Tomsetts Distribution

What Tomsetts Distribution does

Tomsetts Distribution Ltd. is a UK family-run haulage and palletised freight distribution company founded in 1975 and headquartered in Newhaven, East Sussex. The company operates a 45-vehicle fleet and participates in the Palletforce shared pallet network, which provides nationwide UK distribution routing economics that an independent operator at this scale could not replicate in isolation. Tomsetts serves a diversified base of manufacturers, retailers, and industrial clients, with named long-term customers including Alexander Rose, Seevent Plastics, Plasson UK, and Go Plastic Pallets; the company positions itself as "trusted by hundreds of businesses" and has been recognised among the Top 20 Sussex companies.

Name

Tomsetts Distribution

Legal name

Tomsetts Distribution Ltd.

Website

https://tomsetts.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight and Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), General Warehousing and Storage (49311), Couriers and Express Delivery Services (492110)

SIC

Trucking (No Local) (4213), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

Truckload (TL) Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cross-Border E-commerce Ocean Forwarding (DDP/DDU) (TLACABAK), Container Yards & Inland Depot Storage (Empty Container Depots/ICDs) (TLALAAAI), Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAC)

Keywords

• Road freight services
• Pallet delivery
• International freight forwarding
• Warehouse storage
• Logistics services

Headquarters

HQ city

Newhaven

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Freight and Transport Services: Core revenue from road freight, air freight, sea freight, pallet delivery (UK, Europe, international). Services include courier, dedicated transport, and customs clearance.
2. Warehousing and Storage: Container storage from £180/month, internal and external storage options, goods inwards, inventory holding, breaking bulk, repackaging, and distribution services.
3. Container Storage: Secure, weather-resistant container storage in Newhaven yard with 24/7 access, priced at £180 per container per month.
4. Truck Stop Facilities: Secure overnight parking for HGV drivers at £31.50 per night with facilities including CCTV, toilets, showers, vending machines.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tomsetts Distribution is a UK-based haulage and logistics company providing pallet delivery across the UK and Europe, road freight, sea freight, air freight, and international freight forwarding services. The company complements its transport services with warehousing, container storage, and a secure depot parking facility for HGV drivers, operating from its Hailsham, East Sussex depot on a 24/7 basis.

