Food wholesaler targets growth from new base

A Midlands-based food wholesaler is laying the foundations for long-term expansion after relocating to a significantly larger, purpose-built facility.

Waterside Food Services has moved into a newly refurbished warehouse in Branston, near Burton-on-Trent, bringing its operations together just 15 miles from its three previous sites in Rugeley. 

Bosses say the new premises provide a central base to support the company’s ambition to scale up over the coming years.

They add the move is expected to support plans to grow turnover from £7 million to £10 million by 2027, with longer-term ambitions to reach £15 million.

Chris Morgan, managing director at Waterside, said: “This new site, cold store and warehouse is a game-changer for us. 

“It future proofs the business and streamlines our operations, making us more efficient.

“What it means is that we’ll be able to maintain and even exceed our excellent levels of customer service while increasing our workload and growing the business.

“Those service levels are key – we’ve always believed that customers are everything to us, not just a number – and the directors are focused on delivering controlled growth while not compromising on customer care.

“So, we’re all delighted with the new facility. It’s been a real team effort and I’m grateful to Melvin and his colleagues for delivering what we know will be a high performing pair of cold stores. 

“After all they did the installation of our previous cold store at the old site back in 1999, and that’s still working perfectly.”

The site features two large freezer and chiller units designed by Melvin Pratt from Leicester-based cold store specialist S Tysoe Installations, part of The P & M Group. 

The cold storage facilities, spanning 35,000sq ft, are more than three times the size of Waterside’s previous cold store capacity and include enhanced insulation to improve efficiency.

Melvin added: “Both The P & M Group and S Tysoe Installations are companies with a reputation for quality and expertise – we’re delighted to bring this to the benefit of the Morgan family and Waterside Food Services.

“I’ve been involved in the project from start to finish and it’s great to see it up and running. 

“The operatives are working in a brand-new facility, the executives are in new offices, and we’ll be here to support as required throughout the ongoing progress of the business.”

Founded in 2015, Waterside Food Services supplies around 300 catering and hospitality customers, including pubs, garden centres, sports venues and theme parks. 

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