London, UK: Fresh Ways which carries perishable goods throughout Europe, is using Oakland International’s distress load management service to reduce food waste in the supply chain.
Ivan Rigucci, insurance and legal manager, Fresh Ways, said: “The freshness and quality of our products must be maintained during transport and distribution. This commitment was put to the test last year when we faced a significant challenge along the Calais to Dover route when our appointed transporter alerted us to the presence of stowaways in the vehicle.
“At that moment, we took immediate action to implement the most appropriate measures to safeguard our customers’ goods, focusing on damage minimisation and risk prevention, with the aim of minimising potential losses due to total contamination and delayed damage management.”
“As always, Oakland International responded quickly and efficiently to our report, promptly directing us to the hub for goods inspection and thanks to their efforts we were able to minimise losses which otherwise would have been quite significant.”
Oakland International has an average recovery rate of 85% per load. The service ensures maximum stock is saved, while any ‘at risk’ stock is quarantined, before secure and sustainable disposal, with a certificate of destruction provided.
“Trusted by major insurers who can attend Oakland’s site, witness the entire process, and personally verify exact waste and consignment recovery levels, all conforming stock is topped, security taped and reloaded back onto the cleaned and sanitised vehicle for onward delivery to its original destination,” Okalnad says.
Stuart Pugh, distress load manager, Oakland International, said: “Fresh Ways have been in partnership with Oakland for some years and we hold a mutual respect. Should they experience a distress load we will always do our upmost to accommodate them as both companies are focused on minimising food wastage, redirecting suitable stock for alternative use and ensuring as much Fresh Ways stock remains within the food network.
“Working with likeminded customers such as Fresh Ways is a joy. They’ve invited me to visit their Milan site and we have plans for them to visit Oakland to see how our DLM operation works. No matter the challenge, be it food, non-food, temperature, collapsed pallets, clandestine infiltration, theft, or other contamination, we’re here to help!”
Nicola Sorace, chief executive, Fresh Ways, said: “Oakland has been at our beck and call for many years, and its service is impeccable, producing reports and certificates of disposal recognised by major insurers. Ease of communication and prompt responses have always been key for us.”
