Bestway Wholesale is to start a new van sales operation following the collapse of Palmer & Harvey (P&H)’s Snacksdirect and Sweetdirect businesses.
The operation will service more than 20,000 retail customers using a fleet of 180 vans acquired from P&H’s administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers, which will call on retailers every two weeks.
The new division will be led by Noel Robinson, who previously headed up P&H’s van sales operation, with more ex-P&H staff expected to be employed as part of the new Bestway venture.
Martin Race, managing director of Bestway Wholesale, said: “We feel we will be able to drive operational efficiencies by running the van sales business out of our existing network of depots.
“Moreover, as many customers look for alternative sources of supply after the collapse of P&H, this move will reinforce our ability to offer further support and supply customers, continuing to demonstrate our commitment to the wholesale channel and to independent retailers.
“We feel the launch of this new service to customers will be a great fit for us in delivering our future growth plans and building on our already close relationships with customers.”
Bestway plans to have the van business operational from 22 January.
