Weekly news summary 9th January 2015

HEADLINES THIS WEEK:

– THOMAS RIDLEY FOODSERVICE MOVES CLOSER TO £70 MILLION TURNOVER TARGET
– ROCHESTER NEXT FOR HANCOCKS
– DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR BIDVEST 3663

EXPANSION FOR THOMAS RIDLEY

Thomas Ridley Foodservice has added around £2.5 million to its £45 million annual turnover by taking over the Elveden Food Hub business near Thetford, Norfolk. Within five years, the target is to reach £70 million.

The Bury St Edmunds member of Country Range Group describes itself as ‘a logistics expert, providing comprehensive and reliable distribution for customers with a service level second to none (measured cases ordered v cases delivered), running weekly at just shy of 100%’.

Thomas Ridley director Rachel Summers told Cash & Carry Management that the company would implement “the tried and tested Thomas Ridley Foodservice model to source, stock and distribute local and regional products”.

The takeover gives Thomas Ridley access to the Elveden and Tastes of Anglia distribution network, augmenting its existing one-stop shop for retailers, restaurants, garden centres, farm shops, delis and food halls throughout the east and south-east.

Said Summers: “We will manage the integration of the Elveden and Tastes of Anglia operation into our business and champion local and regional producers of food and drink. “We will also strengthen and broaden the fine food range, deliver efficiencies and ensure an increase in service levels.”

Elveden’s customers will also have access to the 10,000 products already stocked by Thomas Ridley, including ambient, fresh, chilled, frozen, fine food, professional hygiene and catering sundries.

Thomas Ridley Foodservice

Tel: Thomas Ridley & Son (01359) 270536

NEW KENT OUTLET OFFERS ‘GREAT POTENTIAL’ FOR HANCOCKS, CLAIMS CEO

Confectionery C&C operator Hancocks is moving to previously untapped territory in Rochester, Kent – its 21st branch.

Situated close to a Booker depot, the new outlet opens on 1 March on the Airport Industrial Estate, a mile from junction 3 of the M3.

A former Comet electrical store, the Hancocks depot will offer around 5,000 branded and own-label lines.

Hancocks Cash & Carry

Manager of the new branch is Chris Griffiths, who was previously in charge of Hancocks’ Liverpool C&C. He is planning a number of opening promotions.

Chief executive officer Mark Watson commented: “This is a great location for us and we cannot wait to open and get trading. Our research indicates great potential in this area of Kent. The M3 will ensure ease of access to the cash & carry.

“We expect to draw customers from the immediate towns in addition to many coastal areas further afield, where there is a great demand for a wide range of confectionery.”

Tel: Hancocks C&C (01509) 216644 

TWIN CONTRACT FOR BIDVEST 3663

Bidvest 3663 Bidvest 3663 this month undertakes a new contract to deliver branded and own-label food to two businesses operating within WSH (Westbury Street Holdings): Holroyd Howe and Baxter-Storey.

Holroyd Howe supplies outsourcing services to schools, while BaxterStorey offers a front-of-house package to such customers as ITV, Tottenham Hotspur FC and Sainsbury.

Tim Adams, Bidvest 3663’s director of customer development, said: “We have a flexible offer, making it easier for these companies to get the products and support they need.”

Tel: Bidvest 3663 (0370) 3663 000 

Published Date: January 9, 2015
Category: Wholesale Industry News