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MFS RENEWABLES HARNESSES THE POWER OF ENERGY WITH NEW TITAN HYBRID SYSTEM

Following the recent launch of its new Renewables Division, leading commercial vehicle company Marshall Fleet Solutions (MFS) has added the TITAN hybrid power system to its renewables product portfolio, with the TITAN system capable of providing 100% free power to any make of on-board refrigeration unit, tail lift and other vehicle mounted electrically powered applications on HGV’s, LCV’s and small trucks.

Uniquely, TITAN is a hybrid system that combines power produced from lightweight, high power solar panels combined with a unique kinetic energy recovery system. The state-of-the-art kinetic recovery unit converts braking energy into electrical energy, which is stored along with the solar energy in long life lightweight lithium batteries.

Available exclusively from Marshall Fleet Solutions, the TITAN system will be unveiled for the first time on the MFS stand at the forthcoming TCS&D exhibition in Peterborough in September, where the system will be displayed on a Mercedes Sprinter home delivery vehicle that will be fitted with a Thermo King V200 refrigeration system.

Announcing details of the TITAN range, Mark Howell, managing director at Marshall Fleet Solutions said, “Delivering unrivalled fuel and CO2 savings, TITAN is revolutionary for the future of the automotive industry and for temperature controlled applications. By using a combination of solar power, KER’s, and on-board energy storage, TITAN provides 100% consistent power to the refrigeration system, reducing fuel costs, noise and most importantly, emissions.”

Suitable for both new vehicles as well as for retrofitting to existing vehicles, TITAN from MFS is available in two variants. The Solar-Kinetic version comprises solar panels and the state-of-the-art kinetic recovery unit to power a lightweight lithium battery, making them ideal for all diesel-powered vehicles. The Solar version utilises solar panels only to power a lightweight lithium battery and this version is perfectly suited to electric vehicles or for vehicles with limited daily mileage.

With TITAN, the solar panels utilize all the vehicle’s available roof space rather than penetrating critical bodywork. Energy is stored in a high-powered on-board battery to electrically power the fridge unit. The batteries are charged overnight and topped up during use by harnessing both the solar and kinetic energy recovery from the TITAN system.

Another significant advantage of the TITAN system is that it functions with a one hour key out holdover, ensuring that there is no requirement to run the vehicle to power the system during lunch breaks or deliveries as well as ensuring a timed pulldown function for preparing the vehicle for loading in advance.

With its slimline design and installation, TITAN requires minimal basic maintenance once installed. However, the flexible Marshall ASSIST contract maintenance packages for refrigeration systems can have TITAN added or upgraded to, by including annual servicing, compliance checks, as well as replacement and management of components to ensure optimum performance and reliability.

Further information about the TITAN hybrid system from the new Marshall Renewables Division can be obtained by contacting the MFS Renewables team on  renewables@marshallfleet.co.uk or by viewing the company’s dedicated Marshall Renewables page on

https://marshallfleetsolutions.co.uk/marshall-renewables/

“The addition of the TITAN system is part of our planned strategy to substantially expand the product portfolio of our new Marshall Renewables Division, whilst providing our customers with a visible commitment to reducing emissions and combating the effects of climate change,” added Mark Howell.

STARFROST SPIRAL COOLING SYSTEM BOOSTS PRODUCTION CAPACITY BY 70% FOR UK’S LARGEST BAKER OF SCONES

Starfrost have installed spiral cooling equipment for Haywood and Padgett, enabling the bakery to treble production of its award-winning scones.

Haywood and Padgett produces fine quality scones and bakery products for large supermarket retailers such as Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Iceland, Aldi and Lidl, as well as producing its own label range.

The bakery recently required new cooling equipment to increase its scone production following a factory expansion at its Yorkshire based bakery. Haywood and Padgett turned to Starfrost to design and manufacture a bespoke spiral cooler system for the 31,000 sq. ft. purpose built factory.

Starfrost custom built a cooling system that enabled Haywood and Padgett to significantly increase production capacity. The Starfrost cooling system features two Helix spiral coolers, each constructed with a double drum that uses one single continuous belt, for maximum product throughput.

The Helix spiral coolers deliver a space saving solution which contain over 1400 meters of belt, designed to utilise the height of the factory and maximise floor area of the bakery. The spiral cooler design allows production to load and unload product from low level without any high level transfers between drums, simplifying the bakery’s production line and reducing crumb loss of the scone products.

Both Helix spiral systems are designed as ambient coolers for controlled, natural temperature reduction of the bakery’s scone production. Natural cooling instead of forced cooling maintains the form and characteristics of the bakery products which results in optimum product quality whilst keeping operational costs to a minimum.

The Helix spiral coolers feature plastic modular belting using Intralox DirectDrive™ technology which eliminates product movement, an essential requirement within the bakery industry whereby product positioning is critical. The DirectDrive™ system integrated into the Starfrost Helix works by positively engaging the inner edge of the belt with the drum to drive the belt, the innovative design allows for the bakery to continuously operate the spiral cooler and removes the need to stop production for cleaning, a common downtime issue with manufacturers processing floury products.

Andy Harrison, Project Manager at Haywood and Padgett discusses the cooling equipment installation at the bakery: “The Helix spiral cooler system has boosted processing capacity by a substantial 70%, we no longer have a bottleneck in our bakery, which allows production to run quicker and smoother. The Helix system also cools our products individually which has positively impacted product quality and consistency. The impressive design of the Intralox DirectDrive removes product movement and preserves product shape of our bakery products as well as eliminating friction issues between the drum and the belt.”

THE ESSENTIAL COLD STORAGE GUIDE: BLOCKCHAIN SMART LEDGERS

Looking forward, an even newer technology is set to become an industry standard: blockchain. This database, which is also the technology at the base of Bitcoin, provides a smart contract ledger for the exchange of goods between two parties. As a product is only represented at one place within the blockchain database, both parties can securely and safely manage the transaction. Walmart for example implemented a blockchain-powered supply chain monitoring system in 2019. This smart contract technology required more than 100 suppliers to input detailed information about their products into a blockchain database upon initial distribution, and allows Walmart to closely monitor for spoilage and other red flags along the supply chain.

Download the full Essential Guide here

CLEGG FOOD PROJECTS DELIVERS ‘COOLEST’ PROJECT YET FOR GREGGS

A brand-new automated cold store has been built by food and drink construction expert Clegg Food Projects for the UK’s leading bakery food on the go chain Greggs.

Located between two existing manufacturing units at Greggs’ Balliol Business Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne, the new automated high bay frozen cold store is 32m high and will be used for the bulk storage of frozen products ready for distribution to Greggs stores across the UK, supporting the firm’s growth plans.

Clegg Food Projects was appointed as the principal contactor for project, marking the 20th large scale CAPEX scheme completed for Greggs, with a cumulative value of almost £100 million.

John Moxon, business development director at Clegg Food Projects, said: “We have a great relationship with Greggs and really enjoy working with the team, so we’re delighted to have delivered another successful project.

“Following coordination meetings with the Greggs team and their specialist mechanical systems suppliers and logistics consultants, works started on site in October 2019. The construction sequence was continually updated and modified as details were confirmed, with extensive groundworks and piling installations carried out to cope with the high structure as well as the volume and weight of the products being stored in the building.

“Access routes alongside installation and commissioning plans were also jointly agreed and equipment was installed during the main construction works to meet the overall project timescales and ensure the project ran smoothly.”

The new cold store is a fully ‘lights out process’ facility and will free up space on site as well as enabling efficient and faster delivery of finished goods to be baked in store.

The facility also includes six new loading docks, nine levels of automation, and reduced oxygen fire suppression.

Senior project manager at Greggs, Peter Boughton, said: “We are very pleased with the cold store as it enables us to free up space in the existing facility and improve the distribution efficiency to our stores. Designed with sustainability in mind, this project highlights our commitment to Net Zero Greggs with carbon efficiency considered at every stage of the construction process.

“A first for Greggs, the automated warehouse demonstrates our commitment to innovation and investment in our sites and the business. The Clegg team brings a wealth of knowledge as well as an understanding of our business and our priorities when it comes to the delivery of projects.”

Clegg Food Projects is a national designer and constructor of food manufacturing and distribution facilities with more than 40 years’ experience in the sector. Part of Clegg Group, the firm has worked for a number of household brands, both in the UK and abroad, across a wide range of sectors including bakery, beverages, dairy, fresh and frozen produce and many more.

For further information visit www.cleggfoodprojects.co.uk or follow @CleggFoodP on Twitter.

CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF LABOUR IN THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN

The BFFF was a co-sponsor of a report produced by 12 trade bodies highlighting the critical shortage of labour in the food supply chain.

Whilst the severe shortage of HGV drivers has grabbed the headlines our research of the challenges faced by members showed a wider issue with shortages across many skills.

12 other trade bodies involved in the report showed a similar position with a shortage of labour across many critical skills.

The report which can be accessed by following this link has been circulated to a wide range of Government departments and MPs with a key request for the introduction of a 12-month temporary Covid19 Recovery Visa to enable the food supply chain to fill roles with overseas workers.

Other requests are for an extension of the Seasonal Worker Scheme combined with the Migration Advisory Committee being asked to review the impact of the current Immigration Policy on the food and drink sector.

We would also suggest members write to their local MP urging them to press the Government for concrete action. We have drafted a letter for members which can be accessed here. Members can find the details of their local MP by following this link.

DRIVING FOR BETTER BUSINESS WILL BE TALKING AT THIS YEARS H&S INDUSTRY EVENT

The next speaker confirmed at this years Workplace Transport and Road Risk Seminar is Jim Magner from Driving for Better Business.

Jim is a highly respected leader in the Logistics Industry, having held a number of senior roles within the Freight Transport Association (now known as Logistics UK) for over 30 years. His roles have included General Manager (Membership Relations) and Sector Head for Retail & Manufacturing, and he has been a member of the Business Board and Senior Commercial team. He joined Driving for Better Business in May 2021 to help broaden DfBB’s contact with the business sector. Jim is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. In his spare time he is a football fan and is a season ticket holder at Rochdale Football Club.

Jim’s session is aimed at raising awareness of the significant benefits that employers in both the private and public sectors can achieve in managing work-related driving more effectively. It will focus on tools to help you evaluate practices, strengthen culture, enhance performance and demonstrate leadership in the management of work-related road risk.

There is still time to book your teams tickets with our Early Bird offer – Book Today

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