Haulage firm drives forward with Clydesdale Bank support

23 October 2015

Leading Norfolk-based refrigerated haulage firm 3 Distribution Ltd has announced a major upgrading of its fleet following agreement on a new funding package with Clydesdale Bank.

The company, which employs 35 staff at its headquarters in Kings Lynn, operates a 23-strong fleet of vehicles and specialises in transporting refrigerated and frozen foods.

Support from Clydesdale Bank’s Asset Finance team has enabled 3 Distribution to invest more than £600,000 in purchasing 12 new state-of-the-art Chereau temperature-controlled trailers.

The new trailers, which are fitted with separate compartments which allow food to be transported at different temperature levels, will deliver considerable improvements in efficiency and productivity including a lowering of fuel costs.

Seven of the new trailers have already been delivered and will be operational shortly with the remaining five due to be in service by the end of 2015.

Formed in 2007, 3 Distribution has since established itself as one of the region’s most successful haulage operators and is projecting turnover of £4 million for the current year. It has more than 60 customers including some of the sector’s leading companies such as Foodnet and Lakeside Food Group.

Patrick Finch, Director at 3 Distribution, said: “The new trailers will replace the existing ones which have been in use for a number of years. This is the right time for us to re-invest in the company – the new fleet of trailers will not only improve our efficiency and the quality of our service to existing customers but the flexibility they offer also opens up opportunities for targeting new business.

“We have worked closely with Clydesdale Bank for a number of years and the ongoing support they have provided in that time has been very valuable.

“The flexible nature of their approach means they are the ideal partner to assist us when we see an opportunity to improve the business.”

Richard Chapman, Head of Clydesdale Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre at Bury St Edmunds, said: “3 Distribution has earned a strong reputation across the sector for the consistency, reliability and high quality of its service to its customers despite the challenges which the haulage sector continues to face.

“Patrick and his management team have continued to deliver strong growth for the company and we look forward to supporting them further as they continue to take the business forward.”