Contract packer Grotech Production has helped a customer meet a gap in supply after the cold weather boosted demand for its grit alternative.

Basic Solutions typically produces Ice Melt, which it says has six times better coverage than salt, in the summer and calculates volumes based on forecasted winter demand.

But the recent spate of cold weather depleted stocks and Basic turned to its long-standing supplier Grotech to help fill the gap in supply.

Grotech introduced a dedicated weekend shift to pack the extra lorry and, together with Basic, was able to find a material supplier for the constituent elements.

A Basic Solutions spokesman said: "No amount of planning can anticipate such freak weather conditions. The test is how the challenge is faced, and we're delighted with how well Grotech responded."

Grotech managing director Martin Usher said: "We're grateful to both our production team for their commitment and to our customer for its faith in our performance.

Yorkshire-based Grotech can formulate and pack a wide range of powders, granules and other liquids.

Grotech will be exhibiting on stand 847 at the easyFairs Contract Pack show at the Birmingham NEC on 24-25 February.