Green and its go go GO for Oakland Irish hub

Southern Ireland transport operator, Brian Caffrey International Limited, and UK based multi temperature supply chain specialist, Oakland International Limited, have brokered a deal that will see Irish producers reap rewards of an extended Irish retailer and UK transport link to begin in Ashbourne, Co. Meath on Wednesday 27th May.

The new depot will operate from Brian Caffrey International's Ashbourne site, utilising their strategically located operation to deliver an extended multi-temperature supply chain transport solution, enabling Irish producers to create greater Irish retail links whilst delivering the option of new routes to export and distribute to UK retailers using Oakland International's established presence and successful consolidation schemes.

A leading national and European Irish transport distribution operator, Caffrey is located close to the port of Dublin and Dublin Airport. Dean Attwell managing director of Oakland International stated the move would create new jobs at the Ashbourne site: "There are significant opportunities within the Irish market to service retail with a lower cost, service driven, more reactive and flexible supply chain solution. The Irish operation is set to create 40 jobs over the next 18 months, which is great news for the local economy and we are confident that it will be attractive to many Irish producers wishing to distribute throughout Ireland and the UK.

"Core to our offer is assistance for those Irish producers wishing to deal with UK retailers and with whom Oakland is already a respected supply chain partner. Irish producers can deliver their stock to be held and managed at the Coolfore, Ashbourne hub and this can give them a single point of access to not only the local Irish retail and discount market but also to the whole of the UK retail marketplace. Also, key is the fact that a single, all-inclusive case rate can be offered to producers for most of the UK retailers serviced by Oakland."

In the planning stage for two years the Co. Meath depot will accommodate ambient, chilled and frozen product, and operationally will be based on Oakland's successful UK multi temperature and rework models.

Oakland International is an established and well respected UK supply chain specialistthat has over its 11 years of trading continued to enjoy successive annual growth.

Mark Caffrey, general manager of Brian Caffrey International and co director of the new Irish company said: “Brain Caffrey International place great emphasis on the provision of a quality service, with all vehicles well presented and fitted with tracking systems to enable customers to know where their products are at any given time. We provide a 24/7 transport service throughout Ireland, UK and Europe and are looking to extend our range of services to attract new business by providing a new transport link between Irish and UK producers to the Irish and UK retailers. We feel that by creating a link with such an established and respected UK based operation as Oakland International, who have vast experience in this sector, is a great step forward in opening new and extended opportunities to both producers and retailers.”

Mr. Attwell added: "We are delighted to make this announcement; two strong family firms who share ideals and hold the same customer service focus ethos of supporting and adapting to customers’ evolving business needs."