HAULAGE company Prestons of Potto has joined the expanding Pall-Ex Network.

With a turnover exceeding £20m, more than 220 vehicles and 310 employees, Prestons is looking to expand into the Teesside area.

Started in 1936 as an agricultural firm, Prestons turned its focus to haulage and warehousing in 1957 and now boasts an impressive client base including Coca-Cola, Corus and British Sugar.

Anne Preston, chairman of the company, said: "We were looking to increase the range of services we could offer existing and potential customers.

"A pallet network seemed the obvious choice as pallets are the largest area for growth in the Teesside area.

"Pall-Ex offers the same high levels of service we currently offer and we are excited that we will be involved at the beginning of a new era of Pall-Ex with the opening of their new hub that can match anything in Europe."

Ms Preston was awarded the MBE in 1987 for services to the transport industry, was the winner of Teesside Business Woman and was the first female board member of the Road Haulage Association.

Alan Cramley, director of sales and marketing at Pall-Ex, said: "We are delighted that a company such as Prestons of Potto, that is renowned for its high service levels, flexibility, availability and quick decision-making, could see the huge potential of joining the Pall-Ex network - providing a huge customer base and the opportunity to expand throughout the UK and now Europe."