GS1 UK launches productDNA

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

GS1 UK launches productDNA

John Martin, Head of productDNA at GS1 UK opening the Verification Centre

GS1 UK says new product data service is ready for retailers and suppliers to share and manage product data
productDNA Verification Centre opens, providing new levels of product data verification for industry

Not-for-profit standards organisation GS1 UK has launched its new grocery product data service on behalf of its members; represented by the Industry Charter of 12 leading retailers and suppliers, including Tesco, Ocado and Unilever. productDNA has been designed by this industry-wide group and offers a universal format to share and manage trusted product data, faster and more efficiently; tackling the current industry problems of inaccurate and inconsistent data.

The service aims to deliver accurate and consistent data by capturing, managing and distributing information in a uniform manner that can readily be accessed and shared by all parties in the supply chain. The productDNA service is comprised of three main components: a new industry data model for suppliers to share product data with retailers in a consistent format with standardised attributes; a cloud-based secure product catalogue and an independent physical product verification to ensure accuracy of product data.

The service defines and manages more than 150 industry-agreed data attributes for products across the grocery sector, including physical product data such as dimensions, weight and volume, as well as ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information.

The product data is owned by suppliers, allowing suppliers to freely share data without third-party commercial constraints, and all the data attributes follow rules established by GS1 global standards.

Marking the official launch of the service, GS1 unveiled its new productDNA Verification Centre managed in partnership with XPO Logistics.

Speaking about the launch of productDNA, Gary Lynch, the chief executive of GS1 UK said, “The grocery sector has spent years grappling with the transfer of data. productDNA sets out agreed processes and data rules, based on the common need to improve product data quality and efficient sharing across the retail industry. We’re excited to have created productDNA in partnership with our members to address these issues and look forward to its adoption by the industry.”

GS1 UK is managing productDNA on behalf of the industry, through its Retail Grocery Advisory Board, whose members represent almost 80% of the UK retail grocery market. A number of major retailers and suppliers have helped to create productDNA and early adopters are set to be announced shortly.

The launch is the latest announcement in a project which has been ongoing since last summer. In July 2017, GS1 UK announced leading grocery retailers and brands had committed to an industry charter for a common approach to product data management. The scope of the new productDNA offer was unveiled in December 2017.

All retailers and suppliers are invited to register their interest from today at: www.gs1uk.org/productDNA.

Celsius showcased to new and existing customers at successful FOODex event in Birmingham

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Celsius showcased to new and existing customers at successful FOODex event in Birmingham

Cerulean demonstrated their latest accurate and sustainable equipment to attendees at the NEC from 16th – 18th April 2018.

The UK’s premier trade event for food processing, packaging and logistics was well attended and visitors had the opportunity to visit the Cerulean stand, featuring a fully operational Celsius Midi and C-Dass, to simulate running and capturing data in real-time.

Celsius measures the average temperature of foodstuffs in the range -30°C to +30°C and displays and logs these readings for the operator. A temperature log can be recalled for full traceability of measurements. Results are automatically sent to a SQL database (Cerulean’s C-Dass software) for analysis with no physical data trail, eliminating any human error. The non-destructive nature of Celsius also eliminates the need to remove any packaging.

Visitors to the Cerulean stand found the Celsius process user-friendly – simply loading the sample, closing the door and an automatic reading function delivering results on a visual display panel within seconds.

Mark McMahon, Cerulean Area Sales Manager, was on hand to demonstrate the equipment at the event, he said,

“FOODex was a great chance for us to catch up with some of our existing customers and demonstrate our capabilities to attendees who may not have seen our equipment before. Celsius is already improving the sustainability footprint of manufacturers across the country and we understand it is more critical than ever for UK businesses to obtain accurate and reliable data.

We thoroughly enjoyed speaking to attendees about the benefits of our non-destructive approach and it was our pleasure to support the shows aims of improving traceability, consumer trust and transforming industry productivity”.

BLUE CUBE MOVES TO REDUCE GWP OF ITS PRODUCTS

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

BLUE CUBE MOVES TO REDUCE GWP OF ITS PRODUCTS

Leading temperature controlled storage solutions supplier continues roll out of new refrigerants in its equipment to reduce GWP and improve efficiencies.

Leading suppliers of rental temperature controlled storage solutions for the food, pharmaceutical, logistics and manufacturing industries, Blue Cube Portable Cold Stores (tel: 0333 3202620; www.bluecubepcs.co.uk) – part of The Turner Group – is moving to more efficient and lower GWP refrigerants in a push on their environmental sustainability targets.

In a move prompted by increasing costs of the R404A refrigerant all of Blue Cube’s latest generation equipment is manufactured with lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) HFO blends whilst drop-ins are replacing existing refrigerants across current fleet units.

These steps will not only benefit Blue Cube customers by reducing costs and environmental impact but goes towards their target to actively seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The newer refrigerants show up to a 64% reduction in GWP whilst offering up to 8% lower energy consumption and improved environmental properties.

Steve Blakemore, Managing Director comments “we will continually strive to develop the most energy efficient equipment we can that will contribute, long term, to the quality of the environment”

“This not only demonstrates Blue Cube’s commitment to the environment but helps reduce our customer’s costs and carbon footprint” he concludes.

Established in 2009, Staffordshire-based Blue Cube offers a wide range of technologically advanced, eco-friendly temperature controlled storage solutions including blast freezers, blast chillers, portable cold stores and tempering units. The company provides both standard and bespoke rental systems to suit individual performance and budgetary requirements.

