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

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin