3663 announces phase two of investment in new depots to support customer growth

Leading wholesale food distributor 3663 has announced the second stage of a multi-million pound infrastructure investment.

This investment is the second phase of an on-going process and includes bringing on stream four new depots as well as updating the company’s nationwide infrastructure, multi-temperature vehicle fleet and IT systems.

Money is also being spent on new technologies to improve customer service and efficiency to ensure 3663 is able to continue to expand in-line with growing customer demand.

3663 has already built a new 121,000 sq ft multi-temperature depot in Wakefield which has just opened and has recently received planning permission to develop a similar depot in Chepstow. Additional facilities are also planned for Hoddesdon, Herts and Bicester, Oxon.

Alex Fisher, managing director of 3663 said: “This investment is part of our strategy for growth based on continual improvement in customer service and the creation of a local and national depot network that is fit for the future.”

He added: “This announcement comes on top of £40 million of recent new account wins and additional category supply agreements with major regional and national customers including Subway, TGI, Rank Group and David Lloyd Leisure. We have also seen significant additional growth from the independent sector”.

“These customers’ choice of 3663 as their business partner is a vote of confidence in staff, service and product range as well as in our investment plan and organic growth strategy.”

The first phase of the company’s investment roll-out began in 2012 with extended service coverage following the acquisition of Scotland’s Forteith Foodservice in July and South Lincs Foodservice in October. During the same period 3663 also increased freezer capacity across its network by upgrading a number of existing depot facilities.

Phase Two of the company’s plans involve the addition of a number of new facilities, and the implementation of technology to improve efficiency such as integrated warehouse voice picking systems.

Mr Fisher added: “In terms of our new facilities, over the next nine months we have four new depots coming on stream which will improve our local depot network and give us significantly greater capacity to support the customer growth we are experiencing.

“We remain committed to operating from depots close to our customers as we believe this is key to ensuring the best service levels and flexibility whilst reducing food miles and supporting the local communities in which we operate.”