Autumn Newsletter 2024

Lets hear it for the drivers!

At Collins Seafoods, we are incredibly proud of our team of dedicated drivers. They work tirelessly to ensure that our customers receive their much-needed orders promptly and efficiently. Every day, they go above and beyond to maintain the high standard of service that our company is known for, playing a crucial role in keeping our operations running smoothly. Their day starts early each morning, as they head into our depot to pick and prepare orders. With precision and care, they select products directly from our freezer. Each order is double checked, ensuring the correct products are picked. Once all orders are picked, the next step is carefully loading their vans, making sure that everything is packed securely to maintain the quality and safety of our products during in transit. After the vans are loaded, our drivers hit the road to begin their delivery routes, bringing the finest Frozen at Sea fish directly to our customers. They operate from Monday to Friday, covering a large area that spans across the North East and Yorkshire, reaching customers far and wide. Their knowledge of the region ensures timely deliveries, even when navigating busy city streets or rural areas.

But our drivers do more than just deliver - they are an integral part of the customer experience. They are the face of Collins Seafoods, often being the only members of the Collins team that customers speak to face to face. Their extensive product knowledge means they are well-equipped to answer any questions our customers may have about our products. Whether it’s advising on the best way to store certain products or helping customers with specific delivery requirements, they are always ready to go the extra mile. Their friendly and professional approach ensures that customers feel valued and supported throughout the entire process. At Collins Seafoods, we understand that reliable delivery is crucial for our customers, and that’s why we have built a team that reflects our values of reliability, knowledge, and customer care. We are proud of our drivers and the exceptional service they provide, helping us maintain our reputation as a trusted seafood supplier in the region.

Company news

And the winner is…. Collins Seafoods!

Last week at the IVECO What Van Daily Mission Awards, Collins Seafoods scooped 2 Awards - the Delivery Award and Livery of the Year! Jill Saint, our Transport and Operations Manager, and Dawn Archbold, our Accounts Supervisor, attended the ceremony and accepted the awards on behalf of the company. We were nominated for the Delivery Award by North East Truck and Van, a company we have worked with for many years. Joe Puggmurr, our account manager, said “I personally credit our long-standing business relationship with Collins Seafoods to the reliable supply of Iveco Daily vehicles. These vehicles have proven to be essential in supporting Collins Seafoods' business operations by ensuring the timely and efficient transportation of frozen seafood products. This is aided massively by our collective, simple yet effective approach when it comes to ordering vehicles. Myself, my team, the Collins team, and the team at Solomons all know the process back to front so the process is as flawless as it can be. These relationships between our companies’ people tying together the process are the real credit behind our business’s supporting each other. “ The Livery of the Year Award was voted for on the night and is a testament to hard work that has gone in to creating the design that is displayed on all our vans. The decals were created and fitted by Christopher Gowling of Applied Design Graphics Ltd. So you can now be confident that when you order from Collins Seafoods, not only will you receive the finest fish the ocean has to offer, you can be sure to receive it in an award winning delivery van!

Guess who’s back!

Jonathan has decided to return to the world of Frozen at Sea fish! After recovering from a major operation, Jonathan is fighting fit, and coming back to the office 2 days a week from the end of October. We are so pleased Jonathan has made a speedy recovery, and can’t wait to welcome him back into the office.

Client Case Study – Chippy’s Mobile

We caught up with Steve Tipping at a local vintage engine rally, to find out a bit more about running a mobile chippy. Steve was a hard man to catch up with, as the van had a queue of people from the moment the gates opened, until past midnight, when the beer tent closed! As busy as he was, he was more than happy to speak to us and answer a few questions.

Why mobile Fish and Chips?

The world of fish and chips has been my domain for many years. Before I ventured into the mobile fish and chip business, I ran two traditional fish and chip shops, gaining invaluable experience in the industry. But as is often the case in life, a new opportunity arose that would change the direction of my career. A friend approached me with the idea of taking on a mobile fish and chip van. After some consideration, my partner Angela and I decided to give it a go—and it’s turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve made. Transitioning from bricks-and-mortar shops to a mobile business was both exciting and challenging, but the rewards have been well worth the effort.

Challenges of Running a Mobile Fish and Chip Van

Operating a mobile chippy is a whole different ball game compared to running a traditional shop. One of the main challenges we face is the unpredictability of the weather. When you're attending outdoor events or festivals, your business depends heavily on public attendance—and, unfortunately, you can't control the weather. If it’s a rainy day, foot traffic can drop significantly, and sales can be impacted. However, we’ve found a solid balance by maintaining a round of regular stops from Monday to Saturday. These regular customers give us a steady base, much like a traditional shop, and ensure that we always have a stream of business. That said, the variability of event-based trade is something we’ve had to adapt to.

What’s the Most Popular Dish?

Fish and chips, of course! It’s the quintessential dish that everyone loves, and it remains our top seller. But at events, where the atmosphere is a bit different, we’ve noticed that curry and chips have become a fan favourite, especially toward the end of the night when people are craving something hearty. It's a great addition to our menu and has proven to be quite popular at late-night functions.

Choosing the Right Suppliers: Quality Comes First

In the mobile fish and chip industry, the quality of your product depends on the quality of your suppliers. When choosing suppliers, I always prioritise quality above all else—while price is certainly important, it should never come at the expense of the product itself. Over the years, we’ve developed a great relationship with Collins Seafoods, and we’ve come to rely on them for their consistently high-quality fish. We also value their reliability—something that is crucial when you're in the mobile business, as we need to know that our suppliers will deliver on time, every time. Elaine from Collins Seafoods has been especially great to work with, and we trust them to provide top-notch products that we can rely on. Having a supplier you can count on is indispensable in this business.

Meet the Team

David Rhodes has been driving for Collins Seafoods for many years and is one of the companies longest serving members of staff. We caught up with David to ask him a few questions about his role with Collins Seafoods.

What does your role entail?

I get to work at 6.30am every morning. The first thing we do is collect our picking sheets for the days deliveries. We head into the freezer to pick the stock required. The load is then double checked before being loaded onto the van. Once loaded, I head out on the road to make my deliveries.

How long have you worked for Collins Seafoods?

I started working for Wraggs Seafoods in November 1995 and then continued for Collins Seafoods when they took over the company. In total, I have been driving for the company for 29 years.

What do you enjoy about your role?

I enjoy being out and about and meeting people. With all the lifting and carrying, it also keeps me fit!

Do you have any hobbies outside of work?

Yes, in my spare time I enjoy fishing and trials biking.