Sheffield panel manufacturer hits the road with £200k investment

Panel Systems, the Sheffield-based manufacturer of architectural, decorative and composite panels, has invested £200k in its own fleet of commercial vehicles.

The investment in two new trucks and a drawbar means that Panel Systems will now be able to manage its own deliveries in-house from a dedicated transport division, located at Waleswood near Sheffield.

As a result, the company has also created two new roles within the business, with a new transport manager and a truck driver appointed to run its delivery operations.

Chris Ibbotson, managing director at Panel Systems, said: “Investing in our own fleet made sense both financially and logistically, as these new trucks offer us greater flexibility and will help to reduce lead times.

“Operating our own vehicles means we have more control over scheduling the deliveries. Furthermore it will reduce the handling of our products, which will minimise the potential for damage and will improve customer satisfaction.”

The trucks are DAF CF Euro 6 models, part of DAF’s range of lower emission vehicles that comply with strict Euro 6 standards to reduce levels of harmful exhaust emissions.

Panel Systems is also in the process of obtaining FORS (Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme) accreditation, a voluntary scheme which aims to raise the level of quality and standards maintained within fleet operations.

Chris added: “This is the first time that we have operated our own fleet in 26 years, so it is exciting to see the new trucks out on the road. These new vehicles will help support the future growth of the business, as we’re experiencing strong demand for our panels from the construction, commercial vehicle and OEM markets.”

This is the fourth major investment that Panel Systems has made in less than a year, with the company having recently purchased a new beam saw and two new adhesive spray booths for bespoke projects and invested in in-house testing facilities, totalling over £200k.

Panel Systems provides the construction industry with architectural composite panels which are used by window and curtain walling contractors to create stunning facades for new and refurbished buildings.

The company also fabricates a range of external cladding boards, such as Trespa, Eternit and Rockpanel to complement its architectural panel products.

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