Four-day working weeks on the increase

An increasing use of four-day working weeks due to the recession is changing delivery patterns and putting greater pressure on operators to cope with higher volumes mid-week and low volumes on Fridays.

The pallet networks are particularly noticing the shift in customer demand. Adam Leonard, managing director of TPN, says: "There is definitely a mid-week rush, and talking to others in the sector it seems to be widespread. Generally, if companies move to a four-day week, then Friday would be the preferred day off. Dealing with these delivery peaks and troughs demands greater flexibility from network members."

A spokeswoman for Business Post, owner of UK Pallets, says: "Fridays are quieter due to the four-day week, but we're not seeing any other shifts in delivery patterns."