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NEWCOLD ‘ON COURSE’ WITH NEW COLD STORAGE FACILITY

Preparations for NewCold’s second UK deep freeze storage facility are fully on course, says the company and following the build commencement next month, the operation is expected to go live just one year later.

Based in Corby, the facility sits on a 23-acre plot which, says Country Director Jon Miles, is a prime location in the logistics ‘golden triangle’, with proximity to frozen distribution centres of large retail and food service customers and perfectly located to help customers reduce food miles and cut costs.

“Everything is going to plan for the new site” he explains, “and given the high demands being placed on our Wakefield facility, even with its colossal 4 million-pallet annual turnover, our target date for opening in the fourth quarter of 2021, hardly seems soon enough!”

Even though the Wakefield hub has a giant storage capacity of 143,000 pallets and is only just over 5 years old, NewCold were already making plans early in 2019 to establish an additional site further south in the UK.

“We needed to enhance our national service, particularly for customers wishing to benefit from a closer facility than the Wakefield site. To this end, Corby is ideally situated to support UK frozen food manufacturers and importers looking to enhance their supply chain value.”

Jon further explains that in keeping with NewCold’s focus on sustainability and as demonstrated at their uniquely designed Wakefield site, the new facility will use around 50% less energy than a conventional cold storage operation.

“This, coupled with our ability to reduce food miles by using high-volume trailers,” adds Jon “will greatly reduce CO2 emissions and energy use.”

With headquarters in the Netherlands, NewCold is regarded as a leader in developing and operating highly automated cold stores and energy efficient handling systems. At present, the company has around 750 employees worldwide and operates eight locations on three continents.

NEW PROJECT TO EXTEND FISH AND SEAFOOD SHELF-LIFE AND REDUCE FOOD WASTE

Campden BRI is looking for partners to help with new research that aims to revise established standards in order to increase the shelf-life of fresh fish and seafood. It could save producers and retailers millions of pounds in wasted food by extending shelf-life by a day or even more.

Campden BRI microbiologist Greg Jones, who is leading the project, said:

“This research will focus on whether existing standards for assessing shelf-life are overly cautious. When it comes to shelf-life, fish and seafood are renowned for being highly-perishable, but it’s still quite possible that current rejection thresholds for levels of microorganisms are set unrealistically low, leading to significant wastage and cost. We’ll be undertaking microbiological, chemical and sensory testing to see if reviewing these standards can achieve improved shelf-life without compromising product safety.”

The scientists are looking for fish and seafood producers, and retailers, to work with them on the project so that they can undertake investigations and analyses on a comprehensive range of products.

In 2011, WRAP estimated that 1.2% of fishery produce was wasted, with the cost to retailers alone of £12 million. Currently, the majority of retailers apply microbiological specifications, as indicators of quality, to the raw seafood (fish, prawns and shellfish) that they source from their suppliers. Feedback from producers suggests that the upper limits in these specifications are currently set too low to take account of the natural levels of microflora (in fish and seafood) and can potentially be exceeded even at the very start of shelf-life, despite the food being safe and organoleptically acceptable.

Jones continued:

“This suggests that the natural flora of seafood may already be at a higher level than that permitted by the specifications. If the evidence justifies a review of these specifications, by correlating sensory data with plate counts, the benefits to producers and retailers will be considerable – allowing safe food to be stored for a longer time. Consequently, it will also reduce environmental and financial impacts through reduced waste.”

The research will begin in November and run for a year. It will involve suppliers and retailers from across the fish and seafood sector providing a range of products for testing. Any companies wanting to take part in the research should call Greg Jones on +44(0)1386 842143 or email him at greg.jones@campdenbri.co.uk

NEW GUIDANCE FOR WORKING SAFELY DURING CORONAVIRUS IN FACTORIES, PLANTS AND WAREHOUSES

On 15th October 2020, the Government released further guidance for people who work in or run Factories, Plants and Warehouses. The guidance applies to those in an Alert Level 1 (Medium), if you are in an Alert Level 2 (High) or 3 (Very High) area, then please check local restrictions.

