Case Studies

Get Real (Organic Foods) Ltd - case study

Well-known as an innovative leader in healthy organic food, Get Real Organic is an award winning bakery situated in Shropshire, developing and producing 'meat free' ready-meals and desserts low in fat, salt and free from additives and preservatives or any hydrogenated fat. Get Real contacted Oakland in their quest to source a chilled distribution solution for their organic product range, specifically their chilled quiche and Ambledown roasts.

Historically, Get Real was a supplier of frozen product, however securing a large chilled account meant the company needed to find a specialist chilled distribution partner. With a specification that didn't suit standard distribution costs on pallet quantities, it dictated a need for flexibility, a solution that would deliver and fit with Oakland's environmental and ethical policy.

Oakland MD, Dean Attwell, explains: "Reducing Oakland's overall impact on the environment is embedded within every process we undertake, whilst we provide our personal commitment to customer service, a top priority. Offering a number of options such as using our shared user pallet consolidation scheme not only means we save our customers money, it means we make it possible for smaller producers and manufacturers to get product on to the shelves of retailers and food service outlets such as Asda, Tesco, Waitrose and 3663."

Get Real Organic orders are received via EDI and processed using Oakland's Proteus warehouse management system (WMS) - delivering increased capacity together with clean, thorough and transparent order tracking. Orders are then collated for release to Oakland's warehouse unit, at which point each order is picked and consolidated on complete pallets ready for delivery. Get Real enjoys the benefit of Oakland's WMS through a number of bespoke reports, receiving account management on stock handling and expired stock. Automatic reports are produced and sent daily detailing stock, confirmed orders and expiration reports showing all stock past minimum shelf life.

Dai Williams, OD for Get Real Organic Foods, said: "One of the main issues for a small trading company in the chilled, short shelf life business is finding an efficient and cost effect route to market. Having identified Oakland as the right trading partner, success has allowed us to develop with Get Real Organic now servicing a number of food retail chains, with Oakland undertaking all our chilled business."

Utilising Oakland's consolidation schemes, Get Real not only secured a route to market; they reduced costs and their overall distribution operation impact on the environment, lowering the company's total carbon footprint. Get Real Organic products can be found in retail outlets including Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Tesco, Asda, and independent health food stores across the UK