Wind power secures wholesaler's future

After consultation with the Carbon Trust, Devon food wholesaler Philip Dennis Foodservice has invested £1.2M in an on-site 80m-high, 800kW wind turbine, which will generate 100% of the Ilfracombe depot's electricity needs with spare capacity sold back to the National Grid. It will save almost 13.5t of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

The firm supplies the catering industry with frozen, chilled and ambient foodstuffs. With a turnover in excess of £30M and 180 staff, it is one of North Devon's largest private sector employers.

Company chairman John Dennis adds: "Our electricity costs rose by 63% between 2006 and 2009 from £105,000 to £170,000, at our Ilfracombe depot. These costs look set to spiral further in the coming decade, and the Carbon Trust recommended we look into renewables.

"We regard these initiatives as environmentally and socially responsible but driving overheads down is also key to generating future investment funds, creating more sustainable jobs, growing the business consistently and, as such, increasing our contribution to the local economy."

Contact: Philip Dennis Foodservice
www.philipdennis.co.uk