It is critical that employers, employees, and self-employed take steps to ensure they are keeping themselves and others around them safe. Gov.uk have released this guidance to help you understand how to work safely during this pandemic, breaking it down into seven steps to protect yourself, your staff and your customers during coronavirus.

To read the guidance in full, please click here

FLEET INVESTMENT EXTENDS REACH FOR OAKLAND DISTRIBUTION

Oakland Distribution has launched its new fleet of Renault trucks and Gray & Adams trailers, taking an initial delivery of 20 trailers and 10 tractor units and more than doubling capacity.

Bringing the Oakland fleet to a total of 48 trucks and 55 trailers, Oakland Distribution is the wholly owned subsidiary of supply chain solutions specialist Oakland International.

Oakland’s Group MD Shaun Foley commented: “Extending our offer to include Oakland’s own fleet has been in response to the needs of customers who wish to see supply chain resilience and control at a time when the market is quite tumultuous.

“We are delighted to be working with Salford Van Hire who provided the Renault tractor units and Gray & Adams for providing us with great products. Our fleet is primarily focussed on delivering a fully tracked customer solution placed across our network of hubs and partner hubs. We already have great partners working with us providing primary transport solutions into many retailers and supplying general distribution support to destinations across the UK in retail and foodservice and we see a long-term need for collaboration with the right partners alongside operating our own core fleet.”

Oakland Distribution’s new trailers are twin evaporator, multi-compartment units with tail lifts across all kit and satellite controlled with monitored temperature recordings. In keeping with Oakland’s constant drive towards carbon neutrality, the new fridge units are amongst the most efficient in the market.

Gray & Adams Sales Manager Ryan Mazgaj commented: “With a shared drive for high-quality, sustainable solutions, Gray & Adams is proud to work with Oakland Distribution and delighted to have supplied 20 single deck, twin evaporator, 13.6m trailers with a host of innovative technical features, such as satellite temperature monitoring. The temperature-controlled trailers also include the latest Carrier Vector HE19 multi-temp refrigeration unit, which offers greater fuel efficiency and longer service intervals. We are delighted to be working with such a progressive company which shares our ethos and look forward to building on this partnership in the future.”

Salford Van Hire Contracts and Fleet Engineering Director Steve McNally stated: “In the current climate of so much uncertainty it’s good to see a customer being positive and expanding. Salford Van Hire look forward to supporting Oakland International Ltd and creating a long-lasting working relationship with them.”

To publicise the company’s support for its two local and national charities close to Oakland’s heart, the rear doors of the new vehicles include the logos of children’s charities the Oakland Foundation and Molly Olly’s Wishes.

The fleet, which is expected to grow to 100 prime-movers within the next 12 months, is split between Oakland’s three core UK operating sites based in Redditch, Corby, and Bardon.

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

With growing demands on the UK food industry to produce and emerging risks and concerns, robotic system integration can enable vast improvements to production and safety in the industry.

Able to fill workforce voids, robotic systems are diverse and expandable for any application, with multiple systems able to work co-operatively and maximise product throughput. Such integration enables rapid production line upscaling with production rate increases being achieved simply through additional robots and equipment utilising the existing programming.

Following growing concerns of hygiene and the risks incurred from the possibility of future pandemics, integration of autonomous systems can dramatically reduce interaction levels with production lines.

Smart autonomous systems can be controlled and monitored remotely and require minimal supervision. Features such as the wash-proof nature of FANUC’s robot systems also ensure hygiene can be maintained with ease and without risk of system damage during cleaning.

Smaller scale integration of robotic systems can also be achieved to provide substantial improvements. In addition to cost savings and production efficiencies, robots can be safely integrated to function alongside existing employees and support them in their roles with sensory systems capable of slowing robots to safe speeds when individuals are in close proximity. Doing so can aid in meeting social distancing requirements even in the most confined spaces, allowing production rates to be maintained without increasing space requirements.

