Culina is to open a 210,000 sq ft chilled distribution centre at Cabot Park in Bristol in the second quarter to replace it existing warehouse which is on an adjacent site.
It will effectively double the company’s storage capacity in the region and add around 10,000 chilled pallet locations to its UK chilled network.
The old and new sites will operate in tandem for a short period, to ensure a seamless transition. The new site will exclusively contain chilled storage but incorporates facilities for cross-docking ambient loads.
Culina expects around 20 major brands/contracts will be based at the site, once it is fully operational. Chief operating officer Steve Winwood said: “The business has matured and now is the right time for us to invest in this new development which will help us to offer customers an even bigger and better service.”
It is currently configuring the facility, which will incorporate 25 dock level loading doors and four level access doors to enable flexibility with high volume throughput, and 12m eave height to accommodate high density storage racking. Culina expects to create over 100 new jobs in the region to manage the enlarged round-the-clock operation.
