Page 415 — British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF)

XPO LOGISTICS WINS CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH EIZO IN THE UK

Posted on June 3, 2021June 3, 2021 by Hayley Mc Quade

XPO Logistics, a leading global provider of supply chain solutions, has renewed its multi-year contract with EIZO Limited, one of the UK’s fastest-growing monitor brands. The company distributes high-quality monitors and display solutions manufactured by EIZO, a global visual technology specialist.

XPO operates a distribution site for EIZO in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and has twice expanded capacity in the last 12 months to accommodate greater demand. In addition to managing warehousing, inventory and fulfilment, XPO provides carrier management services tailored to the shipping requirements for special handling.

EIZO’s monitors and displays are used in the healthcare, graphic design, video production and air traffic control industries, as well as image processing, surveillance and corporate environments. XPO is currently developing a custom supply chain solution to support EIZO’s expansion within the field-based engineering market.

Alison Bunn, CFO, EIZO Limited, said, “XPO Logistics is not just another supplier to us. They are a true partner who cares about the quality of service delivered. XPO gives us the confidence that every order shipped will be treated with the utmost care and attention, delivering an excellent service. They have provided flexibility when growth exceeded our expectations and had the capacity to meet our requirements. XPO has certainly played a part in the success of our business to date.”

“The sophistication of EIZO’s products requires special packaging and handling to ensure a superior end-customer experience,” said Gavin Williams, XPO’s managing director, supply chain – UK and Ireland. “The strong collaboration between our two companies ensures high productivity and consistent results, with seasonal flexibility to control costs. It’s exciting to build on this long-term relationship and support our customer’s growth.”

In 2020, EIZO donated rent-free warehouse space at Wellingborough to the Scrubs Glorious Scrubs campaign initiated by apparel designer Lynda Yong in response to the pandemic. XPO worked with EIZO to equip the area with machinery and supplies used to produce non-surgical medical gowns for National Health Service workers, their patients and families.

TREAT YOUR BIG DADDY: ICELAND LAUNCHES THE BIGGEST ‘BIG DADDY’ RANGE YET

Posted on June 3, 2021June 3, 2021 by mel.matson@iceland.co.uk

Ahead of Father’s Day this year, what better way to treat the biggest of dads than with a range named after him? Introducing…the Big Daddy range from Iceland and The Food Warehouse. From the frozen BBQ Atlantic Salmon (£4.00, 245g) to the now chilled variant of the Big Daddy Cheeseburgers (£3.00, 474g / 3 for £8.00) and Rump Steak (£4.00, 245g), Iceland has a meal for every father. With the weather heating up and BBQ season soon upon us, they’re perfect for dads with a licence to grill.

For customers seeking to make no missed-steak with their choice of BBQ food, Iceland’s Big Daddy Sirloin Steak (£5.00, 340g) and Iceland Big Daddy Rump Steak (£5.00, 454g) are the perfect choice! Ready to be grilled on the BBQ to your heart’s desire, Iceland have given dads the opportunity to have the ultimate steak experience.

The Food Warehouse is also exclusively offering the Big Daddy Who’s the Daddy Rump Steak (£7.00, 700g) for those after a meaty feast, and the Big Daddy Salt & Pepper Pork Loin Steak (£5.00, 600g) for those wanting that pre-prepped flavour!

Those legendary dads who deserve all things cheesy can feast their eyes on the Big Daddy Cheeseburger (£3.00, 474g). Juicy, succulent, and mouth-watering, the Big Daddy Cheeseburger (£3.00, 474g) is available on Iceland’s 3 for £8.00 offer, topped with a slice of melted cheese and is sure to be an absolute BBQ banger. For the ultimate pairing, customers can sandwich the burger inside the fluffy and soft Warburtons 4pk Large Sliced Rolls (£1.00).

Customers looking to ditch the meat can get their hands on Iceland’s Big Daddy BBQ Atlantic Salmon Fillet with Cedar Plank (£4.00, 245g). Laid out on a sleek plank, the delicious sticky and smoky BBQ flavoured salmon is bound to be a catch.

Shoppers can also spice up the evening with the Big Daddy Hot & Spicy Chicken Skewer (£5.00, 700g) – available only at The Food Warehouse. The chicken pieces are so big, they need two skewers – perfect for those Big Daddy’s with big appetites.

For more information about Iceland’s range, please visit: www.iceland.co.uk

CALL FOR MEMBERS INTERESTED IN RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TAGS (RFID) PROJECT

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

For those of you who attended this year’s virtual BFFF Technical Conference, you may well remember listening to Nik Watson, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Nottingham University.

