CoolKit, the UK’s largest specialist in temperature-controlled and refrigerated light commercial vehicles (LCVs), is working with Fresh Union, a New Covent Garden Market trader supplying premium produce to restaurants, hotels and fine dining establishments across Greater London and the Home Counties. The partnership supports Fresh Union’s requirement for reliable, door-to-door temperature control and dependable fleet delivery as the business continues to grow.

The Challenge

Fresh Union supplies fruit, vegetables, salads, dairy, bakery and dried goods, operating from a fully temperature-controlled warehouse with a fleet designed to maintain the cold chain from dispatch to delivery. Serving busy urban routes with multiple daily drops, the business requires vehicles that combine high payload capacity, ease of access and consistent on-time availability.

As the Fresh Union brand has developed, so too has its distinctive fleet that now includes a van complete with a bright pink livery which the company plans to expand further alongside its operations. However, previous experiences with vehicle suppliers had included delivery delays, creating uncertainty around planning and expansion.

Robert Murchison, Co-Founder of Fresh Union, explains: “In the past we’ve purchased vehicles from other suppliers and there have been delays.

“When CoolKit says it is going to deliver, it actually does. It means we don’t have to worry when it comes to our planning.”

CoolKit’s Solution

Fresh Union turned to CoolKit two years ago, drawn by its reputation for high-quality vehicle builds, reliability and the ability to respond quickly to changing demand.

To date, CoolKit has supplied three bespoke refrigerated box body vans, designed specifically for urban, multi-drop delivery operations, with two additional vehicles currently on order

The lightweight, high-payload vehicles feature both side and rear access doors to improve efficiency in tight city centre locations. CoolKit has also incorporated added safety measures, including rear-facing cameras, to support drivers operating on busy urban routes and to assist with incident management and insurance claims.

Looking ahead, CoolKit is currently working with Fresh Union on a series of new custom-built vehicles to support the company’s 2026 expansion plans. These will include freezer compartments, enabling Fresh Union to extend its offering to frozen fish while maintaining strict cold-chain integrity. CoolKit worked closely with the business to assess options and develop a specification aligned with its operational requirements.

Robert adds: “The load space of CoolKit’s vans is good, and we are very pleased with the design. They’re well-built and well thought out and are exactly what we require.”

The Impact

The partnership has delivered confidence and continuity for Fresh Union, enabling the business to plan fleet growth with certainty and respond quickly to new opportunities.

Reflecting on the wider collaboration, Robert highlights the value of CoolKit’s technical input and responsiveness: “CoolKit’s expertise has also been invaluable. We were given a number of options when it came to adding a freezer compartment to the vehicles and CoolKit put together a design spec that meets our needs in ensuring the cold chain is kept in place. They are always very responsive to our needs.”

With further vehicles scheduled for delivery and expansion plans underway, Fresh Union continues to rely on CoolKit as a long-term partner, supporting fleet reliability, safety and operational growth in demanding urban delivery environments.