SYKES SEAFOOD LAUNCHES A NEW ECOMMERCE WEBSITE TO SERVE ITS CUSTOMERS ACROSS THE UK

UK‌ ‌based‌ ‌seafood‌ ‌supplier,‌ ‌Sykes‌ ‌Seafood,‌ ‌announces‌ ‌the‌ ‌launch‌ ‌of‌ ‌its‌ ‌first‌ ‌ecommerce‌ ‌website‌ ‌to‌ ‌ensure‌ ‌greater‌ ‌order‌ ‌flexibility‌ ‌and‌ ‌a‌ ‌seamless‌ ‌shopping‌ ‌experience,‌ ‌aiming‌ ‌to‌ ‌improve‌ ‌overall‌ ‌customer‌ ‌experience.‌ ‌ ‌

Founded‌ ‌in‌ ‌Liverpool‌ ‌in‌ ‌1862,‌ ‌Sykes‌ ‌Seafood‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌family-run‌ ‌business‌ ‌renowned‌ ‌for‌ ‌supplying‌ ‌the‌ ‌highest‌ ‌standard,‌ ‌sustainably‌ ‌sourced‌ ‌freshly‌ ‌frozen‌ ‌seafood‌ ‌for‌ ‌retail,‌ ‌foodservice‌ ‌and‌ ‌manufacturing‌ ‌sectors.‌ ‌The‌ ‌user-friendly‌ ‌website‌ ‌has‌ ‌been‌ ‌designed‌ ‌with‌ ‌accessibility‌ ‌and‌ ‌convenience‌ ‌in‌ ‌mind.‌ ‌

Customers‌ ‌can‌ ‌take‌ ‌advantage‌ ‌of‌ ‌a‌ ‌range‌ ‌of‌ ‌benefits,‌ ‌such‌ ‌as‌ ‌live‌ ‌special‌ ‌offers‌ ‌as‌ ‌well‌ ‌as‌ ‌easily‌ ‌purchasing‌ ‌over‌ ‌200‌ ‌products‌ ‌available‌ ‌online‌ ‌at‌ ‌their‌ ‌own‌ ‌leisure.‌ ‌ ‌‌

The‌ ‌new‌ ‌website‌ ‌offers‌ ‌a‌ ‌reduced‌ ‌minimum‌ ‌order‌ ‌value‌ ‌of‌ ‌£500,‌ ‌along‌ ‌with‌ ‌benefits‌ ‌including‌ ‌free‌ ‌and‌ ‌selected‌ ‌date‌ ‌delivery.‌ ‌With‌ ‌pre-pay‌ ‌or‌ ‌credit‌ ‌account‌ ‌orders‌ ‌accepted,‌ ‌the‌ ‌site‌ ‌aims‌ ‌to‌ ‌generate‌ ‌additional‌ ‌interest‌ ‌with‌ ‌wholesale‌ ‌customers‌ ‌who‌ ‌can‌ ‌take‌ ‌advantage‌ ‌of‌ ‌cost‌ ‌savings‌ ‌by‌ ‌purchasing‌ ‌direct.‌ ‌ ‌‌

Functionalities‌ ‌such‌ ‌as‌ ‌dynamic‌ ‌basket‌ ‌and‌ ‌case‌ ‌pricing,‌ ‌as‌ ‌well‌ ‌as‌ ‌the‌ ‌ability‌ ‌to‌ ‌quickly‌ ‌re-order‌ ‌and‌ ‌have‌ ‌more‌ ‌production‌ ‌information‌ ‌available‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌ ‌touch‌ ‌of‌ ‌a‌ ‌button,‌ ‌have‌ ‌been‌ ‌designed‌ ‌to‌ ‌enable‌ ‌effective‌ ‌order‌ ‌management‌ ‌and‌ ‌make‌ ‌shopping‌ ‌online‌ ‌an‌ ‌enjoyable‌ ‌experience.‌ ‌ ‌‌

Alan‌ ‌Dale,‌ ‌Managing‌ ‌Director‌ ‌at‌ ‌Sykes‌ ‌Seafood‌ ‌says,‌ ‌“We’re‌ ‌thrilled‌ ‌to‌ ‌launch‌ ‌Sykes‌ ‌Seafood‌ ‌online‌ ‌shopping.‌ ‌It‌ ‌marks‌ ‌a‌ ‌significant‌ ‌steppingstone‌ ‌in‌ ‌taking‌ ‌our‌ ‌customer‌ ‌service‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌next‌ ‌level.‌ ‌Customers‌ ‌have‌ ‌access‌ ‌to‌ ‌order‌ ‌our‌ ‌products‌ ‌anytime,‌ ‌anywhere,‌ ‌across‌ ‌the‌ ‌UK.‌ ‌ ‌‌

