company?

The vast majority of X2 (UK) partners are local, privately owned transport companies. They provide a superb and committed service for us but by their very nature cannot usually cover all the requirements for a customer across the UKIf they are locally based in the same area as you, they will be looking for prime transport rates out of their own area and then look for return loads at more marginal rates. This means in most cases a transport company which is local to you will be more expensive than sourcing multiple hauliers from the areas your customers are based in, who will be looking for return loads. X2 (UK) can provide this service for you, on a one stop shop basis

Why don’t I just manage multiple transport companies?

In this scenario you have multiple points of contact to place your orders with, to agree rates, to arrange collections, to progress chase deliveries, to resolve issues, to chase POD’s and pallets and then to deal with multiple invoices. Why not have one organisation who has the resource availability to enable it to commit to covering all your volume to all your customer’s destinations at an agreed price? Wouldn’t life be a lot simpler? 

I am a small retailer servicing multiple outlets nationally with my own fleet, how can you improve on that?

X2 (UK) could build cost effective “milk runs” but on a one way basis and utilise our pallet network for any outlying stores. This would allow more frequent deliveries than could be achieved on a dedicated fleet, which in turn would free up storage space for productive retail space and potentially improve on-shelf availability.

Why not just have my own fleet?

An own fleet solution may be absolutely the right choice, certainly for an element of a customer’s transport solution, or if the geography covered is quite restricted and the assets can be intensively utilised. However with the own fleet solution comes overhead to manage the operational, financial and legal aspects and if national coverage is required servicing many parts of the UK on a dedicated own fleet will result in vehicles running back empty from a significant number of delivery areas. Subcontracting these deliveries on a one way basis would be not only more cost effective, but also better for the environment. 

Why not just go to a large national transport provider?

If you deliver your products nationwide any large provider will still subcontract a significant amount of the volume outside their business, in particular to the areas that are not cost effective for them to service or where the consignment size is uneconomicOften if investing in assets they will seek an underwrite from their customers, which will in turn appear on your balance sheet. They will also have a significant business overhead which will need to be funded through their rates to customersThere will undoubtedly be many management levels before the decision maker is reached, which leads to unnecessary bureaucracy and protracted decision making. They will often only operate under a longer term contract where their performance would have to be very poor for a customer to be able to switch providers without incurring significant penalties. X2 (UK) pride themselves on being a lean, low overhead organisation, with flexible commercial arrangements with our customers.   

History & ownership of X2 (UK)

How independent are you?

We are completely independent of any external agreements or affiliations. 

Are you affiliated to any particular organisations?

No, we are an entirely independent organisation so we are free to work with organisations which are the best match to our customer’s requirements.   

What experience do your management team have?

The management team have vast experience working for a range of organisations in almost every sector in the UK and on average have over 20 years’ experience each in transport operations, gained in organisations such as Exel, DHL, UPS, Salvesen, TDG, Wincanton and Gist. Sector knowledge includes pallet networks, general haulage, newspapers & magazines, chill & frozen, fashion retailing, grocery retailing, Pub on-trade deliveries, electronics, building products, automotive, parcels and FMCG.  

Who owns X2 (UK) now?

X2 (UK) is owned entirely by its management team. 

Who started X2 (UK)?

X2 (UK) was originally formed by a number of regional transport companies who were associated through the Palletways network. 

How long has X2 (UK) been operating?

The business was formed in May 2003.

Systems and processes

Will you manage my pallets?

Yes we will as part of a pooling agreement i.e. CHEP, IPP and LPR. 

How many levels of management are there before I can speak to the most senior decision maker?

X2 (UK) works on an extremely empowered basis as the team is integral to the success of the X2 (UK) business so are in a position to make most decisions without reference to senior managementIf a customer feels the need to escalate an issue there is only one layer of management above our operators and that is directly to the owners of the business

What if I have a claim?

