CoolKit chosen again by Total Foodservice Solutions

CoolKit’s expertise and ability to complete unique vehicle conversions is why a food wholesaler has returned with orders, year after year.

Total Foodservice Solutions first approached CoolKit to provide its specialist temperature-controlled vans five years ago and have since driven away 22 conversions.

The Clitheroe and Huddersfield-based wholesale catering business specifies a niche build which consists of lightweight multi-drop vehicles with multi-temperature compartments and superior twin-evaporator refrigeration unit – featuring one evaporator in the chiller compartment and one in the freezer – as well as a fixed bulkhead with a heavily insulated, lightweight side slab doors.

Total Foodservice Solutions needs its vehicles to always work to their full potential especially during the summer months and the exclusive specification ensures that their load quality is never compromised.

Another five conversions will be leaving CoolKIt’s factory over the next two months. Other key factors attracting the food wholesalers to CoolKit – are a better-built, lighter conversion in conjunction with the superior uptime commitment provided by way of CoolKit’s own team of mobile transport refrigeration engineers, should any in-service issues arise.

And after successfully trialling CoolKit’s CurtAir air curtain option, Total Foodservice Solutions now considers it a standard requirement.

The air curtain in CoolKit’s refrigerated vans offers significant benefits, including improved access for operators with unobstructed entry and exit, which is particularly useful during multi-drop deliveries. This feature saves time, reduces physical effort, and enhances health and safety by providing clear visibility, preventing accidents and injuries. Additionally, the air curtain effectively maintains internal temperature, preserving perishable goods and reducing strain on the refrigeration system, leading to lower energy consumption and costs. It also helps maintain hygiene by keeping out dust, dirt, and insects.

Mark Thornton, Total Foodservice Solutions transport and distribution manager, said: “The air curtain was a big decision as we had always relied on PVC strip curtains as temperature control is paramount, but our experience with the air curtain has been nothing but positive so we spec these on every vehicle now.”

Total Foodservice Solutions’ fleet consists of three 3.5 tonne gross weight Mercedes Sprinters in both medium- and long-wheelbase, and thirteen 5 tonne gross weight vans across both sites which are used for multi-drop deliveries to a wide variety of customers such as cafes, schools, care homes, as well as servicing contracts with two breweries – Thwaites and JW Lees.

Their CoolKit-converted vehicles can be seen all over the North West, Yorkshire Dales and West Yorkshire, as well as when servicing key accounts in the South West, the Solent and Wales.

Mark said: “I turned to CoolKit as I wasn’t happy with our bodybuilder at the time and CoolKit was making the headlines in the industry.

“I was invited to the factory by sales account manager Mark Beaton. During a tour the full build was explained and I was also informed about the materials used with weight and cost-saving ideas which have been incorporated in the builds.

“We placed our first order for delivery in 2019 and have continued ever since.

“The communication is top notch and our relationship with CoolKit has been an honest and transparent one from the beginning. I can call or email anytime and am kept up to date with builds and their progress.”

At the end of March Total Foodservice Solutions was taken over by Newcastle-based Kitwave Wholesale Group.