Previously using only third party distributors, Rink Bakery decided to acquire its own freezer van to deliver more flexibility, as well as cost savings.
Bakery manager Justin Hardman says he approached CoolKit to see if it could design a box van to accommodate four pallets within a 3.5-tonne payload.
The result is based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Euro 6 chassis cab: the insulated box body caters for four pallets at a time, or 8,400 buns.
It is fitted with a Hubbard Zero road and single phase standby refrigeration unit, anti-slip floor, double rear doors and a fold-down rear step. The body is mounted to the chassis with an aluminium sub-frame, and the body features LED side and rear marker lights.
“We used to spend thousands a month on third party couriers. Now we spend less than a quarter of what we used to on some of the longer distance trips, so it’s paying for itself. We should have bought one years ago,” says Hardman.
“If someone rings up and asks for a delivery last minute, now we don’t have to worry about getting in touch with a third party. We have the flexibility to do what we want and deliver when we want.”