Nik’s research is focussed on digital manufacturing within the food and drink sector and his team develops intelligent sensor technologies to tackle some of the biggest challenges around sustainability, food safety, hygiene and productivity.

A focus of Nik’s research is developing sensor and data analysis methods and he has now reached out to us to see if any BFFF members would be interested in speaking to them in relation to a project they are currently working on with Radio Frequency Identification Tags (RFID).

If this is something you are working on or are interested in and would like to be put in touch with Nik then please contact deniserion@bfff.co.uk

CONSISTENCY IS A WINNING FORMULA FOR AULDS DELICIOUS DESSERTS

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Nada Mackenzie

In most areas of business, you are only as good as your last product or last delivery so performing well consistently is key to success. During the pandemic, life has been particularly hard for companies supplying the foodservice market and hence at Aulds Delicious Desserts where the focus is on own label products for the Foodservice Market and has been for the last 53 years, it has been very rewarding for the company to have it confirmed that they continue to develop and produce outstanding products, with a product they manufacture again taking the Foodservice Product of the Year Award at the latest BFFF Annual Awards.

Whilst technology, techniques and markets may have changed over the years Aulds Delicious Desserts’ commitment to the finest standards in hand-crafted desserts, cakes, sweets, patisserie, and customer service has not. By drawing on the skills developed and refined by generations of bakers and confectioners they consistently develop new ideas that foodservice clients find so appealing ensuring they remain at the leading edge in this sector.

In this year’s event Bidfood, one of the UK’s leading wholesalers, were awarded the prestigious 2020 BFFF (British Frozen Food Federation) Foodservice Product of the Year for their “Premium Selection” Chocolate and Clementine Dessert, manufactured by Aulds Delicious Desserts. The product is both Vegan and Gluten Free making it an ideal dessert for the hospitality sector, being frozen and pre portioned for that perfect serving. Bidfood also won silver for their Baked Crème Brulee Cheesecake in the Best New Foodservice Dessert / Ice Cream / Confectionery product again manufactured by Aulds Delicious Desserts

Aulds Delicious Desserts have won numerous awards for their products over many years, however quite appropriately as an own label supplier the company has always believed that the products should be the ones that make the statement!

For more detail on this Bidfood product, please call Bidfood on 0370 3663 000, or for information relating to Aulds Delicious Desserts contact the company on 0141 812 1126.

48% FUEL SAVING DRIVES HUNTAPAC’S SWITCH TO THERMO KING’S ADVANCER

Posted on June 2, 2021 by

Five new G&A trailers with fuel efficient Advancer A400 units from Marshall Fleet Solutions added to Huntapac trailer fleet

Improved efficiencies, increased sustainability and, most of all, proven fuel economy are the key drivers behind Huntapac Produce Ltd taking five new additional G&A refrigerated trailers that have been fitted with Thermo King’s brand-new Advancer A400 refrigeration systems for the first time.

This five reefer trailer deal, supplied via Huntapac’s preferred trailer supplier TIP Trailer Services, in conjunction with long term TK dealer Marshall Fleet Solutions, resulted from the West Lancashire company running one of MFS’s Advancer demonstration trailers in its fleet. Operating in the busy pre-Christmas December trading period, the MFS Advancer trailer returned 48% fuel savings in comparison with other similar fleet trailers running alternative refrigeration systems on the same routes.

Commenting on now specifying Thermo King systems in their trailer fleet, Joanne Cleece, head of transport at Huntapac Produce Ltd said, “Across the whole spectrum of our tractor unit and trailer fleet, we are looking to increase the overall fleet fuel efficiency going forward, specifically to offset the continually rising costs of fuel. We were keen to try the Advancer system as soon as it was launched to see whether TK’s Advancer fuel cost claims were justified.”

Joanne continues, “Working closely with both TIP and Marshall Fleet Solutions, we were the first company to run the MFS Advancer demonstration trailer in the UK. Within the trial period, based on our running profile of 1500 hours per annum, the fuel savings were exceptional, in comparison to our existing reefer trailers fitted with the equivalent incumbent systems. In addition, the Advancer performance stats also indicated a substantial environmental benefit too with significant savings in CO² output per unit. Instantly we realised that Advancer was going to be a game changer, not just for our future refrigerated trailer fleet but for the industry in general.”

In early 2021, Huntapac were looking to increase their trailer fleet to cope with the additional customer volumes and added a further five new Gray & Adams single temperature refrigerated trailers, with each one specified with an Advancer A400 system. These new trailers are now based at the company’s West Lancashire production facility and were supplied on a contract hire deal through TIP Trailer Services, with Marshall Fleet Solutions handling the Advancer refrigeration system service and maintenance support during the trailer’s working life.

