Evans Transport Blog

We’re excited to announce that Evans Transport has officially taken over the NP postcode region for Palletforce, operating from our Caldicot depot, effective 29th September 2025.

This milestone marks another step forward in our ongoing growth strategy. It follows the successful acquisition of Hicks in 2018—also based in Caldicot—which significantly strengthened our General Haulage coverage across South Wales.

With existing Palletforce depots in Launceston and Bideford, this latest development demonstrates our commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and building on our reputation within the pallet network sector.

This project has involved months of detailed planning and a considerable investment in resources—including the addition of several new lorries.

At Evans Transport, we're always striving to improve our services and deliver the best possible experience for our customers. That's why we're excited to announce the construction of a brand new PalletForce shed at our Bideford site!

This project, which began earlier this year, is dedicated to expanding our dry loading space specifically for our PalletForce network. This expansion will bring several key benefits:

• Increased Efficiency: The new shed will provide significantly more space for handling palletized goods, streamlining the entire loading and unloading process.
• Enhanced Vehicle Access: The improved layout will allow for better vehicle maneuverability, reducing congestion and optimizing traffic flow within the Bideford site.
• Improved Warehousing Opportunities: Once the new shed is operational, the existing one will be freed up, creating additional space for Evans Transport's general warehousing needs.

We're proud to be working with a fantastic team on this project. T&M Buildings supplied the steelwork, assisted with groundworks, and will be completing the concrete floor. Watts Partridge Construction is handling the erection of the steelwork and cladding – you can even see a progress video on their Facebook page!

For the project, we're utilizing our own reliable machinery, including a 24-ton Volvo 360 excavator and a 46-ton Volvo excavator. T&M Buildings is utilizing their telehandler for on-site material handling, while Watts Partridge Construction has brought in two cherry pickers from National Platforms to aid in the construction process.

This new PalletForce shed isn't just about bricks and mortar; it's about building a more efficient and productive future for Evans Transport's palletized goods distribution. With a targeted completion date before winter, this expansion will provide our dedicated PalletForce team with the space they need to safely secure loads and deliver exceptional service to our valued customers.

This week saw the annual Evans Transport Golf Day which is always hosted by the oldest course in England - The Royal North Devon Golf Club.

The field was slightly reduced at the last minute due to Covid concerns but there were well over 20 players travelling from all over the country to compete.

The winner of the individual prize with a superb 39 Stableford points (off a 2 handicap) was Tom Haley from www.bottltd.co.uk and in second place was Paul Glyn who was a guest of  SR Furniture

The 1st team prize went to:
Darren Hill from Atlas Packaging
Tom Haley & Mark Loudwill from Bott Ltd
Keith Valder - Guest.

Devon & Cornwall-based Evans Transport Ltd has joined over 700 logistics businesses, all members of the UK’s eight major distribution networks, to put their combined fleet of 23,500 vehicles at the government’s disposal.

In an unprecedented move headed by the Association of Pallet Networks (APN), the networks have joined forces to offer their services for the express distribution of critical emergency and food supplies.

Between them they have 30,000 employees, over 750 depots, and offer 100 per cent national coverage by postcode. As member of the Palletforce network, Evans Transport is a leading distribution specialist within its own region, with knowledge of local distribution centres, essential businesses, hospitals and community hubs.

Nigel Evans, Managing Director at Evans Transport, said: “We are proud to play our part in this unique collaboration as the entire UK industry joins forces to transport the most vital supplies. Collectively our sector has unrivalled resource and the individual companies are local experts with vast experience of express distribution as a key link in the UK supply chain.”

At the recent Palletforce Gala dinner held in London Evans Transport were awarded the Depot of the Year award for the fourth year running.

Mike Symons and Bonnie Birch are show collecting the award on the night.

Receiving this award continues to illustrate the high quality of customer service they provide, and the hard work carried out by all our drivers.

We look forward to seeing you at the Greatest Show in North Devon !!

We are delighted that we have won the Robert Bedford Palletforce Depot of the year award a huge thanks and congratulations goes to all our staff within the Palletforce operation.

Palletforce Team “Depot of the Year” for second year running.

At the annual Palletforce Gala Awards Dinner held in London, the Evans Transport Palletforce team were presented with the prestigious “Depot of the Year” award for 2014. From their base in East the Water the Palletforce team collect and deliver customer pallets daily through the Palletforce Organisation located in the East Midlands who are supported by 90 other depots.

Receiving this award is a major testament to the staff at Palletforce here in Bideford, during the last twelve months they have witnessed a significant increase in freight, as the Palletforce organisation reputation continues to grow due to high quality service to all their customers.

The Bideford Depot provides first class service backed up by a fleet of vehicles capable of delivering various pallet sizes, with tail lifts and experienced drivers. The customer service team are always on hand to offer support and advice for all your needs.    

Evans Transport boosts their “Palletforce” fleet taking delivery of new state of the art Trailer.

New to the fleet here at Evans Transport is the 52 foot long double decker trailer, used specifically for the Palletforce arm of their business.

The new trailer carries 8 more pallets than the normal standard, thus helping to reduce vehicle volumes on a weekly/yearly basis.

This delivery is the first of 3 trailers we are taking delivery of over the coming weeks.