ND helps Ultra Ice keep its cool as demand hots up

Established in 1984, primarily to serve the airline and event catering sectors, Ultra Ice has grown to become a major provider of ice to the food, retail and airline industries, supplying both own-brand bagged ice and its own Shiver Ice brand.

Based close to Gatwick Airport, the company currently produces 60 tonnes of ice per day and is currently experiencing a 24% uplift in demand due to the World Cup and recent high temperatures.

To ensure that Ultra Ice is able to meet this demand and support the company’s continued growth, Norbert Dentressangle makes daily collections from Ultra Ice’s manufacturing facility and provides storage at its main networked temperature controlled distribution centre at Easton, Lincolnshire. Through its temperature controlled, shared-user network, Norbert Dentressangle is also responsible for delivering product into major retailers’ distribution networks.

In addition to the provision of a cost-effective, robust and highly flexible distribution platform, Norbert Dentressangle provides real time stock visibility, allowing Ultra Ice to accurately and reliably meet the needs of its major retail customers.

Ultra Ice Managing Director, Simon Minchin said: “Ice is the single fastest moving frozen food product and requires a responsive and reliable supply chain. As the recent hot weather has demonstrated, demand for ice is also highly seasonal and we must have sufficient stock to meet extreme peaks in demand.

“Working with Norbert Dentressangle gives us both of these things whilst allowing us to maintain a highly cost-effective and personal service to our customers.”