“For many years now our trailer fleet has been wholly based on non-Thermo King systems. This recent switch over to Thermo King Advancer systems is a big change for the company however it has been based on strict operational performance out on the road. The MFS Advancer demonstration trailer was put straight into our fleet literally as soon as it arrived and was working during our busiest trading time, running full loads of carrots and other root vegetables, and with no special preferential treatment,” said Joanne Cleece.

Joanne adds, “The results spoke for themselves. MFS were able to give us full and accurate detailed performance data during the trial period, as well as identifying the significant fuel, environmental and operational cost savings that were achieved.”

Huntapac is a fourth-generation family run company first established in 1942, and they specialise in the growing, packing and distribution of a variety of root vegetables, brassicas, salads and organic vegetables. Based in Tarleton, West Lancashire, Huntapac currently run a fleet of 66 tractor units, 66 refrigerated trailers, of which 20 are dual temperature and 40 are single temperature, and 40 bulk trailers.

“One of the most challenging elements of running a transport fleet is the cost of fuel which impacts on every operator. As part of its programme to increase its fleets’ overall fuel efficiency, Huntapac worked closely with MFS to see whether Advancer could play a significant future role in their refrigerated trailer fleet. Advancer soon proved itself out on the road and we are really pleased to now be actively involved with Huntapac as part of this ongoing fleet efficiency initiative,” said Mark Howell, managing director, Marshall Fleet Solutions.

Further information about the full range of Thermo King Advancer transport refrigeration systems from Marshall Fleet Solutions can be viewed on the MFS website at www.marshallfleetsolutions.co.uk

SCALA CONSULTING PARTNERS WITH FARESHARE TO HELP FEED THE NATION

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Les Golden

International supply chain and logistics consultancy SCALA has partnered with food redistribution charity FareShare to assist the organisation with its logistics strategy.

Through the partnership, SCALA has supported FareShare on a wide range of complex issues, such as how the charity could manage the major increase in received food volumes over the past year as well as how the not-for-profit can manage the volumes that are anticipated to grow in the future. FareShare’s team of 2000 volunteers has distributed the equivalent of 132 million meals with a value to the charities it serves of £18 million in the last year.

FareShare is the UK’s largest food redistribution charity, with more than 30 warehouses across the UK. The charity takes food from the food industry that cannot be sold in shops because of packaging errors, short shelf life, or overproduction and redistributes it through a network of over 11,000 frontline organisations, including homeless hostels, school breakfast clubs, domestic violence refuges, older people’s lunch clubs, food banks, and hospices.

 SCALA has assisted FareShare by analysing the efficiency of the organisation’s entire supply chain strategy.

The challenges that SCALA had to take into consideration for this strategy included, the difficulties for FareShare in forecasting volumes; the need to be extremely responsive and agile and dealing with the variety of products the charity distributes including frozen, ambient and chilled goods. Furthermore, the business also had to take into account the need to minimise any food waste within the FareShare network, by rapidly moving donations to charities right across the country.

FareShare has more than doubled its work since the pandemic, providing the equivalent of more than two million meals a week to people who struggle to get enough to eat.

Dave Howorth, executive director at SCALA said: “FareShare operates in a highly challenging logistics environment, particularly with the many unknowns around supply and the need for extreme responsiveness to minimise food waste and maximise the availability of food to those in need.

“We have been able to work alongside FareShare over the past few months and have supported the organisation in navigating some of these challenges. It’s been great to support FareShare in helping further the organisations’ mission to get food to those that need it across the UK.”

Jo Dyson, head of food at FareShare said: “We are delighted to be working with SCALA and really appreciate their support for FareShare. They have really taken the time to understand us, both as a charity with scarce resources and in terms of the additional challenges that come from managing surplus products where the supply chain is so much harder to predict. They have provided us with independent expertise and good insights as to how we should progress, and they are continuing to help us on our mission.”

For more information about SCALA, please visit https://www.scalagroup.co.uk/.

For more information about FareShare, please visit https://fareshare.org.uk/.

A few reasons to become a member of BFFF

To find out more about becoming a member call 01400 283 095 or email the team

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Meet the Buyer events (retail & foodservice)
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Specialist H&S and Technical Conferences
Special interest groups (packaging, frozen food temperatures)
Annual Lunch
Awards Night

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We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to BFFF members across our events throughout the year, with flexible packages that can be tailored to suit your business objectives.

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