Erms UK’s father-and-son team of Ian Smith, managing director, and Martyn Smith, commercial manager, have announced their purchase of the former MBM site in Chatteris last week. The total project, including the purchase price, represents an investment of more than £3.5 million for the stonefruit, apple, citrus, grape and celery supplier.
“The deal has taken two months, although we have been giving the site consideration some six months prior to meaningful talks,” said Martyn Smith. “This highlights our continued commitment to our customers’ total requirements now and into the future. For our suppliers, it demonstrates our absolute confidence towards our supply base and the desire for them to succeed.”
He added that it also demonstrates a long-term commitment to the UK trade. “Our offer is to integrate totally our entire customer base, which in effect means we wish to lead, not follow.”
The acquisition involves 10 acres, featuring three buildings. One has a block of six cold stores with racking storage for 400 pallets each. The second has 26,000sqft of office packhouse and warehouse space designated and accredited for organic produce, with three 120-pallet space coldstores and two 60-pallet space high-humidity rooms. The third has a further
38,000sqft of office, packhouse and warehouse facilities, made up of five coldstores of 700-pallet space each.
Martyn Smith said that as well as the significance of the site’s location at Chatteris, the purchase offers Erms UK added capacity, variation and flexibility. “The site will allow us to personalise our customer base,” he said.
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