Controlled temperature specialist Langdon Group is to part company with David Price Food Services as its partner for distribution in the north of England on 24 January.
The move comes after a decision by Langdons to open its own depot in South Yorkshire to service its customers in Yorkshire and the north-east of England.
Langdons had opened its eighth UK depot in Dodsworth, near Barnsley, in November with the intention of making it operational this month.
David Price Food Services had been part of ChillNet, Langdon's next-day delivery service for wholesalers, food service depots and food manufacturers. Other ChillNet members include Sawyers in Northern Ireland and STL in the Republic of Ireland.
Arran Osman, managing director of Langdons, says: "It was the right time for Langdons to pursue its long-term strategy of securing its UK network and providing support to our customers within the region.
"We have had a very successful partnership with David Price Food Services, but both parties believed it was time to develop their own businesses independently of each other."
Langdons currently runs 220 vehicles, comprising of 140 artics and 80 rigids, as well as 180 trailers from its eight depots across the country. It sub-contracts 20% of its business in addition to the ChillNet network.
David Price, of David Price Food Services, adds: "We have come to an agreement that the relationship will be terminated from 24 January. We are now looking to set up a new network called Absolute."
Price says that marketing meetings for the new network will be held today with the intention of recruiting members. It has already approached an as yet un-named company in Kent to handle routes into Europe.
"Langdons wanted to go on their own as they are part of the Nagel Group and we wanted to remain independent," he adds.