Christian Salvesen - Chilled Airfreight Distribution Centre

Christian Salvesen's Perishables Handling Centre (PHC) is the largest chilled airfreight distribution centre in the UK. The centre is dedicated to helping customers reach their markets more speedily and keeping products fresher. Located at Heathrow and sponsored by BAWC, the PHC is the only major on-airport chilled handling consolidation facility in the UK.

PERISHABLE FOOD HANDLING

The PHC has 6,500m² of chilled storage and can produce eight million retail trays per year, a capacity of 140,000t of perishable cargo. Fresh produce is handled at the PHC on behalf of wholesalers, food manufacturers, importers and exporters without the chill chain being broken. The destination of these products is typically the shelves of large retailers where strawberries, raspberries, fine beans, corn, tomatoes and flowers are all regular shipments from around the world, destined for consumption.

CHILLED FOOD DISTRIBUTION

As soon as a chilled container bearing fresh produce arrives at Heathrow it is collected by one of the 14 refrigerated vehicles based at the Salvesen site, and transported directly to the perishable handling centre where it can be unloaded in temperature controlled surroundings.

FAST, CONTROLLED PERISHABLE CARGO TRANSFERRAL

Perishable cargo must be removed from the hold, and taken through the ambient elements of the ground handling process as quickly as possible. A dry ice mechanism in the containers helps to maintain the temperature while this is taking place, whilst in more exotic locations, where exterior temperatures are more extreme, special insulating blankets may also be used to stop heat ingression.

The PHC assists customers in reaching their markets within the smallest time frame and keeping products fresh. This objective is met by working closely with HM customs, and clearing all airfreight of perishable goods immediately on arrival at the airport. Produce can be cleared and in our warehouse within two hours of landing.

IMPORTED GOODS CLEARANCE AND BORDER INSPECTION

The PHC also acts as a full import agent, gaining clearance for goods and handling duty payments and also facilitates a border inspection post operation and transport service for products of animal origin in accordance with the Products of Animal Origin (import and export) regulations of 1996. These regulations apply to meat, fish, dairy and pharmaceuticals.

The PHC operation is highly efficient and reliable, providing a consistent service and excellent value; major retailers send their vehicles to the PHC daily, meaning that customers can benefit from shared deliveries and reduced costs. The PHC team is highly skilled and has many years of experience.

Our accreditations include being BRC accredited to grade A, ISO9001: 2000, and being part of the Soil Association global partnership.

TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED BUSINESS UNIT

Christian Salvesen's PHC is part of the wider Temperature Controlled Business Unit (TCBU), a market leader in frozen food logistics and provider of a range of pre-retail services in the chilled and ambient environment.

Specialising in managing supply chain operations for food manufacturers, importers and retailers, Christian Salvesen's TCBU uses both dedicated and shared-user solutions to provide flexibility and added value for customers. The TCBU combines the highest quality technologies and deep experience to develop innovative solutions that meet the individual specifications and requirements of our customers.