“The‌ ‌website‌ ‌has‌ ‌been‌ ‌designed‌ ‌with‌ ‌our‌ ‌core‌ ‌customers‌ ‌in‌ ‌mind‌ ‌-‌ ‌the‌ ‌quick‌ ‌reordering‌ ‌system‌ ‌provides‌ ‌our‌ ‌busy‌ ‌customers‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌flexibility‌ ‌to‌ ‌order‌ ‌at‌ ‌ease.‌ ‌It’s‌ ‌the‌ ‌next‌ ‌step-up‌ ‌in‌ ‌supplying‌ ‌our‌ ‌customers,‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌the‌ ‌demand‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌market‌ ‌and‌ ‌embracing‌ ‌a‌ ‌move‌ ‌toward‌ ‌technology”.‌ ‌‌

The‌ ‌introduction‌ ‌of‌ ‌an‌ ‌ecommerce‌ ‌platform‌ ‌underpins‌ ‌the‌ ‌company’s‌ ‌drive‌ ‌in‌ ‌continuing‌ ‌to‌ ‌build‌ ‌a‌ ‌respected‌ ‌and‌ ‌progressive‌ ‌business‌ ‌that‌ ‌serves‌ ‌its‌ ‌customers‌ ‌across‌ ‌the‌ ‌UK,‌ ‌ensuring‌ ‌products‌ ‌are‌ ‌easily‌ ‌accessible‌ ‌and‌ ‌shopping‌ ‌is‌ ‌effortless.‌ ‌‌

Earlier‌ ‌this‌ ‌year,‌ ‌Sykes‌ ‌Seafood‌ ‌acquired‌ ‌Klaas‌ ‌Puul,‌ ‌one‌ ‌of‌ ‌Europe’s‌ ‌largest‌ ‌seafood‌ ‌processing‌ ‌companies,‌ ‌bolstering‌ ‌plans‌ ‌for‌ ‌future‌ ‌growth‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌European‌ ‌fish‌ ‌and‌ ‌seafood‌ ‌market.‌‌ ‌‌

Find‌ ‌out‌ ‌more‌ ‌at ‌www.sykesseafood.com‌.‌ ‌

Member Benefits

Exclusive Partnership deals on key products and services:

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  • Vypr member deals and introduction
  • Defib Plus deals
  • Company Shop – membership
  • Mentor – MHE training health check

Exclusive access to networking opportunities and events:

  • Meet the Buyer events (retail & foodservice)
  • Annual Business Conference with networking dinner
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  • Special interest groups (packaging, frozen food temperatures)
  • Annual Lunch
  • Awards Night
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what our members say...
  • Wakefield Council

    “What an amazing piece of work and indicative of how BFFF respond to the concerns of their members and make an impact on the whole industry sector.”

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  • Sysco

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  • Darta

    “The BFFF awards night is becoming an “appointment not to miss” on our calendar and we again enjoyed it immensely together with lots of well-known people from our industry. The…

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  • Kantar Worldpanel

    “The Business Conference was an excellent day that was very well organised and allowed so many likeminded individuals in the room to learn so much more around the Frozen industry….

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  • Lakeside Food Group Ltd

    “This Not For EU labelling situation alarmed us and quickly became a major worry to our business. These are times when you really rely on some support and from previous…

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    “We had a few questions with respect to the new EPR waste packaging legislative changes. I know some of my colleagues have been assisted by BFFF in the past so…

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  • Newberry International Produce Ltd

    “I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding event you organised. I have only worked in this sector for the past nineteen months coming from twenty-five years…

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  • Place UK Ltd

    “The BFFF 2024 Conference was compelling and thought provoking, with a many relevant and interesting topics covered at great pace and some depth by excellent speakers – will certainly attend…

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    “Thank you and the team for rushing around so brilliantly before, during and after the conference. It was pleasure to be part of the conference.”

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    “The event was great, in my opinion. Not only it was very well organised, but the venue and the catering were excellent too. Furthermore, the content of the presentations was…

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