About Barnstone Solutions Ltd
About Us
At Barnstone Solutions we provide practical Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain support to businesses that want to gain the benefit of senior level capability and expertise without the overhead of a permanent hire.
What We Do
We work directly with our customers, providing the expertise, structure and commercial rigour necessary to deliver sustainable value, improve reliability and help them to address...
- Rising input, logistics and transport costs
- Supplier performance and reliability issues
- Lack of visibility or control across the supply chain
- Too much (or too little) inventory tying up cash
- Scaling operations to align with changing demands
- Relocation, insourcing or outsourcing
Our Approach
We deliver value for money, no-nonsense, pragmatic solutions that are designed specifically to meet the particular needs and unique circumstances of our customers, whether that be in...
- Procurement strategy, sourcing & contract negotiation
- Logistics and distribution optimisation
- Supplier performance & 3PL management
- Inventory planning and operational efficiency
- Practical support during growth, change, or complexity
Our Team
Paul Barnard, Managing Consultant, has over 30 years’ experience in procurement, logistics, and supply chain leadership across food/FMCG and automotive. His background includes running national food distribution networks supplying major UK retailers, leading procurement and logistics at global automotive manufacturers, and delivering large-scale logistics programmes across Europe.
In support we have a network of associate consultants who offer:
- Expertise gained in senior leadership, commercial and operational roles across a wide range of industry sectors
- Proven track record of building, operating and optimised real supply chains — not just advising on them
- Experience spanning SMEs through to global manufacturers and logistics providers
- Pragmatic, collaborative, and outcomes-focused approach
- Flexible engagement without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire
What could we do for you?
Let’s Start with a Conversation
If you’ve got a supply chain challenge and would like to discuss how Barnstone Solutions could help, please contact Paul Barnard by email or phone using the contact details provided below.
No obligation. No sales pressure. Just an introductory chat!
Transit Equipment Review & Optimisation
Pallets | Totes | Stillages | Returnable Transit Packaging
Returnable transit equipment is often treated as an operational detail — until costs rise, assets go missing, and hire charges quietly accumulate.
Barnstone Solutions provides a structured review of transit equipment arrangements to help businesses regain control, reduce avoidable cost, and ensure the chosen model is fit for purpose.
Why Transit Equipment Matters
Pallets, totes, stillages and returnable packaging play a critical role in logistics performance, production continuity, and customer service.
However, because these assets are often managed day-to-day, the bigger picture is frequently overlooked. Over time this can result in:
- Increasing hire charges with limited visibility of why costs are rising
- Losses being accepted as “normal operational leakage”
- Excess assets sitting in the network, driving cost without adding value
- Disputes and inefficiencies between suppliers, sites, and customers
- Arrangements that have evolved over years without a structured review
Even small improvements can unlock meaningful savings
Common Challenges We Help Solve
We support businesses experiencing:
- Rising pallet hire costs
- High levels of loss, damage, or non-return
- Excess transit equipment holding and storage issues
- Lack of accountability across sites, customers, and logistics providers
- Supplier disputes or unclear commercial terms
- Complex or fragmented provider arrangements
- Uncertainty over whether to own, hire, pool, or outsource
Our Approach
We provide a practical, structured review that identifies where cost, risk, and inefficiency sit across your transit equipment process:
Commercial & Contract Review
- Contract terms and pricing structures
- Hire arrangements and rate models
- Responsibility for loss, damage, and repair
- Service expectations and supplier obligations
Operational Flow Review
- How equipment moves through the supply chain
- Dwell time and asset “traps” in the network
- Collection processes and returns management
- Control points and accountability gaps
Total Cost Assessment
- Hire costs and rate leakage
- Transport and handling costs
- Administrative overhead
- Loss, repair and replacement cost
- True cost per trip / per unit where applicable
What will we deliver?
- A clear view of current cost drivers and improvement opportunities
- Identification of process weaknesses leading to loss or excess asset holding
- Improved governance and accountability across the network
- Options analysis: own vs hire vs pooled vs hybrid models
- Clear recommendations on the most cost-effective next step
- Support to renegotiate supplier terms or prepare for tender if required