With sustainability being top of the agenda, Oakland International’s distribution business doubled in 2021 with further investment planned in sustainable technologies and electric vehicles over the coming 12-months set to bring their fleet to over 100 prime movers.

The total supply chain solutions specialist launched Oakland Distribution in 2020 in response to customer need for supply chain resilience and control at a time when the market was quite tumultuous.

Further Investment plans in electric and sustainable technologies include Ecodrive, Multi-compartment trailers with tail lifts fitted to a number of these and satellite controlled with monitored temperature recordings, all of which form part of Oakland’s focus and drive towards carbon neutrality, with the new fridge units amongst the most efficient in the market. They have also purchased a further 25 trailers from Gray & Adams and invested in 20 new Renault T480 tractor units.

Oakland International Distribution Director Martin Pearson commented: “We have all faced significant changes and challenges due to Covid, but with challenge and change also comes opportunity.

“Last year we opened our transport facility in Bardon which enhanced existing capabilities, and together with further fleet investment, it meant we were able to develop our distribution competences to provide an excellent end-to-end service for our customers throughout the UK.”

Oakland’s temperature-controlled trailers also include the latest carrier vector HE19 multi-temp refrigeration unit, which offers greater fuel efficiency and longer service intervals. Electric trailer trials in August with Gray & Adams and carrier Transicold went exceptionally well, with the technology proving itself the way forward, and in line with Oakland’s carbon reduction goals, which will eventually remove their reliance on diesel.

Through sustained investment Oakland has enjoyed substantial business growth to the point that Oakland Distribution is today a market-leader in its sector, and all achieved in less than two-years.

To promote awareness and to encourage other businesses to not only think sustainably, but to think ethically, their newest addition to the liveried fleet includes trailers branded with Molly Olly’s Wishes, a charity which supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

BRCGS AA rated, Oakland International operates 24-hours/7 days a week and is a D2C/B2C/B2B 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, Ireland and via their partner in Spain.