JS Davidson earns prestigious AA+ grade from BRCGS

JS Davidson has this year been awarded with a AA+ grade for storage and distribution from BRCGS following a recent unannounced audit,.

The temperature-controlled solutions specialist, which has invested heavily into its operations in the past couple of years, has achieved an AA+ BRCGS rating until February 2025, with its AA+ accreditation acting as its crowning grade to date.

JS Davidson, which was formerly named Chiltern Cold Storage Group prior to its rebrand earlier this November 2022, was one of the first temperature controlled logistics companies to be awarded BRC global standard for storage & distribution in the UK.

Designed for logistics operators dealing with food, packaging and consumer products, BRCGS’ Storage and Distribution Standard aims to reflect best practice as well as facilitate a process of well-designed risk-based product safety management systems. It also ensures that the quality and safety of food products remains optimal during both storage and distribution process.

While AA is the highest grade to be achieved from a BRCGS audit, companies that participate in an unannounced visit will receive a + after their grade as they are electing to be challenged at a higher level.

The BRCGS, which was rebranded from the British Retail Consortium in 2019, sets international standards for food safety and serves as evidence that organisations can adhere to regulatory mandates for the safe storage and distribution of food products. They prevent cross-contamination between food items and ensure the protection of the end consumer.

The coveted AA+ grade comes at a time where the business has invested heavily into enhancing its operations over the past 18 months, having pumped a seven-figure sum into a suite of improvements such as a new compressor, air-cooled cooling tower, a new warehouse management system, and electrical installation upgrades.

Following several high-profile contract wins, it has also welcomed David Davidson, son of managing director John Davidson, who was recently appointed as the company’s new operations director to oversee the day-to-day operations at the fast-expanding business.

John Davidson, managing director at JS Davidson noted to not only renew but beat last year’s BCRSG grade demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that products are handled both safely and compliantly.

“With the supply chain becoming increasingly scrutinised, as well as customer expectation increasing, the importance of the BRCSG accreditation to the business is huge,” Davidson said. “Having been one of the first temperature-controlled operator to be awarded the accreditation back in 2006, it is one which has underpinned our ability to retain and attract high-profile brands to our ever-growing customer portfolio.

“At JS Davidson we endeavour to ensure that excellence becomes second nature, and not just a process. This is why we value the BRCGS standard so highly as it very much reflects our core mission of doing things in the right way and paints a strong picture of the excellent work that we do here on a daily basis.”

He continued: “Having recently undergone a company-wide rebrand as well as recently completing a major capex investment into the business, the AA+ grade is yet another milestone that the company has achieved this year, and we couldn’t be more delighted.”

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