This is extremely rare but as the contracted party this would be with X2 (UK) and their insurers. X2 (UK) would then counter claim against the service provider but this would not affect the process for our customer.   

Who do I deal with if I have a problem?

Direct with X2 (UK)’s management team. 

Who supplies the insurance cover for my goods whilst in your care?

X2 (UK) have their own goods in transit insurance, along with public liability and employer’s liability. We carry goods under standard RHA conditions of carriage and can adjust the level of cover depending on customer requirements. We then insist on back to back insurances with all our transport partners.

Do you have track and trace?

Yes we do on all consignments. 

How do you manage your service providers?

The majority of our transport partners have been working with X2 (UK) for a number of yearsWe tend to work with small to medium sized transport businesses that are both professional & committed. We have a detailed selection and qualification criteria and a standard SLA for all our operations. Where a customer has a specific service requirement then all our partners involved in that piece of business sign up to the same agreements that X2 (UK) have with their customer.

What systems do you operate?

We operate Manpac3 from Mandata, the leading transport management system and a track and trace system for our pallet network activity, along with a range of business support systems. Facilities include web order entry, electronic transfer of data, enquiries over the internet and scanned POD’s available via the web.   

Resource and equipment types

Do you have reciprocal arrangements with hauliers / customers?

Yes we do in both cases; hauliers who work for us regularly give us some of their customers’ work to arrange on their behalf and a number of our customers provide their core fleet out of hours for X2 (UK) to use on night trunking or customer deliveries when they are not being used.   

What are your Operating days and hours?

We operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year. 

Where are your other locations?

Our partner locations are literally in every postcode in the UK and Ireland. 

Where is your HQ?

We are based in the centre of the country near Magna Park In Leicestershire close to the M1, M6 and M69 motorways. 

Can you provide a transport solution with stand trailers if required?

Yes we can, either by having regular partners doing regular volumes into specific areas who can mix and match a trailer pool, or by introducing an X2 (UK) trailer pool. 

Can you provide a transport solution with Fridge trailers?

Yes we can, to operate at chilled +2 to +8, or frozen at -25 and we can also provide rigids.

Can you provide a transport solution with Hiabs?

Yes we can, both rigid and Artics. 

Can you provide a transport solution with Moffat trailers?

Yes we can. 

Can you provide a transport solution with flatbed trailers and rigids?

Yes we can, with or without moffat or hiab capability. 

Can you provide curtainsider trailers and rigids?

Yes we can, with or without tail lifts.   

Can you provide a transport solution with Box trailers or rigids?

Yes we can, with tail lifts if required, with barn doors or shutter doors. 

Can you provide a transport solution with Tail lift vehicles and trailers?

Yes we can. 

Can you provide a transport solution with Vans?

Yes we can, from 3.5cwt vans to long wheelbase sprinters and Luton vans. 

Can you provide a transport solution with 7.5 tonners?

Yes we can, with both boxes and curtainsiders, with tail lifts if required.   

Can you provide a transport solution with Rigids?

Yes we can, including 10 ton, 18 ton and 26 ton equipment, boxes and curtainsiders with tail lifts if required. 

Can you provide a transport solution with Artics?

Yes we can, from lightweight 44 ton equipment down to 32 ton 4×2 tractor units. 

Do you run your own trailers?

Yes we do, where there is a particular need such as specialised equipment i.e. double deck trailers or high cube equipment, or where there is a stand trailer requirement.   

How many partners do you work with?

We have literally 100’s of partners located all over the UK and Ireland covering every postcode.   

Services

Do you operate over bank holidays?

Yes we do, operating across and between bank holidays and weekends both days and nights. 

Do you deliver at the weekend?

Yes we do, both deliveries and collections across weekends, days and nights as well as over bank holidays. 

Do you deliver at night?

Yes we do, deliveries and collections days, nights, weekends and bank holidays. 

How quickly can you support a requirement?

