Anglia Crown appoints national account manager to drive expansion plans

Posted on December 5, 2018October 1, 2020 by

Anglia Crown appoints national account manager to drive expansion plans

Anglia Crown has strengthened their commercial team by appointing Ellen Clayton as national account manager. Clayton will be responsible for overseeing some of Anglia Crown’s national accounts and customers in the north of the UK. As well as account managing existing customers, she will also be driving expansion to meet the company’s business goals.

Clayton comments:
“I am really pleased to be a part of the team at Anglia Crown. I’m so happy to be working for a company that has some brilliant new ideas and innovations. I think all Anglia Crown ranges are great!
My key strength is relationship building, therefore my focus as national account manager will be on retaining quality professional relationships with new and existing customers.

With eighteen years’ experience in the cost sector catering market, I will be using this advantage to bring in new business from a wider reach of public sector establishments, with the aim to target new markets in the future.”
Clayton will report directly to Anglia Crown’s director and co-owner, Paul Howell.

Howell comments:
“We’re thrilled to have Ellen on board as a new national account manager for our national and northern customers. She has tremendous enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit as well as huge experience to help identify and retain new and existing business relationships to meet our business goals.” Anglia Crown is a chilled and frozen prepared meal manufacturer with award-winning food, for healthcare and complementary markets. The company offers a range of multi and single portion dishes to customers and patients.

It is owned independently by joint directors Paul Howell and Andrew Lone following a management buyout in July 2018

Ellen Clayton can be contacted by emailing ellen.clayton@angliacrown.co.uk

BRC Stamp of Approval for Oakland International’s Supply Chain and Value Added Services

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

BRC Stamp of Approval for Oakland International’s Supply Chain and Value Added Services

Louise Smith Oakland’s Head of Supply Chain Compliance and Accreditation

Retaining accreditation for well-over a decade, responsible family business Oakland International has maintained British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) quality standard for storage and distribution, securing a double ‘AA’ grade rating.

Head of Supply Chain Compliance and Accreditation, Louise Smith, stated: “This is a fantastic result for the team and I would like to thank them for all of their hard work which is so important in maintaining our Quality Standards, not just on audit day but on a year-round basis.”

Oakland International was one of the first businesses in their sector to achieve BRC accreditation which is internationally recognised as the ‘global standard’ for storage and distribution. The standard encompasses all actions undertaken that may affect safety, quality and legality of products handled and stored, with the standard viewed as a cross-function responsibility, wholly supported by the company’s senior management and team members.

Added Louise: “The heap of praise we received from the auditor covered our policies, procedures, layout and our warehouse process enhancements, and the willingness and friendliness of our team.

“Securing BRC’s AA rating is a clear endorsement for our customers and supply chain partners that they can have absolute faith in every area of Oakland’s operation from product safety, to quality and legality, they will not be compromised in any way.”

A multi temperature supply chain specialist, Oakland’s collaborative business approach with producers and retailers to optimise service, quality and consumer availability remains key to supplying UK, Irish and Spanish retail, discount, convenience and wholesale markets from the company’s UK and Irish facilities.

BIRDS EYE TARGETS FLEXITARIANS WITH MEAT-FREE READY MEALS

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

BIRDS EYE TARGETS FLEXITARIANS WITH MEAT-FREE READY MEALS

New range of vegetarian ready meals suits flexitarian trend; nutritious meals packed with vegetables and protein, with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives
Each individual portion is ready in just seven minutes from frozen to offer convenience and prevent wastage
Digital media campaign will launch in the New Year when people are at their most health conscious

Birds Eye has launched a new range of vegetarian ready meals, with its ‘Veggie Bowls’ set to capitalise on the growth of ‘flexitarian’ diets and provides shoppers with a simple, tasty way to eat nutritious meals. The new range, which includes delicious, internationally inspired modern recipes such as Asian Sweet & Sour Noodles and Moroccan Tagine, will be in store from early September. The four ready meals contain high levels of plant protein while being low in saturated fats, with no artificial colours flavours or preservatives.

With 29% of evening meals now ‘meat-free’[1] – totalling more than 200 million meals – vegetarian options are more popular than ever. Non-vegetarians now account for 59% of meat-free alternative products being eaten[2] and the new ‘Veggie Bowls’ range embraces this trend, helping retailers to capitalise on shoppers’ increasing desire for nutritious meals containing responsibly sourced ingredients.

Each bowl contains two of an individual’s daily recommended five portions of fruit or vegetables, as well as up to 19g of plant protein. The range is ready in just seven minutes from frozen and ensures that shoppers can stock up on vegetable dishes without the risk of food expiring and going to waste.

Alessandro Solazzi, Marketing Manager at Birds Eye, said: “At Birds Eye we know that shoppers are increasingly looking for more vegetable-based meals as they look for ways to reduce the amount of meat in their diet; the Veggie Bowl range has therefore been designed with simplicity in mind to give consumers exciting flavours through modern, recognisable recipes. We are also giving shoppers a convenient option, as the bowls come as individual portions that are ready from frozen in just seven minutes and the customer response to date has been really positive.”

Rolling out across Grocery from early September, the launch of the new range will be supported by a digital campaign including video-on-demand content. The campaign will target shoppers in January when the focus on healthy living is at its peak.

