A logistics company with more than 900 employees has joined a national drive to keep supermarkets and hospitals stocked during the coronavirus crisis.

Dartford-based freight firm, Davies Turner had been preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary before the virus outbreak.

But now the firm is placing the celebrations on hold to team up with 700 other logistics businesses and distribute critical emergency and food supplies.

The company is a member of one of eight major pallet networks – led by the Association of Pallet Networks (APN) – which are offering their services.

Barry Hayes, transport manager at Davies Turner, said: “We are proud to play our part in this unique collaboration as the entire UK industry joins forces to transport the most vital supplies.

"Collectively our sector has unrivalled resource and the individual companies are local experts with vast experience of express distribution and a key link in the UK supply chain.”

All members of the pallet networks will put their combined fleet of 23,500 vehicles at the government’s disposal.

The effort will see regional members such as Davis Turner collect freight from their local area, and transport it to the most appropriate regional distribution centre.

It is then reloaded onto vehicles returning to their area, providing a small but frequent delivery of vital goods to supermarkets, pharmacies and hospitals.

APN chairman Paul Sanders said: “We are uniquely placed to offer our services to ensure that emergency supplies coming from anywhere and destined for any corner of the UK, can be delivered quickly, safely and reliably to support critical services, whether in rural or urban settings.

"We would urge the government to take advantage of our unique skills set and infrastructure at this time of national crisis.

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