This very much depends on the requirement, how large or how complicated, but much of our activity requires us covering work presented to us on the same day as it is required. In the past we have responded to quite large opportunities of up to 30 vehicles across three sites, with the request coming in at 16:30 on the Friday with everything in place and operating from 02:00 on the Monday morning.   

How quickly can you respond to a request?

We operate 24/7 so you will always be able to talk to one of the X2 (UK) management team

What lead times can you work with?

We work with a whole range of lead times from same day emergency courier movements to day one day one and day one day two deliveries into the retail and wholesale markets, as well as more traditional day one day three movements. 

Can you manage my returnable packaging?

Yes we can, including pallets, stillage’s, crates, cages, pallet boxes etc. 

If I have a requirement for parcel traffic can you provide this sort of service?

Yes we can, we have existing relationships with a number of parcel carriers.   

Are you able to provide Repacking services for me?

Yes we are. At sites all over the country 

Can you organise Product reworking for me?

Yes we can, whether it’s re-palletisation, restacking, conversion into Euro pallets or from Euro pallets onto standard UK pallets, or more complex reworking. 

Can you facilitate cross dock and consolidation centres around the UK?

Yes we can, with multiple partners and strong relationships with both 3PL’s and customers, we have an unrivalled access to cross dock locations and storage facilities in every postcode across the UK. 

Do you have access to strategic stockholding locations around the UK?

Yes we do, with multiple partners and strong relationships with both 3PL’s and customers we have an unrivalled access to storage and cross dock locations in every postcode across the UK. 

Do you provide transport Consultancy Services?

Yes we do. We endeavour to take a consultative approach when looking at any opportunity so we can put forward the optimum solution unconstrained by any single asset base, unlike other providersThe difference with our consultative approach is that given the opportunity, we can actually deliver the savings we identify.   

Can you arrange export movements on my behalf?

Yes we can, to anywhere in the world.

Can you arrange pallets and full loads to be collected in Europe and brought back into the UK?

Yes, we can collect both full loads and pallet volumes right across Western Europe to bring back into the UK. 

Can you do my full loads into Europe?

Yes we can, curtainsiders and boxes.   

Can you deliver pallets into Europe for me?

Yes, we can deliver small pallet consignments from the UK to mainland Europe and likewise collect consignments from mainland Europe to bring back into the UK. 

What parts of the country don’t you service if any?

There are no parts of either the UK mainland or offshore islands that we cannot service 

Will you do Home delivery on my behalf?

Yes, if the products can be palletised we can provide a home delivery solution anywhere in the UK and Ireland. 

Will you manage my inter-site trunking?

Yes, we manage a number of trunking operations on behalf of retailers, manufacturers and 3rd party suppliers. 

Do you deliver directly to retail outlets?

Yes, we have extensive experience in delivering loose, palletised and caged loads to retail outlets both high street and out of town, in sectors as diverse as fashion and DIY. 

Will you arrange my emergency courier jobs?

Yes, from a sprinter van down to document movements by motorcycle. 

Do you deliver to Distribution centres’ (DC’s and NDC’s)?

Yes we deliver to all the main food and non-food DC’s in the UK and are used to working within their booking in constraints. 

What about my small consignments?

We can cover from ¼ of a pallet upwards, both UK and Europe 

Do you do part loads?

Yes we do, both UK and Europe, utilising a whole range of equipment types. 

Do you do full loads?

Yes we do, both UK and Europe, utilising a whole range of equipment types.   

Will you act as one of a number of my service providers?

We can act as a support to your core fleet or to your main contractor, or we can be one of a number of your transport providers.    

Will you support one-off projects?

Yes we are happy to do this. On many occasions X2 (UK) has undertaken large scale stock movements due to warehouse and business relocations, one off promotional activity and new product launches.   

Will you support my core transport fleet?

Absolutely, we would be delighted to undertake all the deliveries your core fleet does not cover including remote areas and peaks in volume activity.