Product overview

Tomsetts Distribution operates as a logistics and haulage company offering a comprehensive suite of freight and pallet delivery services. The core offering consists of Pallet Delivery (UK and Europe), Road Freight, Sea Freight, and Air Freight, which together provide door-to-door delivery solutions from single pallets to full container loads across the UK, Europe, and worldwide. These core services are supported by Container Storage and Warehousing & Distribution add-on modules for businesses needing flexible storage and fulfillment capabilities. The company also offers Secure Depot Parking as an additional service for HGV drivers. All services are delivered through the Palletforce network and the company's own 45-strong fleet, with a focus on sustainability and modern tracking technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pallet Delivery UK UK-wide pallet delivery service via the Palletforce network, with next-day and economy options for B2B shippers, including live tracking and 24/7 traceability.
• Pallet Delivery Europe European pallet delivery service via Palletforce International, providing pan-Europe coverage for B2B shippers with full tracking and competitive pricing.
• Road Freight Domestic UK road freight service using the company's own modern fleet, providing flexible, reliable haulage for B2B shippers with full tracking and traceability.
• Sea Freight Sea freight forwarding service for B2B importers and exporters, providing ocean transport to global destinations with full tracking and traceability.
• Air Freight Air freight forwarding service for time-sensitive B2B import/export shipments, providing global air transport with full tracking and traceability.
• International Freight Comprehensive international freight service combining air, sea, and road transport options for door-to-door delivery anywhere in the world, including customs clearance support for B2B importers and exporters.
• Container Storage Flexible pay-as-you-go or monthly rental secure storage units (20ft and 40ft containers) at the Hailsham, East Sussex depot for short- or long-term storage needs.
• Warehousing and Distribution Warehousing and distribution service at the Hailsham, East Sussex depot, available on long-term contracts with discount, including pick-and-pack and onward distribution for B2B customers.
• Secure Depot Parking Secure depot parking facility for HGV trucks and trailers at the Hailsham, East Sussex depot, offered on unit pricing for haulage operators and drivers.
• Courier Services Courier services for smaller, time-sensitive shipments, complementing the company's pallet and freight services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Network vehicles operate 73% full compared to industry average of 51%, reducing trucks on UK roads by approximately 800 per day
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PalletforcecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTomsetts is a member of Palletforce, the UK's largest pallet network with 120 depots in UK, superhubs, and extensive European network. Palletforce provides the hub-and-spoke model for enhanced last-mile delivery service. Palletforce is working towards net zero across scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.
• EV CargocoreTechnology or IntegrationParent company of Palletforce. Launched EV Scope emissions tracking tool - first pallet network to offer such emissions monitoring for every consignment, tracking CO2e, NOx, SO2 and PM10 emissions. Chief Sustainability Officer Virginia Alzina attended COP27 to showcase decarbonisation roadmap.
• Allport Cargo ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration providing fast and easy access to China and Asia markets. Combined with Palletforce SuperHubs and ports to provide full logistical coverage of China from UK. Tomsetts was first Palletforce member to use this service.
• The Green Business TeamcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSustainability consultancy developing Tomsetts' net zero strategy including SBTi-aligned target and annual measurements of scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. Working together on roadmap to Net Zero by 2040.
• Electrofit Industrial SolutionsminorOthersSupplier of zero-emissions, fully electric forklift trucks. Tomsetts replaced entire diesel forklift fleet with electric models, saving estimated 24 tonnes CO2e per year.
• Fine MarketingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNewhaven-based marketing company that designed and built Tomsetts' new website. Focused on customer experience, responsive across devices, hosted on cloud infrastructure.
• Grain de SailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZero-emissions cargo sailboat operating Green Shipping Corridor between France (Le Tréport) and UK (Newhaven). Vessel can carry 66 pallets each way. First delivery received November 2024 via yacht Ortac.
• SHRUB (Sustainable Human Use of Resources Bikes)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEthical food business based in London that received first cargo delivery via zero-emissions sailboat. Part of Green Shipping Corridor initiative.
• Royal British LegionminorOthersTomsetts supports the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2025 with decorated lorry poppies. Company committed to honouring UK Armed Forces community.
• Kent Surrey & Sussex Air AmbulanceminorOthersCharity partnership with KSS liveried trailer showing support for the charity and essential work of aircrew. Operations Director and driver visited headquarters at Redhill.
• Clean Growth UKcoreTechnology or IntegrationUsing Clean Growth UK's SBTi-aligned carbon calculator to measure emissions and track progress towards net zero targets.
• Volvo TrucksminorOthersFleet upgrade with Volvo FH Globetrotter with I-Save for reduced fuel consumption and Volvo FE for urban deliveries. Long-term commitment to modern fleet for reliability and efficiency.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DX Freight: UK freight, parcel, and logistics services provider with next-day and timed delivery options. Comparable in offering pallet, parcel, and freight services to UK businesses.
• Palletways: UK and European pallet network operator with hub-and-spoke model serving similar SME and enterprise shippers. Directly competes with Tomsetts/Palletforce in TL pallet distribution across the UK and continental Europe.
• United Pallet Network (UPN): UK pallet network operator offering shared-user pallet distribution to similar enterprise and SME customer segments. Directly competes with Palletforce members for UK and European pallet volumes.
• Pall-Ex: UK and European pallet network with member depot model serving manufacturing, retail, and industrial shippers. Directly comparable pallet distribution offering to Tomsetts' core service.
• Palletline: UK pallet network with regional member depots providing next-day pallet delivery services. Competes head-to-head with Palletforce members like Tomsetts for time-sensitive UK pallet volumes.
• Tuffnells: UK parcel and pallet delivery specialist serving SME and enterprise shippers with next-day distribution services. Closely comparable offering to Tomsetts' UK pallet and parcel business.

Broad incumbents

• Wincanton: UK contract logistics specialist with own fleet, warehousing, and supply chain solutions. Larger and more diversified than Tomsetts, but directly comparable in UK road haulage and pallet services.
• XPO Logistics: Global logistics provider with significant UK road haulage and freight brokerage operations. Overlaps with Tomsetts' freight brokerage, road, sea, and air freight forwarding offering but at much larger scale.
• Culina Group: UK logistics provider with road transport, warehousing, and distribution services for retail and manufacturing customers. Operates at significantly larger scale than Tomsetts with comparable freight services.
• Eddie Stobart Logistics: Large UK and European road haulage and contract logistics provider with extensive own fleet and warehousing. Competes with Tomsetts in road freight but operates at much larger scale across multiple verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TomsettsDistributionLtd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tomsetts Distribution