Chris Pryke, Kukla UK Operations Director, has decades of hands-on experience in keeping wines safe from vineyard to warehouse, even when the weather is extreme. In busy summer and winter seasons, transporting high-value beverages without compromising quality demands more than just the right truck. It takes careful planning, trusted partnerships, and an understanding of each customer’s priorities.
We asked Chris to share how Kukla ensures customers’ products arrive in perfect condition and how we stand out from the competition.
Kukla News: How much advance notice do clients need to give if they want an order moved via temperature-controlled service?
Chris: Generally, 48–72 hours’ notice is enough for us to secure the right equipment, depending on the country of origin. What sets Kukla apart is that we keep strong relationships with multiple specialist carriers across Europe, which means we’re often able to arrange transport faster than average. Even during peak demand, our operations team tracks capacity daily so we can step in quickly and avoid costly delays for our clients.
Kukla adds real value in our ability to offer temperature-controlled groupage from most of Europe, which many competitors can’t do on a regular basis.
Is temperature-controlled equipment easier to secure for full-load orders compared with groupage?
Yes, full-load bookings are usually simpler to arrange because we can dedicate an entire vehicle to a single customer’s cargo. However, where Kukla adds real value is in our ability to offer temperature-controlled groupage from most of Europe, which many competitors can’t do on a regular basis. By combining smaller consignments from multiple clients, we give customers access to premium temperature protection without the cost of hiring a full truck.
Customers benefit from shorter lead times and the confidence that their wine is protected throughout the journey.
We’ve covered European groupage options in Kukla News before. Has demand grown in recent years?
Definitely. Our customer base has grown steadily, and with that, demand for both full-load and groupage temperature-controlled services has increased. We’ve invested in expanding our groupage schedules and network of partner depots, meaning we can offer more frequent departures and better coverage than before. Customers benefit from shorter lead times and the confidence that their wine is protected throughout the journey.
Flexibility allows us to tailor the solution to each shipment’s needs, balancing cost, speed, and protection.
When groupage refrigerated services are required, do you manage them with direct collections region-by-region, or by consolidating at partner depots in cool storage areas?
We use a combination of both, depending on what’s most efficient for the shipment. Sometimes we’ll collect directly from the supplier, particularly for high-value or sensitive cargo, to minimise handling. Other times, we’ll consolidate at our partner depots, which have dedicated cool storage areas to maintain stable conditions before loading. This flexibility allows us to tailor the solution to each shipment’s needs, balancing cost, speed, and protection.
Since demand for temperature-controlled groupage can spike suddenly—often with changes in weather—should customers allow extra lead time to secure equipment?
Yes, extra notice is always helpful. But because we monitor weather patterns and seasonal trends, we can often anticipate demand and position capacity in advance. This proactive approach means we’re often able to say “yes” when others might have to decline, even at short notice.
Thermal liners for pallets offer a more cost-effective option. How available are they to Kukla customers?
We provide a range of thermal protection options, including pallet covers and liners. With our expert knowledge, we can guide customers in bespoke requirements. While they don’t match a refrigerated truck’s precision, they offer a safeguard for short-to-medium transit times or during temperature fluctuations. We can provide these materials quickly and cost-effectively, helping customers protect product quality without breaking the budget.
For fine wines, that combination of speed, security, and temperature stability is essential, and it’s an area where our operational discipline really shines.
Climate change, product integrity, and speed are all strong reasons to consider temperature-controlled services. Do you expect to see more demand, especially for one-off fine wine orders?
Yes, and we’re ready for it. We’ve tailored our services for time-critical, high-value shipments — for example, offering two-driver teams for non-stop delivery and secure load tracking so customers know exactly where their product is at all times. For fine wines, that combination of speed, security, and temperature stability is essential, and it’s an area where our operational discipline really shines.
Eastern Europe can be trickier because the equipment pool is smaller, but that’s where Kukla’s network makes the difference.
Are there regions or routes where securing temperature-controlled transport is more challenging?
Eastern Europe can be trickier because the equipment pool is smaller, but that’s where Kukla’s network makes the difference. Recently, we moved 12 pallets of premium wine from Georgia to the UK under refrigeration — a complex move involving multiple borders and partner handovers. Thanks to our long-standing relationships with local specialists, we kept full temperature integrity from start to finish. That’s not something every forwarder can promise.
For clients planning for seasonal peaks, what’s the ideal booking timeline to secure availability and competitive rates?
For peak periods, booking at least a week in advance is ideal. That said, we know things don’t always go to plan, so our operations team works to find solutions even with minimal notice. Because we maintain multi-carrier relationships and avoid over-reliance on a single provider, we can often secure space where others can’t — and at competitive rates.
Chris, thanks for taking the time to share your insights.
Always happy to help — and to make sure our customers’ wines arrive in perfect condition, whatever the weather.