Loading solution reduces delivery trips
Ice-cream and frozen food wholesaler Hunt’s Foodservice has been reaping the rewards of its recently installed Thorworld loading bay, which has proved pivotal in reducing delivery trips, fuel consumption and working man hours.
The company’s Cornish hub, situated in Redruth, has long been supplying retailers across Cornwall with a wide range of frozen consumables, despatched from Hunt’s headquarters in Dorset. To improve delivery function and streamline the overall logistics process, the company opted to have double-deck racks installed within the vans.
Operations manager Will Harvey said: “Double racking the vehicles was more conducive to delivering smaller pallet loads, however to effectively load and unload, you need a forklift, and for that, you ideally need a loading bay – which is why we contacted Thorworld.”
By creating a mobile working environment in which the forklift could operate – with adequate space to load, unload and manoeuvre, Thorworld Industries gave Hunt’s a bespoke piece of equipment, which combined both yard ramp and platform. As space was at a premium, Thorworld designed its loading bay for outdoor use and storage, and fitted it with integral dock lights.
“Since installation, we’ve saved a fortune in delivery costs, as our journeys take an average of three hours each way – for which we must pay labour and fuel,” Harvey said.
