Cold Hands, Warm Heart

Today’s frozen food markets are increasingly fast-paced and competitive.

Consequently, companies selling into these markets need storage and distribution services that provide a clear competitive advantage, and that’s why an ever-growing number rely upon Cold Move.

With roots going back to the mid 1950s, Cold Move operates out of two state-of-the-art facilities in Oswestry, Shropshire, and Golborrne, near Warrington in Cheshire. In total, the company has storage space for 42,000 pallets, with all frozen goods under the control of a warehouse management system that utilises RF scanners. There is also a blast freezing capacity of up to 110 pallets per day at the Oswestry site.

Indeed, everyone within the Cold Move team is acutely aware of the properties of temperature sensitive food items and the need for speedy processing and correct handling from inbound deliveries and short-term to long-term storage. Every minute counts, with the company actively working with its customers in their supply chains in order to add value and take out cost. In fact, as a partner and not just a supplier, Cold Move becomes an integral part of a customer’s business and has the skills and resources to take over the running of on-site warehousing, introduce new technology, and manage both raw materials and finished foods storage and distribution.

This commitment to exceeding expectations is not just down to systems and procedures either; for although the people who work at the company might regularly have cold hands, they have warm hearts. As a family business Cold Move has always looked after its employees, providing them with not just a ‘job’ but very real career opportunities.

Throughout 2010-11, for instance, Cold Move re-asserted its efforts as regards its cultural values, with a strong emphasis on training. This is now paying rich dividends, not only for the company itself, but also for its customers, who are now enjoying an even more professional and cost-effective service. Cold Move believe that there is always room for improvement, not matter how good or successful you may be, and this is a philosophy that continues to drive the business forwards.

This was underlined in 2011 when Cold Move was re-accredited to BRC Global Storage & Distribution (Issue 2) – the highest level achievable.

Providing fully integrated warehouse and transport systems, Cold Move can offer customers a broad portfolio of services, from primary and secondary distribution through to retail consolidation (the company has an established network of consolidation customers delivering to major retailers).

To achieve consistent, high value services Cold Move has invested in 15 tractor units and 30 trailers, all late models and superbly equipped and maintained. It has also invested in facilities to undertake most forms of rework and co-packing, and offer this additional service to complement storage and thus take away any associated transport costs. The company is active on the import/export side too, carrying out a variety of tasks to accommodate its customers, from container stuffing and de-stuffing to pallet inversion and product re-labelling. In addition, Cold Move also offers an order management service and a pallet management service.

With over 50 years of experience in storage and distribution, Cold Move is today one of the most respected and sought after firms in the industry, offering a level of service that its founding father, Bill Woodward, would both recognise and applaud. For the original business, Woodwards Distributors (Selattyn) Limited, known throughout the frozen food industry as ‘Woodwards’, had a reputation for providing a high quality, cost-effective service tailored specifically to individual customer needs and requirements.

Bill Woodward remained at the helm until November 1996 when, upon deciding to enjoy a well-earned retirement, sold all of his shares in the company to his son Nigel.

And Nigel Woodward certainly had a lively start to his time as MD. Just nine months after taking charge ‘Woodwards’ wholesale operation was sold to retail giant Iceland, allowing the company to concentrate on its third party operations. And since ‘Woodwards’ was such a recognised and highly thought of name in the provision of wholesale frozen foods to the catering industry, as part of the deal Iceland understandably insisted on purchasing the rights to the name.

This, of course, created the need for a new corporate identity, hence Cold Move; a name that provides an immediate word picture of what the company is all about. At least it does to a degree: but what you also need to realise is that Cold Move takes great pride in its customer service and the level of value it offers, which has resulted in many long-term relationships and a growing number of new contracts being won through recommendation and word-of-mouth.

So whatever your current challenge in the realm of frozen foods, throughout both the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you should speak to Cold Move at your earliest convenience, where you’ll receive not only a warm welcome but genuinely cost-effective solutions. Simply call 01691 677422 to speak to their Business Development Manager, Alistair Mitchell. Alternatively, please visit www.coldmove.co for further information.