ConHexa, the first logistics operator in the port of Dunkirk, is proud to announce an expansion of the storage capacity of its Duncold division by 5,000 square meters, hence enabling additional storage and cross-dock operations for multi-temperature products.
Duncold, conveniently located in the harbour area of Dunkirk next to the Terminal of Flanders, the Ferry Terminal and the SIVEP (Vets facilities), and owned by the Conhexa family group, just invested two million euros in the complete renovation of a 5,000 square meter temperature-controlled warehouse that was abandoned after its former owner’s bankrupt. Duncold, under the trade name “Dunfresh”, is thus increasing its storage capacity for fresh products to 33,000 square meters and plans to hire around ten people. The company also owns a 20,000-pallet warehouse for frozen goods, under the trade name “Dunfrost”, making it the leading temperature-controlled (in both positive and negative temperatures) logistics company in the port of Dunkirk, with more than 150 employees.
An exceptional geographical location
Duncold’s history in Dunkirk began in 1993. The port was weakened after years marked by strikes. “The port reform” being just voted, a political will raised to get the place back on its feet with the search of a logistics company that would set up a cold store and allow Dunkirk to become a gateway for the import of fresh products. Conhexa was already running a warehousing company at the time in Steenvoorde, and decided to take a chance, convinced that the Port would recover quickly. Its exceptional geographical location gave great perspectives. It was a successful gamble: the small coldstore with a capacity of 4,000 pallets reached 7,000 pallets in 1995. In parallel, Duncold developed a storage activity for fresh products in 1996, thanks to the arrival of a weekly shipping line of containerised fresh products between the West Indies and Dunkirk, for the routing of the bananas production to the French territory and bordering European countries. Even today, bananas of West Indies represent a large part of the fresh products that Conhexa processes in its warehouse. History showed that they were right to believe in Dunkirk, which has since become the first port in France for receiving products requiring controlled temperatures. Besides, we now see the competition arriving, with two new logistics companies – one for fresh wares, the other for frozen goods – that have just set up in the area, revealing that the Port of Dunkirk still has a real potential for further development.
About
Family-owned company Conhexa offers a high-performing ‘total’ service in logistics, transportation and distribution thanks to its intelligent and innovative solutions for multimodal flows. Conhexa was established in 1975 by André Dejonghe, in Steenvoorde, along the A25 motorway, as a logistics site specialising in frozen products. Towards the end of the 1980s, Hilde Dejonghe and Luc Van Holzaet took over the company and developed it into a total service logistics partner at the centre of a European crossroad between Northern Europe, the British Isles and the south of the continent. For over 45 years, the Conhexa group has based its operations on human values, innovation, respect and customer satisfaction. Our experienced teams are ready to help you with innovative and sustainable solutions. Being both a 3PL and 4PL service provider, Conhexa is the only logistics partner you need. Your products are in good hands, right up until they reach your customers.
Published Date
September 30, 2020