NEW GIST EUROPEAN TRANSPORT OPERATION

Supply chain specialist Gists new European temperature-controlled transport network is already yielding results as it wins new business in Holland, which is rapidly emerging as Europes logistical hub for crop growers and importers.

Changes in the production and movement of fresh produce in Europe with Spain emerging as an increasingly important crop production region and Holland the key distribution area - mean that Gists recent acquisition of the Van Dongen network, combined with its existing cross channel operations, is ideally placed to cultivate budding opportunities.

In three separate contracts, totalling some 5.5m per annum, Gist will be working with a British distributor of exotic vegetables, and two Anglo-Dutch suppliers of fresh flowers to the UK.

In partnership with Exotic Farm Produce, which imports everything from asparagus to zucchini, Gist will be managing the movement of produce out of Amsterdams Schipol airport and over to the UK, from where it is distributed out to British supermarkets.

The Dutch flower business is blooming in the UK and Gists new contract with JZ International, part of The Dutch Flower Group, stems from this growth. Gist will be responsible for bringing cut flowers from Holland into Hull, and then onto major retailers, Morrisons and Aldi.

In a separate contract, Gist will also be working with Morrisons in the Netherlands, consolidating and transporting flowers to the supermarkets UK distribution network.

Commented Gists European Development Director, David Beecham: "These contracts underline the growing strength of our trading links between the UK and the Netherlands.

"For example, more than half the fresh flowers sold in the UK come from Dutch suppliers with two thirds of those being bought in supermarkets."

Beecham confirms that Gist will be recruiting employees in the UK and the Netherlands as a result of these business wins.