A new ripening centre in Bishop Stortford will help further streamline operations for banana importer SH Pratt Group, increasing capacity and driving efficiencies for the benefit of their customers across the UK.
The purpose-built 19,000 square foot ripening facility, in a prime location, close to the M11 and M25 motorways, became operational in March. Around 20,000 cases of bananas will be brought into the facility each week and ripened to meet customer specification with onward distribution to leading supermarket groups.
The Bishop Stortford centre will complement the operation at the Group’s headquarters in Luton, where more than 30 million bananas arrive each week for ripening, sorting and packing. The new operation will help facilitate the company’s ongoing expansion.
Ophelia Wells, General Manager of the new site, said: “We’re always looking at ways to optimise our supply chain that in turn benefit our customers, and the Bishop Stortford site, purpose-built as a fruit ripening centre, does that.
“We’ve got excellent access to major road links like the motorway network and, therefore, to our customers across the country and we are looking forward to seeing the benefits that this additional capability can bring to our operation.”
The centre is part of an ongoing focus on building an operation that meets the stringent conditions of ensuring the highest quality product for SH Pratt Group’s customers. Its distribution arm, Kinship Logistics, consists of a fleet of temperature-controlled lorries that not only transport SH Pratt Group’s fresh produce, but also enables the company to be more desirable to other businesses in need of refrigerated haulage. In addition, Kinetic Recruitment was founded to recruit drivers for the flourishing logistics operation.
At London Gateway, Britain’s fastest-growing port, the group’s Halo operation provides service provision solutions to the UK fresh produce marketplace.
SH Pratt Group can be contacted on 01582 436500 or visit the website www.shprattgroup.uk
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