Record high order book for CoolKit

Temperature controlled van specialist CoolKit is experiencing a record high number of orders for its award-winning conversions.

The bumper order book is indicative of growing confidence in the market and CoolKit CEO Rupert Gatty is confident about a buoyant future for manufacturing in the UK.

He said: “The SMMT last week released figures demonstrating the comeback of the new light commercial vehicle market, recording it’s second-best August on record, with a 21.1% increase in new registrations, compared to the pre-pandemic five-year average.

“We have witnessed this rise, having been inundated with new orders from a range of existing and new customers over the past few months and we are now recruiting for a number of key roles to fulfil orders through to 2022 and beyond.”

The business is seeking manufacturing/assembly operatives, van lining fitters and auto-electricians to join its team as soon as possible.

While celebrating his own order book buoyancy and the wider industry’s upturn, Rupert remains mindful of the frustrating backlog of van production levels - a direct impact of Covid-19. 

He said: “Registrations may be up, but the shortage of raw materials, coupled with semi-conductor supply issues continues to affect production volumes and has caused a backlog of delays on all makes and models of vehicles.

“Luckily we anticipated such issues and had the foresight to pre-order almost £3m of van stock. These vans are now filtering through to us, but getting any further new stock right now is proving a challenge for the whole sector.”

“As such, we are continually reminding customers that, if they are considering buying a new van, not to delay a moment longer. For sales orders taken today for new vans we’re anticipating fulfilment in Q1 of 2022. If they delay it will certainly be Q2 or beyond."

The vans CoolKit currently has available include Transits, Crafters, Vivaros, Relays and Sprinters, all of which are listed on its website with ETAs.

The business has also committed to orders of a number of electric vehicles, including the Maxus e Deliver 3, and the Vauxhall Vivaro-e, whose presence in the market is growing rapidly, due to the savings benefits they provide for operators in ULEZ and CAZ areas.

Anyone seeking a refrigerated van or van conversion soon is asked to contact the CoolKit team for expert advice.