Pictured above: David Grocott, Grocontinental's Joint Managing Director 

Construction of a new £2¼ million 40,000 sq ft warehouse has commenced at Grocontinental's headquarters in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

The warehouse will accommodate 8,000 pallets of dry goods and will be used by existing Grocontinental customers and to attract new business to the company. Construction work is due to be completed in May.

Grocontinental has forged ahead with a positive investment strategy during the economic downturn which has resulted in increased warehouse capacity, a new fleet of vehicles and the introduction of a fully-integrated warehouse IT management system. 

Over the last two years, company turnover increased from £21.9 million in 2008 to £25 million in 2010. The company employs 300 people and the new warehouse will create a handful of local jobs.

Commenting on the new facilities, Joint Managing Director David Grocott said:

'By investing carefully but boldly in new construction, our fleet and software innovation, and by providing our customers with tailor-made solutions, we have been able to remain very competitive in our industry.

'We are now reaping the benefits of our positive long-term investment strategy.

'Demands from the food industry are increasingly rigorous. We have seen an increasing trend towards customers keeping their stock inventories down which has meant we have had to respond accordingly by ensuring fast next-day turn-around of stock and 100% flexibility.'

This year Grocontinental is celebrating its 70th anniversary. The company was launched as a cattle transport business in 1941 in Prees by Nellie Grocott, mother of current Chairman Ray Grocott.