Having completed a major transition to a dedicated purpose-built hub in 2022, Oakland International’s accredited distress load management (DLM) service is continuing to enjoy increased demand with plans to expand the team over the coming year.

A service which has been running successfully for two-decades, Oakland International’s dedicated DLM service helps save unnecessary product from going to waste. A spoiled or distress load can be a costly problem for any business, no matter the type, food, non-food, or temperature of the distress load, from collapsed pallets, clandestine infiltration, temperature violation, theft, vermin or other contamination, distress loads are a frequent occurrence across all industries and cost a significant amount of time and money.

Working with local and global businesses of all sizes, Oakland’s soon to be launched real-time DLM App will help improve the efficiency of the service, speeding all processes up and providing swift customer report data.

Oakland International’s CEO of Contract Logistics Division Shaun Foley commented: “As a market leader in this field we value being highly regarded by industry, insurers, loss assessors, the FSA and by the local EHO.

“Our DLM service delivers huge reductions in written off stock, is sustainable, and helps prevent unnecessary waste. Non-conforming stock or stock which may be classed as ‘at risk’ is transferred to our anaerobic digestion waste management partner for secure destruction.”

Regularly onboarding clients and saving good food from going to waste, Oakland International processes and saves as much stock as possible at its central UK hub in Redditch, with an average recovery rate of 85% per load. Identifying the issue and deciding on the best course of action, Oakland’s DLM service ensures maximum stock is saved, whilst any ‘at risk’ stock is quarantined in line with their HACCP procedure, before secure and sustainable disposal, with a certificate of destruction provided for any stock not able to be saved.

Added Shaun: “Oakland International can offer a solution for any situation. Our expertise saves time, money, resources and maintains brand integrity so get in touch, we can help.”

BRCGS accredited, and an EHO approved solution for same day or next day treatment of distress loads, Oakland’s DLM service helps companies protect both brand integrity and quality. Trusted by major insurers who can attend Oakland’s site, witness the entire process, and personally verify exact waste and consignment recovery levels, all conforming stock is topped, security taped and reloaded back onto the cleaned and sanitised vehicle for onward delivery to its original destination.

The first DLM registered and UK recognised service provider to offer inspection and sortation of consignments where product safety was potentially challenged encompasses approved scientific methods for measuring surface contamination. Oakland International operates 24-hours/7 days a week and is a retail, food service and direct to consumer specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution and a brand development support provider for ambient, chilled and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK and Ireland. A double Queen’s Award for Enterprise recipient for International Trade and Sustainable Development and taken the first step in B Corp certification, Oakland is working to become the first business within their sector to achieve net-zero.