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STAY CHILLED
Page 43
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We speak to Paul. Cook of Chilledandfrozen.com Paul Cook Distribution, trading as Chilledandfrozen.com, is one of several firms run by Paul Cook. Since the others include an exotic-meat supply business (ostrich, anyone?) and corporate catering enterprises, he believes himself well placed to understand customer needs, particularly regarding food hygiene.
"There's no one better qualified than us, asserts Cook, who originally trained as a chef.
Cook uses a mixed fleet of a dozen Citroen and VW 3.5-tonne panel vans converted by Somers with on-board temperature readers and single-phase electrics, allowing them to be parked when loaded. He is not thrilled by the standard of backup offered by dealers "they talk the talk but are too busy to give the service" and keeps his vans for three to four years.
Although prepared to get behind the wheel himself, Cook employs a pool of part-time, semiretired drivers, including former HGV holders.
"The drivers we use are very customer-aware. Because we are called out at short notice, much of the work is for customers in trouble. We aim to make their situation better, not worse, and exceed their expectations. We often have to cover deliveries that have gone wrong for someone else which means handling already irate people diplomatically." Cook's explanation neatly summarises the company's ethos.
Chilledandfrozen works for a lot of large blue chip companies. "National distribution and food manufacturers," says Cook, reeling off some impressive (and confidential) blue chip names.
RDCs can be a problem because "they're inflexible, too many jobsworths" a potential difficulty made worse by loading bays designed for artics.
"We do a lot of empty running; a back load is a rare bonus," says Cook, who goes to Europe "if asked" but charges considerably more than groupage rates. "We will get you out of trouble', I tell prospective customers. 'I'm your best option, not your cheapest choice; you won't find anyone who'll work harder to make it right."
Cook's consignments vary from a single box to one tonne and include work for the pharmaceutical industry. -Anything from a single consignment to 25 multi-drops when a larger vehicle's fridge breaks down Of it goes overweight," he says.
The enterprise is expanding, Cook asserts, because of word of mouth and good service. Some new customers are referred by large temperaturecontrolled hauliers.