[1] Kantar, 2018

[2] Mintel, 2017

Foodservice frozen poultry industry leaders gain top accreditation

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Foodservice frozen poultry industry leaders gain top accreditation

Meadow Vale Foods are celebrating achieving the top AA grade in the BRC Global Standard for Agents and Brokers, the highest possible grade within the audit program. This rating exemplifies Meadow Vale Foods long standing commitment to food safety and product excellence and is a significant achievement. Nigel O’Donnell Meadow Vale Foods Managing Director explains “We can be very proud of the new double-A rating,” he said. “It has taken excellent team work, time and investment to get us here and it has been well worth the effort. It means we can demonstrate to all customers and potential customers that we adhere to the very highest standards and that we are committed to maintaining those standards day after day, year after year. Furthermore it supports our commitment to maintaining the very highest of standards in the Poultry industry which will give additional confidence to our customers in the wholesale, foodservice and retail industries.’ He went on to say “I’d like to thank and congratulate the Meadow Vale Foods team on securing this higher rating, together with our proven halal credentials & quality product range – it will help underpin our plans for product development and supply chain management in the years ahead.”

Country Range Launches Trio of Gluten Free Cakes

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Country Range Launches Trio of Gluten Free Cakes

Leading independent foodservice brand Country Range has strengthened its sensational selection of desserts in time for the busy festive period with the launch of three impressive gluten free cakes.

The three new luxurious free-from options – Country Range Frozen Handmade Carrot Cake, Country Range Frozen Handmade Chocolate Cake and Country Range Ultimate Sticky Toffee Pudding – will be available to caterers in October in time for the build up to Christmas and join the brand’s already stunning range of desserts.

With 13% of the population estimated to living a gluten free diet (Mintel), it’s vital that caterers offer a range of desserts that appeal to this growing audience and also still look and taste sensational.

Triple Threat Dessert Options

Country Range Handmade Carrot Cake – A moist round gluten free carrot cake filled and topped with sweet frosting and decorated with a sprinkling of hazelnut pieces. 1 x 14 pre-portioned

Country Range Handmade Chocolate Cake – A moist round gluten free chocolate sponge cake filled and topped with layers of chocolate fudge icing and decorated with a sprinkling of chocolate shavings. 1 x 14 pre-portioned

Country Range Ultimate Sticky Toffee Pudding – Sticky toffee heaven awaits you with this fabulous dessert! A rich gluten free, toffee and date steamed pudding heaped with sticky toffee sauce. Best served with whipped or clotted cream, and a dusting of icing sugar. 1 x 12 (160g) individual puddings

Martin Ward, Country Range Group Trading Director, said:

“More and more people are changing their lifestyle to a gluten free diet but that shouldn’t mean that they should miss out on tasty elegant desserts. Our three new launches are classics remastered so all can enjoy and as they are readymade they are ideal for caterers putting on festive parties and celebrations.”

About Country Range

With 25 years of heritage servicing the UK’s innovative foodservice sector, the Country Range Group is made up of 12 independent wholesalers – Birchall Foodservice, Caterite Foodservice, Creed Foodservice, Dunns Food and Drinks, EFG Foodservice, Harvest Fine Foods, Henderson Foodservice, Savona South West, Savona Foodservice, Thomas Ridley Foodservice, Trevors Foodservice and Turner & Price. In addition to offering the leading brands from around the globe, the Group also provides over 800 products, all developed exclusively for professional caterers under the Country Range brand. Covering grocery, chilled, frozen and non-food, Country Range is widely recognised by caterers as a trusted and reliable brand delivering consistent quality and value for money without compromising on taste and flavour.

Website: www.countryrange.co.uk

Twitter/Instagram: @countryrangeuk

Oakland International Appoints Group IT Director

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Oakland International Appoints Group IT Director

Shaun Devey, Oakland International’s new Group IT Director

Responsible family business and specialist UK and Ireland multi temperature supply chain operator Oakland International has appointed Shaun Devey as its Group IT Director, a new boardroom role focused on enhancing information technology across group operations.

Previously the winner of the Motor Transport Best Use of Technology Award, Devey has a strong strategic and operational business focus which will support Oakland’s aim of delivering technology innovation and change, improved operational performance and delivering value-added customer services. Bringing with him over 25 years of experience providing industry leading and award-winning technology within the services, retail and logistics sectors, Devey has held senior positions within a variety of organisations including Interserve PLC, Phones4u, ArrowXL and most recently the iForce Group.

Commenting he said: “Oakland International has a very exciting couple of years ahead as we mature the customer proposition, develop stronger strategic partnerships and transform the Group’s technology platforms. These developments are exciting and will significantly add to the bottom line, however I am also looking forward to being part of a business which really cares for its people and the social impact of the service we provide.

“Technology can support transformed value to our business, with leading business partners such as Oakland International being easy to integrate with and offering industry leading management information which helps inform business decisions and supports a seamless journey for our shared customers.”

A multi-award winner, Oakland International is a BRC accredited (for storage and distribution) business and a multi temperature distribution specialist providing contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution and brand development support for ambient, chilled and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets.

Oakland International Chief Executive and Co-Founder, Dean Attwell said: “I am delighted to welcome Shaun to the team. His extensive knowledge and exceptional technology sector experience will be a key asset as we focus on all aspects of strategic IT transformation across the Oakland Group.”

Having worked in and around the Redditch area for the last six years, Shaun commenting on his appointment added: “I am passionate about delivering industry leading technology, developing my team’s careers and skills, and I am very appreciative of the warm welcome I’ve received from the whole Oakland team.”

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