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Oakland a small cog in Chokolit mania

Worcestershire-based Oakland International will be distributing this year's 'must have' chocolate sensation, Chokolit, from their Redditch distribution centre. Multi-temperature supply chain specialist Oakland's MD Dean Attwell said: "Chokolit is a fantastic family business, run as it is by Louis and his parents Mary and Philip Barnett. "Phil contacted us following a chance conversation with my wife Sallie as they were looking to distribute Chokolit's product into Europe. We began by simply providing free distribution advice and it's grown from there." Chokolit is an exciting new chocolate company created by aspiring young chocolatier, 15 year old Louis Barnett. Orders rolled in for Chokolit's exceptional product, with an initial order from Waitrose, quickly followed by Sainsburys, both wanting to stock Chokolit's edible boxed chocolate creation. Said Dean: "With Oakland's specialist knowledge we are able to help and support all aspects of Chokolit's supply chain requirements, leaving them to do what they do best, Chokolit." Chokolit's creator, Louis Barnett, commented: "We feel very lucky to have the expertise and support of such a professional award winning company behind us. Not only are they helping us reach markets all over the UK but they will allow us to expand faster than we ever thought possible." Oakland will support Chokolit's seasonal distribution to Waitrose and Sainsburys with twenty new products due for launch this coming October. Said Dean: "Our team are very excited at the prospect of working with Chokolit. Being a small cog in this fantastic business success story is a tremendous privilege for the whole team." A fast growing organisation, Oakland continues to increase and develop products and services, many of which are developed in direct response to customer request. With suppliers struggling to find a cost effective route to Ireland, Oakland has now implemented dedicated routing to Ireland, operating four times a week. Additional services to mainstream chilled, ambient and frozen storage, consolidation and distribution include Oakland's innovative chilled and frozen parcel delivery service, the 'Nippy Box,' which has recently expanded into Europe. With distressed load management, extensive contract packing of food and consumer goods, ready meals, export product re-labelling, seasonal hamper packing and a dedicated facility to the tempering of product, all part of this growing and expanding operation, the integrity of Oakland's supply chain is crucial and all services are underpinned by Oakland's quality assurance BRC accreditation. Oakland International Limited Tel: 01527 596222 www.oakland-international.com