THE WOLVERHAMPTON-HEADQUARTERED group already owns Pallet-Track, and both networks will continue to operate as standalone brands with their own membership models.

Founded in 2001 by Martyn Chapman, UPN has more than 100 UK members. It operates a 300,000 sq ft SmartHUB near Lichfield, Staffordshire, with its head office in Leicester. Earlier this year, northstarr opened a new head office and 405,000 sq ft central hub at Waterway Business Park, Wolverhampton.

Stuart Godman, group CEO at northstarr, said: “In a challenging economic climate, and with the pallet network landscape changing, size and scale matters. UPN is a well-established and respected name in the industry, with loyal membership and excellent technology.

“UPN and Pallet-Track will continue to run as independent networks, each retaining its own identity, and both will be stronger together for being part of the same family.”

Dave Brown, managing director at UPN, said: “UPN has been built on the strength of our members and the service they deliver every night. Joining northstarr gives us the backing and the broader set of services to help our members grow their own businesses.”

As well as Pallet-Track, northstarr owns cloud-based transport management specialist Truckcom, flexible warehousing operation Sqrrl Solutions and 4PL road transport firm X2.