Will you just support me in certain areas of the country like my Scottish deliveries or into the South-east?

Yes, we can support and compliment either your main contractor or your own fleet in servicing areas which are uneconomic for you to deliver to. We can do this on a fully committed basis i.e. where we commit to cover all the volume into a particular area at an agreed rate, or we can supply services on an ad hoc basis. 

Can you manage my returns and reverse logistics transport requirements?

Yes we can, either at the time of delivery or a subsequent collectionAnother X2 (UK) value add is where a delivery is refused for whatever reason and is a long way from your site, we have the option of holding the stock at one of our local depots until the issue is resolved and the product rebooked for delivery, saving the return cost as well as reducing the redelivery charge

Can you manage the movement of work in progress (WIP) between co-packers?

Yes we can, scheduling both collection and redelivery where required.

Can you manage the collection of inbound from my packaging suppliers?

Yes we can, as full loads or by individual pallet. 

Can you manage the inbound collection of raw materials and packaging from the port of entry?

Yes we can, as pallets, loose product or even containers

Can you collect raw materials from my suppliers?

Yes we can, from UK or European suppliers, full loads or pallets, from DC’s or port of entry.

Can you distribute my finished goods to my customers?

Yes we can, to a DC a retail outlet or direct to the consumer. 

Can you provide a total transport solution for my business?

Yes we can, from the smallest consignment to full loads, UK and European, finished goods, WIP, inbound and reverse logistics. 

What types of customers do you work with?

We provide services to well-known grocery retailers, non-food high street retailers, third party logistics companies, FMCG suppliers, building products companies, drinks manufacturers, automotive and industrial manufacturers.   

Commercial Agreement

Would you enter into a risk and reward scheme?

Yes we would, as part of a wider commercial arrangement 

What pricing models do you operate?

We can operate under all the following pricing models, Load rates, pallet rates, day rates, mileage rates, cubic fill rates and case rates. 

Would you enter into a value share agreement?

Yes we would be happy to enter into an agreement where we are further motivated to maximise the savings to our customers by sharing in the benefits we identify and deliver.   

Do you operate open book agreements?

Yes we do, but these are quite rare as customers usually want a fixed price rather than a variable open book rate.

Do you operate Closed book agreements?

Yes we do, our relationships are predominantly based on closed book load rates or pallet rates. We also operate some on mileage rates or vehicle day rates.    

Do you record and monitor performance through KPIs?

Yes we do, tailored to clients specific needs. 

Do you have a standard agreement to trade?

Yes we do, this is based on standard RHA conditions of carriage. With goods in transit rates modified to suit individual client’s needs, up to £10,000 a ton. 

What sort of contract agreements do you enter into?

We try to make things as simple and straightforward for our customers as possible. We are of course delighted to enter into a formal contract with clients, either for a fixed or rolling term, but are equally at home with a simple agreement to trade.   

Partner Zone 

What vehicle types are you looking for?

All types, including Artics with curtainsiders and boxes, rigids, vans and even some specialist equipment. 

What are your growth plans?

We have significant growth plans in both the UK and into Europe.

Can you cover loads currently that I have to subcontract?

Yes we can. Many of our relationships with our haulier partners are reciprocal. 

How do I become an approved supplier?

In the first instance please contact the team to discuss on ask@x2uk.com  we will then complete a questionnaire with you and request references and copies of certain documents such as O-licence and insurances. 

What work is available?

A whole range of regular and ad hoc movements, full load, part load, pallets and courier work. 

Who owns the business?

The management team. 

Who are your financial backers?

We are fully independent owned 100% by the management team, with Banking facilities with Barclays and ABN Amro. 

What is your policy on payments?

We pay our suppliers better than industry average. 

What sort of customers do you work for?

A range of well known blue chip businesses including retailers, manufacturers and third party logistics companies. 

How long have you been trading?

Since May 2003.