NFU Mutual Corporate Insurance win claims award

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

NFU Mutual Corporate Insurance win claims award

Congratulations to Associate Member NFU Mutual Corporate Insurance, who recently celebrated victory at the Insurance Post Claims Awards 2018, securing the Commercial Lines Team of the Year Award.

As a dedicated unit, the Corporate Insurance Claims Team at NFU Mutual have specialised in servicing the bespoke needs of large businesses within the food and drink supply chain for over 50 years.

The team won against other shortlisted companies AIG Europe and Direct Group, on the basis of outstanding performance, with factors including:

Record claims settlement, delivering faster and more efficient claims handling, and dedicated teams to help customers quickly and efficiently;
Record numbers of injured claimants helped by NFU Mutual’s Rehabilitation scheme, which benefits both the individual and the employer;
Developments that enable customers to address key risk factors and benchmark themselves against other similar businesses;
Significant detection and prevention of fraudulent claims, with two successful convictions from Counter-Fraud activity, delivering a clear message that NFU Mutual takes fraud seriously to protect its customers’ premiums;
All of this against the backdrop of a large increase to both client and claims numbers from the previous year.

Corporate Insurance Claims Manager Paul Harris commented, “When large businesses insure with us, they have peace of mind that we are there for them when they need us most. Our team is dedicated to offering a claims service that is second to none and delivers fantastic value to our customers, and this award recognises that fact.”

NFU Mutual Corporate Insurance has also launched a series of Member Benefits to BFFF members, including a Development Planning Advice service and discounted rates for Thermographic Risk assessment.

For more information on these exclusive benefits, click here, or to find out more about how they can help you with insurance and risk management services, contact corporate_enquiries@nfumutual.co.uk.

BRC Food Safety Issue 8 – A deep dive into the main changes

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

BRC Food Safety Issue 8 – A deep dive into the main changes

#BRC Issue 8 has arrived and features a number of enhancements.

Join SAI Global’s Technical Manager Yuksel Eyyuboglu for a free webinar on September 25th at 2pm BST and prepare your organisation for Issue 8 audits commencing February 2019.

@BRC_Standards #FoodSafety #webinar https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8979751439827466754?source=BFFF

SAI Global Live Webinar: BRC Food Safety Issue 8 – A deep dive into the main changes

Date: Tuesday, 25^th September

Time: 2pm-3pm BST

Cost: Free

Jobs boost at Rick Bestwick as business booms

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Jobs boost at Rick Bestwick as business booms

Rick Bestwick, the UK’s leading temperature controlled food storage specialist, is celebrating rapid growth with the addition of more than 30 permanent staff.

The new starters, at the firm’s Chesterfield headquarters, range from warehouse operatives to apprentices and managers.

Rick Bestwick, which is part of the Magnavale Group has undergone a transformative period since Colin Taylor joined the company in September 2017. With Colin forming a powerful duo with founder and co-owner Stuart Hancock, the company has gone from strength to strength and is now solidifying its position with additional staff.

Colin Taylor, CEO of Magnavale, said: “As our client base expands, our staff has to expand with it to guarantee our high service standards, and we are delighted to welcome our new colleagues on board. It’s an exciting time at Rick Bestwick, and as we continue to grow, we look forward to a bright future together.”

The new positions include 27 warehouse operatives which became essential due to rapid increases in demand for blast freezing and microwave tempering – services Rick Bestwick specialise in.

Rick Bestwick has the largest blast freezing capacity in the UK, a 1,200 tonne per week microwave capability, as well as plans to further automate and expand this offering in the near future.

Colin added: “The increased demand for these technologies and services runs in parallel with the demand for proper end to end logistics necessary for modern companies to scale, grow and simplify their operations, and it’s something our customers know we can provide.”

The coldstore expert has also launched two new apprenticeship schemes to grow future talent. They have seen Liam Talbot, become Rick Bestwick’s finance apprentice whilst Lauren Stapleton, is HR and business apprentice.

