A NEW storage facility at the London Gateway Logistics Park is now operational as a result of a £20 million deal struck between DP World and Kent Foods, one of Europe's leading suppliers of foodstuffs.

Under the 10-year lease agreement, Kent Foods – a part of The Albex Group –occupies a 150,000 sq. ft warehouse to store food products arriving at London Gateway's state-of-the-art container port before being distributed throughout the UK by rail and road.

Construction of the building was completed last year, and temperature-controlled freezer units have now been installed to accommodate a wide array of goods, including chocolate, sugar and cooking oils.

Alan Holland, Chief Executive Officer of London Gateway Logistics Park, said: "We are delighted to welcome Kent Foods as our newest customer to London Gateway Logistics Park, marking yet another key growth milestone for our operations and for DP World in the UK.

"Kent Foods will be able to leverage the full financial benefits of Thames Freeport and London Gateway's rail terminal and extensive road links. We are going from strength to strength as customers continue to choose DP World and our well-connected site on the Thames Estuary as the best place to support their supply chain journeys and UK-wide commercial operations."

Maciej Szczygiel, Managing Director for the South East Region at Albex Logistics, said: "Kent Foods are excited to take entry into their new logistics centre at London Gateway Logistics Park, which will be managed for them by fellow Albex Group member, Albex Logistics South East.

"The industry-leading facilities at this port-centric location will enable Kent Foods to further improve their service to UK food manufacturers by reducing port-to-production timelines for imported raw materials and speeding up the export of finished foodstuffs around the globe."