Lincolnshire-based Freshtime is a modern food business supplying chilled, value added, ready to eat salads, snacks, prepared vegetables and sandwich fillers to leading retailers and foodservice operators. Their aim is to set the standards for quality, service and taste that others will follow, and strive through modern equipment, ethical work practices and a commitment to reducing carbon, to be the type of business any major retailer would be proud to deal with.
The fast-moving chilled and ambient storage and production areas are testament to the intentional capabilities of today’s foodchain and the huge variety of foods now available in our high streets. Spanish broccoli and dutch eggs sit beside locally grown salads and more exotic ingredients from Africa, Central and Southern America.
Over 30 staff and agency operators are required to efficiently and carefully shift the produce to the picking and sorting areas, something which logistics and planning manager, Liam Blackamore, has at the forefront of his mind. “The equipment has to be reliable. It has to work, that’s a given.”
“Selecting a forklift provider, service is the number one and five years into our Windsor contract, we’d had no issues. To be fair, signing up for a second fleet was a no-brainer.” That new fleet of five electric and LPG Komatsus, and Doosan powered pallet trucks, is actually smaller than previously.
“The new Fronius charger, combined with the easy access side door on the Komatsus means we have a battery on charge, but not a spare truck stood idle. It’s very simple and helped save us a good deal of money.”
Blue reversing spotlights add safety for pedestrians whilst ergonomic controls means there’s no complaints from the operators.
“We’re delighted with the truck performance and the service. It’s made financial sense and is good for the environment, and our commitment to being carbon neutral.”