Lauren said: “I can tell I’m going to love it here and gain so much experience, I already have several professional training courses to look forward to.”

The recruitment drive at Chesterfield comes as Rick Bestwick wins several major export contracts and more than doubles its, already substantial, blast freezing capacity.

Colin added: “While this is a period of rapid growth, this is only the start of our ambitions, not just in Chesterfield, but also at our sites in Scunthorpe, Liverpool and Warrington.”

For more information about careers at Rick Bestwick, visit www.rickbestwick.com or call 01246 854999.

CREED LAUNCHES CHRISTMAS 2018

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

CREED LAUNCHES CHRISTMAS 2018 WITH PREMIUM PRODUCTS AND FINISHING IDEAS

Creed Foodservice, the leading regional delivered wholesaler has launched its Christmas 2018 range, featuring new premium meat cuts from its in-house butchery, along with easy to create but profitable recipe and finishing ideas as well as a range of delicious vegan and vegetarian alternative products.

Developed in partnership with Creed’s Executive Development Chef, Rob Owen, this year’s Creed Christmas range gives caterers a plenty of solutions to match their skills, budgets, preparation time and customer preferences, as Rob explains:

“From my experience in the catering trade, I know that it is challenging to develop Christmas menu ideas each year that are both profitable and can be finished consistently by the team. This year I have taken core products from the Creed range and then added some innovative ideas which are easy for customers to implement in their own kitchens.

“With quality butchery a big part of the Creed Foodservice business, our Mise en Place team is offering some different cuts of meat this year, as well as the very best turkeys of course, reflecting consumer trends to try something different. And the growing trend for vegan and vegetarian food is reflected this year too; we have some lovely products available for consumers who choose not to eat meat. Creed really has taken the headache out of Christmas for caterers and offered options for every type of menu.”

Get the Party Started – starter and party solutions

For starters and festive parties, Creed’s new range of Country Range buffet items, allows caterers to be creative with their offering. There’s plenty of choice reflecting world food trends, from crab croutons to spicy fusion chicken skewers as well as traditional smoked salmon and pâtés. Caterers can mix ‘n’ match to create a range of different cuisines and meet differing dietary requirements too.

The Main Event – marvellous meats

With quality meat a focal point of the Christmas menu and with consumers keen to try different cuts, Creed Foodservice is offering a versatile Mise en Place premium-branded Turkey Butterfly. This is a boned and stuffed turkey designed for easy carving and excellent looking on the plate.

As well as many other cuts and turkeys, Mise en Place is also offering Stuffed Pork Loin and Carvery Rib of Beef as this year’s indulgent alternatives to traditional turkey.

The Sweetest Touch – puddings to love

There’s a comprehensive range of ready to thaw and use desserts, individual cakes and puddings. New for this year are on-trend desserts and flavours including a Country Range Salted Caramel Cream Bar Gateau that’s pre-cut for convenience and portion control or a new Champagne and Strawberry Basket.

A Very Vegan Christmas!

The growing demand for meat free dishes doesn’t stop at Christmas and Creed is supporting customers in catering for both vegetarians and vegans. New additions to Creed’s vegan range this year, include desserts such as Pineapple and Carrot Cake, Country Range Chocolate Orange Pudding and Fudge Cake (also gluten free), along with Penang Curry from last year which makes an inspiring alternative to a Christmas Nut Roast!

www.creedfoodservice.co.uk

Have a Very Vegan Christmas

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Have a Very Vegan Christmas

Bidfood Launches 2018 Festive Range

The Christmas from Bidfood 2018 range has been unveiled, showcasing innovative food and drink products inspired by this year’s hottest food trends. The range includes the first festive selection of vegan dishes and desserts, in response to latest statistics suggesting there are now around 3.5million vegans in the UK alone[1].

