Three of the UK’s leading providers of temperature-controlled storage and distribution have become the latest businesses to join the Cold Chain Federation, reflecting the importance and value of the Federation’s work for its members in this time of significant change.
The Cold Chain Federation is the voice of the UK’s cold chain, representing the industry to Government and wider industry to ensure that challenges and opportunities for temperature-controlled storage and logistics are properly accounted for in policy, regulation and industry initiatives.
The Federation also provides practical advice, insight and support for its members on priority topics such as preparation for changes post-Brexit, health and safety in the workplace, improving energy efficiency, and now also support on navigating the impacts of Covid-19.
Cold Chain Federation Chief Executive Shane Brennan said: “When the Cold Chain Federation was launched as our new identity in June 2019, it marked a new direction and a renewed focus on providing services for our members which make a tangible difference right now but which also help shape a strong and resilient future for the cold chain. I am delighted that three such forward-thinking, growing cold chain businesses are the latest to join the hundreds of existing Cold Chain Federation members as together we tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities of our industry’s future.”
The three businesses to have newly joined the Cold Chain Federation are ACS&T Logistics, Kevin Hancock Ltd and Moran Logistics.
ACS&T Logistics, based in Grimsby and with sites in Scarborough, Tewkesbury and Wolverhampton, provides ambient, chilled and frozen warehousing and distribution, with services including production support, blast freezing and co-packing. In 2019, ACS&T Logistics not only committed to powering its 14 cold stores and two ambient warehouses solely through renewable energy sources, it also made a £1m investment in environmentally sustainable transport by replacing its existing fleet with ten new Scania R450 DC 13 Euro 6 tractor units.
Jon Stowe, ACS&T Managing Director, said: “As a British owned and operated business, ACS&T has always had a reputation for excellent service and reliability. Our ambition is to be the very best cold store operator in our market segment providing customers with forward thinking flexible, tailored solutions delivered with agility and innovation. To achieve this we want to be partnered with a trade organisation that displays the same characteristics, and provides a comprehensive platform for collaboration, best practice and education for its members. We are very pleased to have joined the Cold Chain Federation and look forward to active involvement for mutual benefit and growth.”
Moran Logistics specialises in providing chilled, ambient and frozen warehousing and distribution solutions, with services including direct to store delivery, final mile & trunking with real-time visibility of all vehicles and trailers, advanced warehouse picking solutions and reverse logistics. The family-run business, which was established in 2006, makes in excess of 16,000 deliveries per week and operates 250,000sq ft of warehouse space across the country. The business has AA BRC accredited facilities in Castle Donington, Leeds and Manchester, with additional transport operations spread across the UK.
Mark Burrell, Commercial Director at Moran Logistics, said: “Moran Logistics saw many great benefits in joining the CCF, but were particularly interested in the vital support that is delivered in driving climate change initiatives. We are well aware of the impact transport and warehouse operations have on the environment and this is a key focus area of the Moran Logistics leadership team; we have successfully implemented many positive changes to date but there is clearly more to do. Having the ability to explore new initiatives with like-minded business leaders will drive consistent and sustainable solutions for our industry.”
Kevin Hancock Ltd, based in Nottinghamshire, specialises in temperature controlled food services including cold storage, blast freezing, rapid up tempering, and distribution throughout the UK and worldwide.
All three businesses are existing signatories or applying to join the cold storage Climate Change Agreement, the industry-Government energy efficiency scheme which is managed by the Cold Chain Federation and saves its signatories across the cold chain more than £10m per year.
