CoolKit records bumper year

By We Love Creative

14 Jan 2021

rupert.jpg

A leading manufacturer of temperature controlled transport solutions closed 2020 with a record high order book.

Despite feeling the initial impact of the pandemic, CoolKit in Burnley, Lancashire enjoyed a bumper year and expects sales to soar further still in 2021.

The company has recruited to deal with the surge in order intake and is well prepared to satisfy what is expected be the rebounding market of a post-pandemic era, hopefully as soon as March or April.

Rupert Gatty, CoolKit’s chief executive officer, said: “When I think back to the first national lockdown in March last year, there was widespread uncertainty; we were in uncharted waters and responding to ever-changing information.

“Orders were postponed and supply chains dried up, but we had a duty to convert vehicles essential to the safe delivery of pharmaceutical products and foodstuffs to frontline organisations across the UK and so we pressed on.” 

Such customers included FareShare, a national organisation delivering vital food supplies to frontline charities across the UK, providing a lifeline to those most at risk, including children and families and those who are sick and self-isolating.

As the first lockdown lifted and CoolKit acclimatised to working within tiered restrictions, business began to pick up further, its products proving especially popular among LCV rental companies and large fleet operators.

Rupert said: “These customers recognised the beneficial aspects of the products - which aim to optimise refrigerated fleet productivity whilst minimising total cost of ownership.

“In addition, customers were attracted by the comfort of CoolKit’s unrivalled production capacity, which is larger than that of any other refrigerated van converter in the UK.

“The company sustained output throughout the first lockdown and plans to do so throughout the latest lockdown.”

2020 also saw substantial investment in equipment and a number of new key appointments for the business, including new managerial positions in quality assurance, sales, aftersales, logistics and production planning roles. 

Rupert added: “Over and above that, there is more investment in R&D planned than ever before to deliver further innovations of the kind that have just won CoolKit the coveted What Van? 2021 Award for Innovation. 

“Key to the win was our ability to eliminate the traditional timber element of refrigerated vehicles from our regular conversions, which demonstrates both our commitment to reducing deforestation whilst simultaneously enhancing fleet productivity by reducing unladen vehicle mass.”

“We’re really proud of what we have achieved amid challenging times and look forward to a prosperous 2021 as we hopefully wave goodbye to the virus.”

Latest news

1

Eurofighter deals secure thousands of jobs Typhoon production in Samlesbury, Lancashire

Eurofighter deals secure thousands of jobs

24 Dec 2024

2

Rospen shares global reach and industry expertise with MP Grant McGeever and Sarah Smith MP

Rospen shares global reach and industry expertise with MP

23 Dec 2024

3

The Flow Group acquires Blackburn based Modern Bookbinders in strategic asset purchase The Flow Group's Richard, Mick and Helen

The Flow Group acquires Blackburn based Modern Bookbinders in strategic asset purchase

23 Dec 2024

4

fulfilmentcrowd reports record-breaking performance LeeThompsonfulfilmentcrowd

fulfilmentcrowd reports record-breaking performance

20 Dec 2024

5

Record year for Grant Thornton Northern deals team The team

Record year for Grant Thornton Northern deals team

20 Dec 2024

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:30 - 16:00

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up
Nov Preston Tech Connection event banner-4.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2025 - 15 Jan 2025

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

R.I.S.E. and Shine
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

R.I.S.E. and Shine

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

08:45 - 11:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
17 Jan 2025

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event

Lancastrian Suite, Town Hall, Chorley, PR7 1DP

08:30 - 10:30

Red Rose Awards 2025
Red Rose Awards 2025
Awards
13 Mar 2025

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV118 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin