Snow Plough at the Ready as Forecasters Predict Wintery Weather Ahead

Specialist Midlands based distributor, Oakland International, is on high alert and ready for all weathers as forecasters warn of the arrival of wintery weather over the next week. With retailers needing to react quickly to consumer demands and essential that the UK’s fast moving food supply chain keeps shelves stocked, Oakland International ready and waiting for all conditions, arctic or otherwise, with investment in a specialist gritter, a 4 x 4 all terrain vehicle and even a snow plough; the aim being to keep their Redditch depot and any adjoining roads open and clear throughout the winter months. Oakland International Managing Director, Dean Attwell, stated: “Many of our staff either walk or cycle to work or use public transport, and staff with cars in recent years found it extremely challenging as although major roads were clear, roads off the main routes still presented a challenge. “Two years ago the heavy ice and snow brought wide spread disruption to many businesses across the country and caused great concern to us here at Redditch, not only for our staffs’ personal safety travelling to and from work, but also for our logistics partners who still needed to collect and deliver product to our depot, so we decided to think like the Scandinavians, refining and enhancing our bad weather planning and response strategy, with what we now call the Oakland Snow Patrol.” As well as delivering into major UK and Irish retailers, Oakland International in addition handles food produce destined for wholesale, cash ‘n’ carries, foodservice outlets across the UK. Investment in bad weather gritting and snow clearing equipment was a major investment, but one which has already been put to the test and will again prove pivotal in keeping shops stocked and shoppers happy this winter. Said Dean: “By creating a formal staff collection strategy, we plan to do our very best to ensure everyone arrives and returns home safely, and that we ensure that we can continue to get food into the shops despite anything Mother Nature may come up with.” <Ends> Image details: Ready for winter, the Oakland Snow Patrol! Editor’s notes: Founded in 1998, Oakland International is an * award winning family owned multi temperature distribution and contracting packing specialist, operating both UK and Ireland depots, for food and consumer goods using ambient, chilled and frozen transportation into major UK and Irish retail, wholesale, discount and convenience markets. Key industry associations include; British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF), Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD), Road Hauliers Association (RHA), Food Storage and Distribution Federation (FSDF), Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and a member of the Chamber of Commerce for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association (BCMPA) and accredited by the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Company details:       Oakland International Limited UK: +44 (0) 1527 596 222 e: sales@oakland-international.com  www.oakland-international.com twitter: @OaklandIntUK   For all Oakland International press and media enquiries, in the first instance please contact: Kathryn Watts m: 07970 547469 e: k.watts@evopr.com   *Latest Awards include 2012 joint winners with SPAR UK of the Environmental Contribution Award at the European Supply Chain Excellence Awards in the category of Contribution to Environmental Improvement: Climate Change and finalists in the Ian MacLaurin Award for Supply Chain Excellence Award, in the 2012 IGD food industry awards