LPR appoints new operations manager in ongoing expansion

Europe’s second largest pallet pooling provider, LPR, has appointed a new operations manager after a period of rapid growth. Simon Wood will be heading operations for the UK division of the logistics giant.

Wood will be focusing on standardising LPR’s operations structure to ensure customers continue to receive high levels of support and excellent customer service as the business grows; introducing even greater standards of professionalism and encouraging team development.

After completing an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering, Wood spent eight years at Ford, followed by eight years in the chemical industry in an engineering role. He then moved to the logistics industry, working as technical manager and plant manager with CHEP for a further eight years. Since November 2013, Wood has acted as a consultant in pallet pooling, specialising in the white pallet sector.

Wood said: “I am thrilled to be joining LPR because of its reputation as a dynamic, growing business which does what it says on the tin. I feel I have a real opportunity to make a difference and look forward to working with an incredibly talented and supportive team. My aim is to ensure the LPR UK team is the best in the industry by continuing to deliver first class customer service and supporting the team from within.”

Jane Gorick, managing director at LPR UK, said: “I am pleased to welcome Simon Wood as our new operations manager. LPR UK is celebrating fantastic year-on-year growth and has appointed a number of new recruits this year as part of our expansion in the UK market.

“Over the next few months, we can see a big trend towards automation, as warehouse managers, retailers and manufacturers all look for a more hands-off approach with an aim to move to a proper service industry. Lessons could be learned from the just-in-time drive in the automotive sector a few decades back – which parallels what is currently happening in FMCG retail. With Simon’s wealth of knowledge from his time at both Ford and in the logistics industry, I have no doubt that 2015 will be even more successful still.”