Pye Provedores, a distribution company that mostly handles food supplies, has forked out big money for new premises in the town’s industrial zone.

Co-owner Brett Pye says the $400,000 facilities will improve the service his company offers and allow it to tap further into markets beyond the immediate vicinity.

“My brother Phil and I have been in business here for nearly 24 years,” he said. “We love Port and we love the game we’re in.

“We employ local people and support local businesses, while we’re surrounded by big national and mutlinational rivals.”

The move from the present headquarters at Hastings River Dve to bigger purpose-built premises at Bolwarra Rd is the third address change for the business since it was formed in 1985.

“There’s 1000m2 of floor space under the roof,” Mr Pye said. “That means, instead of 300 pallets of freezer space that we have now, there’ll be 700 pallets’ worth – all fully racked.

“This will make things run much more smoothly, freeing up time and space. There’ll also be more room for chilled products and at the front end, more dry and paper goods.”

The new facility will allow Pye Provedores to keep goods at a constant temperature of 4 degrees, helping to maintain high-quality for goods from start to finish of the wholesale operation.

With four loading docks for the 10 refrigerated vehicles – five of which are heavy trucks – the company aims to increase its profile in Coffs Harbour.

“We cover the area from Forster to Coffs and the new unit should help us make further inroads,” Mr Pye said. “We’ve held out against bigger rivals, who’ve gone to great lengths in cutting prices and trying to buy us out.

“Phil and I believe the service we can offer as a family run business will always beat what a manager can do for bigger companies.”

While other Australian businesses are tightening their belts, the Pyes have splashed out to extend office space and upgrade frozen food storage.

“The downturn has affected us,” Mr Pye said. “And business has been quite flat in recent months, but we believe tourism will benefit and that’s key to the local economy, which should help us.”

The company will move goods into the new site next month. The main move is pencilled in for February.