Colder than average months in October and November are already driving sales at workplace equipment supplier Slingsby's purpose built salt facility as increasing numbers of businesses and organisations choose to prepare early for winter.
Met Office figures show that 2012 has been one of the coldest years since 1996 and several inches of snow have already fallen across parts of the UK. Now bookmakers are slashing odds on a white Christmas and say there is a 10-1 chance that the UK's coldest ever temperature of -27.2C could be broken this winter.
Lee Wright, Marketing Director of Slingsby, explains: "After a wet and miserable summer it seems the meteorologists are expecting the bad weather to continue as 2012 comes to a close with many forecasting a colder than average winter with widespread freezing, snow and major disruption for workplaces across all industries.
"As a result we're already experiencing strong salt sales to all types of businesses that have car parks, walkways and outdoor areas. Many are stocking up now to beat the inevitable rush to buy salt that occurs whenever snow and ice hits the UK and it makes sense to prepare early because salt is a product that can be stored for long periods of time."
Slingsby opened its salt distribution centre and bagging plant last year to complement the company's 35,000 workplace products, which includes an extensive range of winter products such as snow shovels, salt spreaders and grit bins.
The facility enables Slingsby to provide next day delivery anywhere in the UK on a full range of products to tackle snow and ice including salt, rock salt and grit in quantities ranging from 5kg to one tonne bags.
