3663 has been busy preparing for the opening of its latest purpose built depot at Paddock Wood, Kent. The new multi-temperature depot, which provides 120,000 sq ft of warehousing, has replaced three existing depots and is expected to service about 10,000 customers. Staff and customers from Sevenoaks moved in August, while the Southern Regional Distribution Centre is expected to close in September and Edenbridge to move in October.

The new site will operate 110 vehicles and employ 350 staff. 3663 have stated that the new depot will give it greater capacity in the south east and make its supply chain more efficient. The depots to be shut are not multi-temperature and by moving their stock to a combined site, they can dispatch goods in one multi-temperature lorry, taking vehicles off the road. 3663 has massively restructured its supply chain over the past 18 months, having shut seven other depots without multi-temperature capacity.

This completes phase one of the restructuring plan. Phase two will see multi-temperature depots in south Wales and the Midlands added and the possible closure of nearby sites without multi-temperature storage. In line with 3663's ‘green' track record, the new depot is environmentally friendly, with rainwater harvesting, solar panels and low energy lighting.

In the mean time, 3663 owner, Bidvest, has bought Czech ice cream maker Nowako and Polish foodservice group Farutex, adding £300m to its turnover. Nowaco is a delivered wholesaler to the foodservice and independent retail markets and Farutex is a national multi-temperature foodservice distributor. Fred Barnes, chief executive of Bidvest Europe and 3663 said, "The acquisition provides Bidvest Europe with the platform to develop and grow interests further in Europe....They service 42,000 delivery addresses and this provides us with the necessary springboard to extend our reach beyond the UK, Belgium and Netherlands to Central and Eastern Europe."

Congratulations to 3663 on being the winners of the newly created category ‘The Urban Delivery Operation of the Year', announced at the 2009 Motor Transport Awards in July. 3663 carried off this accolade against opposition from Argos, DHL, C Butt and the Indesit Company.

Entrants were required to demonstrate evidence of maximising efficiency, lowering environmental impact, improving customer satisfaction and addressing the unique challenges the urban delivery brings. Further congratulations are extended for being named the ‘Green Wholesaler of the Year' at the Grocer Gold Awards. The award is provided for the company who has done the most in the past year to lessen their impact on the environment.