As well as rental, the company offers lease to buy options and ex-fleet units for purchase.

apetito signs up to world-leading pact to tackle plastic pollution

Posted on May 29, 2018October 1, 2020 by chris.aston@apetito.co.uk

apetito signs up to world-leading pact to tackle plastic pollution

apetito, the UK’s leading creator and supplier of meals to the health and social care sector, has today joined several of the UK’s leading brands to help tackle the growing issue of single-use plastic packaging.

The UK Plastics Pact, will aim to transform the plastic packaging system in the UK. Its purpose will be to keep plastic in the economy and out of the ocean. Launched today by sustainability experts, WRAP, the objective will see a unique mix of businesses across the plastics value chain, along with the UK government and NGOs, come together to tackle the unavoidable issue of plastic waste.

apetito, joins 41 other businesses, including major food & drink manufacturers, retailers and packaging suppliers, in pledging a commitment to the Pact. The forward-thinking group have committed to hit a series of ambitious targets by 2025:

Eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use plastic packaging through redesign, innovation or alternative (re-use) delivery models
100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable
70% of plastic packaging effectively recycled or composted
30% average recycled content across all plastic packaging

Commenting on the decision to join the UK Plastics Pact, Laura Hardman, apetito’s Ethical and Sustainable Manager, said, “We are excited to be part of this collaboration of like-minded industry partners. By coming together and taking a systemic approach, we will focus on the causes of this truly global problem and take real action to tackle plastic waste. At apetito it is our mission to make a real difference to the people we serve, the issues that matter most to them and to play our part in protecting and respecting the environment we all depend upon.”

The UK Plastics Pact is the first of its kind in the world. It will be replicated in other countries to form a powerful global movement for change as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative.

Marcus Gover, CEO of WRAP, also commented, “Together, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rethink and reshape the future of plastic so that we retain its value, and curtail the damage plastic waste wreaks on our planet. This requires a wholescale transformation of the plastics system and can only be achieved by bringing together all links in the chain under a shared commitment to act. That is what makes the UK Plastics Pact unique. It unites everybody, business and organisation with a will to act on plastic pollution. We will never have a better time to act, and together we can.”

New managing director to head up Reed Boardall’s transport division

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

New managing director to head up Reed Boardall’s transport division

Graeme Richardson (left), managing director of Reed Boardall’s transport division, with Andrew Baldwin, managing director of the cold storage division

Yorkshire-based temperature controlled storage and distribution business Reed Boardall has appointed Graeme Richardson as managing director of its transport division.

With expertise in operations management, logistics and supply chain management, Graeme joins from National Holidays Ltd where he was a director. Previously, he spent five years with Tesco in a variety of roles including as area distribution manager for the North and as primary manager – national rail operations. Prior to that, Graeme was regional planning manager with Eddie Stobart for almost five years.

In his new role with Reed Boardall, Graeme will be seeking to grow the business by winning new customer contracts as well as looking for further operational improvements and efficiencies.

Marcus Boardall, deputy chief executive, said: “With his strong track record in transport and experience of working within the retail sector, Graeme will bring fresh insight to our transport operation. He will be focussing on finding new opportunities and helping us to be even better at what we do. Working alongside Andrew Baldwin, managing director of our cold storage division, we have a great team in place to take the business forward.”

Commenting on his appointment, Graeme said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to move back into transport and to work for one of the leading refrigerated logistics companies in the UK. I’m really looking forward to being part of a family business where I can make a real difference.

“Reed Boardall offers a unique proposition. With 25 years of experience behind it, it has evolved to meet customers’ changing needs and provide a reliable, integrated cold storage and transport solution. Despite turbulence in the sector, it has remained steady and I believe we have a great opportunity to build on our position of strength.”

Graeme joins Reed Boardall’s five-strong management board comprising founder and chief executive, Keith Boardall; his son Marcus, deputy chief executive; Andrew Baldwin, managing director of the cold storage division; and Sarah Roberts, finance director.

Reed Boardall is one of the largest temperature controlled food distribution businesses in the UK, storing and delivering frozen food from manufacturers across Britain, Europe and further afield to all the UK’s best-known supermarkets. Operating 24/7, its 170-strong fleet of vehicles moves an average of 12,000 pallets a day and it stores around £100m worth of products on behalf of its customers. It employs over 750 staff at its single site in Boroughbridge, Yorkshire.

BIRDS EYE COMPLETES ITS ACQUISITION OF GOODFELLA’S

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

BIRDS EYE COMPLETES ITS ACQUISITION OF GOODFELLA’S

Birds Eye has completed its acquisition of Goodfella’s, bringing the iconic frozen pizza label, along with a retailer own brand range, under the Birds Eye umbrella.

Inspired by the traditional pizzerias of New York, Goodfella’s was the first major frozen pizza brand in the UK, where it launched in 1993. With the category up 4.9% YOY [IRI and Kantar World Panel, 52 we March 2018], and the brand holding a market share of 18%, Goodfella’s has helped grow the frozen pizza market over its 25-year history, with 7.7 million British households now shopping the brand annually.

The acquisition of Goodfella’s will also see Birds Eye’s total share of the frozen savoury category increase from 15% to around 20%, further solidifying Birds Eye’s position as the leading frozen brand committed to quality, innovation and iconic freezer staples.

Wayne Hudson, Birds Eye UK managing director, comments: “The acquisition of Goodfella’s is an exciting step forward for the brand, and a natural addition to our current portfolio. Goodfella’s is a well-established, iconic brand with a great range of products the nation trust and love, so we’re looking forward to welcoming our new pizza colleagues to Birds Eye.”

“We’re also excited by the strong portfolio of own label ranges, which combined with Goodfella’s, will give us a strong position in the pizza category and help further drive our vision of growing the total frozen category.”

As an example of its long history of innovation in the category, Goodfella’s recently introduced a frozen vegan pizza, catering to the growing number of meat-free and vegan diets.

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