Against tremendous competition, Carrier Transicold UK have won an order from ASDA Wal-Mart for 175 Vector Multi Temperature systems with a value of more than $4M. All the systems are also covered by a five-year service contract.

ASDA is currently the UK’s second largest supermarket chains, the fastest growing with in excess of 250 stores and 19 depots across the country and employment of 122,000. In June 1999 ASDA became part of the U.S. giant Wal-Mart organization.

Before the Wal-Mart acquisition CTUK had historically enjoyed a long and successful relationship with ASDA having supplied more than 550 systems, representing 95 percent of the ASDA fleet. However, this was the first significant tender since the Wal-Mart acquisition and Carrier found themselves under significantly increased pressure from rival Thermo King, due to Thermo King’s strong, existing relationship with Wal-Mart in North America.

Unwilling to accept Wal-Mart’s preference, the CTUK team dug in and convinced ASDA to consider Vector’s performance as part of an intensive set of fuel consumption trials. The independent and highly regarded Cambridge Refrigeration Technology carried out the tests.

This is a tremendous victory for Carrier and a testament to the determination and combined efforts of the entire Sales & Aftersales teams. Whilst the fuel tests alone were not enough to win Carrier the business, Vector’s track record within the marketplace and our continued focus on customer satisfaction in the UK had no doubt helped tip the balance.

ASDA will begin taking delivery of the units manufactured in the Carrier Transicold plant in Rouen, France, in September