When up and coming raw pet food company Raw Feeding Lancs decided to begin leasing a walk-in freezer to store stock recently, it didn’t expect to be upgrading to double the size within the first two months following a period of fast growth.

Currently in its third year of operations, Raw Feeding Lancs recognised the need for a cold storage facility and was introduced to Cold Store Rentals (CSR) by fellow pet food supplier Paleo Ridge, a current customer of CSR.

Upon enquiring about a solution, the team at CSR visited the site within two days and the new freezer was fitted within two weeks.

Managing director of Raw Feeding Lancs, Kieron Mayers, said: “Steve and his team were very efficient throughout the whole process. A bespoke, fully insulated unit was installed quickly and easily.”

The initial installation took place in late November 2016 and comprised a modular freezer unit measuring 2.4m x 2.4m, which was subsequently extended in January 2017 to its current size of 2.4m x 4.8m.

Director at Cold Store Rentals, Steve Prior, said: “Kieron’s needs were similar to those we regularly see in the industry, with strict temperature requirements and a need for a backup system in the unlikely event of breakdown.

Steve continued: “We are lucky to offer a service that puts us in the fantastic position of being able to support growing companies such as this one; this lease freezer has been the catalyst that enabled Raw Feeding Lancs to grow considerably in such a short amount of time.

“With the rental option, the cost is controllable and the upgrade wasn’t a problem. Neither needed a large initial outlay or soaked up important cash flow.”

Raw Feeding Lancs operates across the north of England, from Cheshire to Carlisle and down as far as Leeds and Wakefield, and receives most of its business through online orders.

Kieron added: “The freezer has upgraded our handling process so we have more room to package and store raw meat. We buy the meat wholesale which is delivered at a refrigerated temperature so we can package it. We then freeze it down to -20°C to be sold.

“Not tying up our cash in a freezer meant we could invest in stock, which is why we have seen such an increase in business, as we are so niche and there is a high demand for our product.

“The growth has allowed me to take on more staff and creating jobs is extremely rewarding for us. My next move will be to start running evening shifts to prepare orders for the next day – we’re filling up so fast, we’ll probably need to buy a third van shortly too.”

www.coldstorerentals.co.uk