A Basildon transport company is forecasting that 2002 will be a bumper year after noting a major increase in business in spite of the downturn afflicting the UK economy.

Balin Distribution has reported that in spite of talk of belt-tightening and cutbacks, the number of businesses using its distribution services in the last quarter of 2001 increased significantly, with turnover over Christmas up by 15 per cent on the previous year.

Now the company is expecting turnover to go up by a massive 25 per cent over the coming year.

The company has put the huge increase in demand for its services down to its decision to join national palletised freight distribution network Palletways, which it claims has increased its ability to react to its customer's growing demands.

Managing director Mark Betts, said: "Much of the increase has been down to the company being part of the Palletways network, allowing us to offer a quality service in what has become the fastest growing sector in the logistics industry."

"Since joining Palletways we have not looked back."

Published Tuesday, February 19, 2002