Dennis Distribution LLP, the Malton-based, family-owned temperature-controlled logistics business in North Yorkshire, has appointed Daniel Vasey as managing director, as reported by Yorkshire.com. He will focus on growing its UK and European customer base and improving operational efficiency in the next phase of the century-old business’s growth.

Dennis Distribution is a limited liability partnership registered in Malton, according to Endole, and run by the third generation of the Dennis family. It provides UK and European temperature-controlled transport for niche and complex food and pharmaceutical products, including chilled, frozen, bulk liquid and hanging meats, as stated by Security World Market. It employs 70 people and operates a 49-strong fleet.

The structural driver is fleet efficiency. A key priority for Vasey will be to optimise the company’s transport operations, making better use of the fleet, reducing operating costs and ensuring workloads deliver the best operational and commercial returns.

He will support senior partner Katie Dennis and commercial manager Andrew Revely to set a clear direction for the business, aligning day-to-day activity with its growth ambitions, with technology and the efficiencies it can deliver forming another important part of that approach. He will build relationships with new and existing customers in the food and dairy industries across the UK and Europe.

Vasey joins from Bowker Group, where he spent more than 19 years, most recently as general manager UK transport. His experience spans food and hazardous chemicals, and he has more than 25 years in logistics.

Vasey said, “I know how important it is to get the balance right between delivering an excellent service for customers and running an efficient, commercially successful operation. By working closely with the team, making the best use of our fleet and embracing technology where it can make a real difference, I want to help put Dennis Distribution in a strong position for sustainable growth.”

Katie Dennis said, “As a family business, we’re proud of the foundations we’ve built over the years, but we’re also ambitious about the future. Daniel brings a wealth of experience in the logistics industry, along with a strong understanding of how to run efficient, customer-focused transport operations.”

For the sector, the appointment shows a family-owned cold-chain haulier bringing in an experienced operator to improve fleet use and widen its customer base.