A Lancashire-based, temperature-controlled van converter has announced further appointments as it aims to keep up with growing demands for its service.

CoolKit, which has sites in Burnley and Blackburn, said it is hoping to increase its staffing levels by 25% this year.
 
As part of the management restructure, new managers have been appointed to help oversee the business’s expansion.
 
Georgina Grice has been recruited as head of people; Mark Billows as health safety environmental and facilities manager; Stephen Bond as operations manager; and Susan Kenyon, as quality manager. 
 
Georgina said: “The thought of joining an ongoing success story at CoolKit was very appealing. It’s my intention to help further bring organisation, communication and a positive culture to promote wellbeing, equality and transparency within the business.”  

Mark added: “I saw joining CoolKit at this exciting stage in its development as a great opportunity to make a difference while having a willingness to learn new skills to help the business move forward.” 

Last year, founder Rupert Gatty became chief executive; finance director Daniel Miller was appointed managing director; Mike Scappaticci as sales director; and Joe Gleave as operations director. Long-serving Gill Hayes remained HR and finance manager. 
 
A high street supermarket chain has agreed a deal for 200 van conversions while another major contract hire and leasing company is looking for up to 100 electric temperature-controlled vehicles. 
 
Last July, when CoolKit suffered a disastrous fire at its main manufacturing unit in Burnley it employed around 100. 

A master recovery plan has seen it moving to much larger premises in Blackburn while still retaining some production at a second unit in Burnley - 125 employees are now on the books plus 10 agency workers. 
 
Managing director Daniel Miller said: “Our new premises give us so much more potential for growing the business. We are not a small business anymore and we need specialist people in specialist positions who are focused entirely on their aspect of the operation. 
 
“I want us to be more visible to customers and I want us somehow to be generating inquiries as the outcome of that visibility. We are the UK’s leading temperature-controlled van converters and I want us to increasingly build on that.”