CULINA FRESH OPENS NEW FACILITIES IN SPALDING AND HEATHROW Dedicated fresh produce and horticultural service offers wider choice for customers
Culina Fresh, the door-to-door freight management and multi-modal supply chain service for fresh and horticultural producers, has opened its first two dedicated UK facilities at Spalding and Heathrow. The company has also taken 50 per cent of the space on a dedicated rail-freight service carrying seasonal produce between Spain and the UK. The developments meet increased customer demand and follow the successful launch of the new Culina Group business in November 2011. 
The Spalding, Lincolnshire facility offers a temperature controlled consolidation service dedicated to fresh produce and horticultural products. The location was chosen because Spalding is one of the UK’s main growing and productions areas for fresh and horticultural. Shipments are delivered to retailers and wholesalers throughout the UK and Ireland using the company’s own temperature controlled fleet which is further enhanced utilising resources from the existing Culina Group network. To ensure a successful operation from day one, experienced drivers who have all previously worked in temperature controlled operations were recruited and are using the latest technology vehicles. Likewise supply chain management specialists with in-depth fresh produce and horticultural experience were recruited. As the first Culina Group depot in this part of the country it offers local customers access to the group’s complete range of warehousing, distribution and value-added services.
The new Heathrow site co-ordinates both worldwide door-to-door temperature controlled sea and air transportation and European road transportation for customers who need to move fresh produce, horticulture and other short shelf-life items. Now fully operational, this facility provides an interface for other Culina Group companies to enhance the services currently offered.
Another component of the multimodal business that is now fully operational is a rail freight service running between Valencia in Spain and Dagenham in the UK to import seasonal fresh produce items such as lettuce and citrus fruit. Culina Fresh utilises half of the space available on the train to complement the overall sustainability of the operation with the various partners.
Culina Fresh Limited is a door-to-door freight management service offering high quality multi-modal supply chain capability incorporating road, rail, sea and air transportation for fresh produce, horticulture and other temperature sensitive goods. It was established to meet demand from producers, importers and retailers for an integrated solution to manage the complete supply chain from source – whatever the country – to final delivery throughout the UK and Europe.
The shared user model employed by Culina Fresh, as with all Culina Group companies, offers customers a highly efficient and scalable solution to their warehouse and distribution needs with a range of value-added services from its own operations and the resources available within the wider group. The unique end-to-end operation has been designed to combine complete supply chain visibility and product traceability with value added services. Land based synergies enable the company to offer a highly flexible, adaptable and scaleable service that meets the specific requirements of individual customers.
About Culina Group
The Culina Group is focused on establishing a one-stop supply chain solution that can meet existing and future challenges faced by food, drink, horticultural, perishable and grocery manufacturers and the changing demands of the retail sector. This is achieved through Culina Group companies Culina Logistics Limited, Culina Fresh Limited, Culina IPS Contract Packing Limited and Culina Logistics Ireland. The Group has a forecast turnover in excess of £200m.
Culina Logistics Limited provides high-quality multi-temperature storage and distribution services for leading food and drink manufacturers in the UK and Ireland, employs around 2,300 people and operates a combined fleet of more than 1,000 trucks and trailers. The fleet covers more than 32 million miles annually, serving more than 120 premium brand customers and delivering 10,000-plus pallets every day.
Culina Fresh Limited is a new door-to-door global freight management service offering high quality multi-modal supply chain capability incorporating road, rail, sea and air transportation for fresh produce, horticulture and other perishable goods.
Culina Logistics Ireland is focused on becoming the leading provider of shared user multi-temperature logistics services to the grocery sector in Ireland, north and south. Culina Logistics Ireland is a joint venture between Culina Group Ltd and SHS Group Ltd, a market leading food and drink sales, marketing and brokerage specialist.
Company Information:
Debbi Hutt
Culina Logistics Limited
E: debbi.hutt@culinalogistics.co.uk
M: 07768 623 672
T: 01630 695336
Press Information:
Keith Wootton
Public Relations Consultant
M: 07778 315966
T: 01327 830675
