Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire-based Buffaload Logistics has entered into a joint venture with Chiltern Cold Storage Group to open a new 22,000ft² chilled storage facility in Livingston, Scotland from mid-March.

Buffaload, which is primarily involved in retail consolidation and long-distance trunking work with double-deck reefer trailers, and Chiltern, whose activities centre around more localised distribution to retail outlets, have leased the facility for three years in order to offer small to medium food manufacturers the benefits of both types of service.

“By coming together we can go to customers that manufacture foods and want both a retail and food distribution solution,” said Buffaload sales director Graham Usher. “We believe we’ve got a good solution for customers in Scotland now to pick up one to four pallets, consolidate them, and bring them into England by double-deck trailer.”

Up to 30 vehicles will eventually be based at the depot, which joins three other Buffaload sites at Bristol, Wigan and Huntingdon and increases the firm’s overall pallet capacity by 30-40%, added Usher.