This year’s offering has been designed with operators in mind, acknowledging the increasing pressure they are under to meet demand for vegan variety. Bidfood has focussed on providing a wealth of plant-based buffet nibbles and mains, but the real stars of the show are the desserts. Decadent festive options include, Premium Selection Belgian Chocolate and Raspberry Torte, Honeybuns Mincemeat Crumble Citrus Traybake and Lemon Swirl Cheesecake, as well as a delicious selection of non-dairy ice creams, with flavours ranging from blueberry to Swedish glace.

It’s not just vegan diners that will be having all the fun. This year’s Festive Flavours dessert range is set to dazzle with a new collection of cheesecakes, featuring tempting flavours such as Espresso Martini, Buck’s Fizz, Mandarin & Cranberry, Banoffee Salted Caramel Crunch and Christmas Pudding, perfect for serving with indulgent Yarde Farm ice cream.

Furthermore, Bidfood’s Farmstead meat range has this year launched Farmstead Frozen, offering customers a number of raw, butchery-style frozen products including turkey, just in time for Christmas.

The chilled Farmstead range also features new single serve festive joints such as turkey roulades filled with cranberry and apple stuffing and wrapped in Prosciutto, and individual turkey cushions with pomegranate and orange stuffing bursting with evocative flavours of the season.

Laura Mason, Campaign Manager at Bidfood commented: “We’re really excited to reveal this year’s Christmas range. We’ve worked hard to expand the variety of foods we offer to meet the demand we’ve seen from our customers for more than just the traditional Christmas fare.

“Whilst the holiday season will always be about indulgence and fun festive flavours, there’s more of a call than ever for products that reflect wider market trends. From world flavour influences, to vegan and free-from options, this year’s collection is about catering for everyone.

“With the significant jump in the UK vegan population[2] we are keen to ensure we have strong choices for this area of the market, particularly when it comes to desserts.

“Christmas is all about everyone being able to come together and enjoy, without the need for restrictions and limitations!

“We have also expanded our on-the-go range in line with insight that the convenience sector continues to grow[3] – from Proper Cornish Pasties with turkey and cranberry to individually wrapped We Love Cake Stollen Slices, there’s a little something for everyone on the move at the busiest time of the year.

[1] Compare The Market (2018)

[2] Compare The Market (2018)

[3] Global Data, Convenience Retailing In The UK (2017)

ACM Environmental and Brakes win coveted MRW National Recycling Award 2018

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

ACM Environmental and Brakes win coveted MRW National Recycling Award 2018

A long-standing and successful partnership between pioneering waste management company, ACM Environmental plc and Brakes, leading grocery and fresh food supplier to the foodservice industry has been rewarded with a superb victory at this year’s National Recycling Awards.

Beating off some extremely strong competition, ACM and Brakes were victorious in the Waste Reduction Initiative – Commercial category and were highly praised by the judging panel, which said “Our judges said the winners have done something different, thought outside the box, put clear processes in place and taken the business to the next level.”

Travis Way, Operations Director at ACM Environmental said: “We are delighted that the hard work we have undertaken with Brakes has paid off and been recognised by such a prestigious Awards.

We have worked in partnership with Brakes to help implement an environmentally-sound waste management strategy and to see them achieve such impressive results is extremely gratifying.”

Barrie Nash, UK Environmental Manager, Brakes said: “Ensuring that we minimise our impact on the environment is one of Brakes’ key sustainability pillars. We want to play our part in protecting the planet and our partnership with ACM is about looking for innovative solutions that help us achieve that. We’re delighted that the judges have recognised the procedures we’ve put in place.”

With 19 targeted categories, the awards cover every aspect of the recycling and waste management industry, from Food Waste Initiative to Recycling Excellence.

The MRW National Recycling Awards 2018 aims to recognise and celebrate best practice and innovation in recycling and waste management. The awards provide industry recognition and unrivalled networking opportunities.

Andrea Lockerbie, Associate Editor of MRW said: “This year’s winners showcase the innovation and creative thinking being applied by those who are leading the way in the field of resource and waste management. There is a lot that others can learn from them.”

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