Page 403 — British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF)

SIGNIFICANT GROWTH REPORTED AT LEADING WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT, ERP AND SOP SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST

Posted on July 14, 2021January 9, 2026 by Rob Sherwin

Warehouse, distribution and supply chain management software specialist Principal Logistics Technologies continues to enjoy exponential growth across a wide number of industry sectors for a variety of reasons: Pharmaceuticals and healthcare, due to continued compliance, food distribution operations, due to changes in delivery mechanisms as a result of Covid and Brexit, and in retail operations experiencing significant growth and challenges in omnichannel delivery. The recent acquisition of Brentech Data Systems brought with it AWARDS, a modular software suite delivering sales and purchase order processing (SOP) management to warehouse and distribution businesses that handle and sell products directly.

The company has recently appointed Lorcan Tiernan as Non-executive Chairman of the Principal Group. Tiernan along with his firm, Dillon Eustace, provided legal advice and guidance relating to the Brentech acquisition. Tiernan commented “I’m delighted to be a part of the team helping to guide this proven and progressive organisation”. Tiernan continued “In addition to serving and growing its existing customer base, Principal has the financial backing to help grow the business through further acquisition. I am particularly looking forward to working with the Principal team to make this a reality.”

The company has also doubled its headcount since May 2020 with the hiring of numerous skilled and industry-aware technical staff. These include 3PL warehouse and supply chain software expert Mike Cox who joins as Chief Product Officer. Cox brings over 25 years’ product development experience to the business. Additionally, ERP and WMS expert, Declan O’Loughlin joins as Product Development Manager for AWARDS. O’Loughlin has over 20 years’ experience in developing software solutions addressing complex customer needs.

Peter Flanagan, Principal Logistics Technologies‘ founder and managing director, commented “AWARDS complements our In-DEX WMS warehouse management software offering perfectly. Whilst In-DEX WMS enables third-party logistics operators and others to manage their stock in, through and out of their warehouses, AWARDS means that we can support warehouse and distributor operators, such as pharmaceuticals and healthcare distributors, to address their complex sales and stock ordering scenarios”. Flanagan continued “Our software technology also provides much needed functionality enabling sales staff to generate increased revenue. We are now a team of over 35 industry professionals delivering targeted, operations optimising and revenue-generating solutions to businesses across the UK, Ireland, Europe and Australasia.”

About Principal Logistics Technologies
Principal Logistics Technologies delivers innovative, functionally rich, warehouse management software (WMS), SOP and ERP technology solutions to 3PL logistics, supply chain warehouse and distributors. Its in-house developed technology optimises warehouse operation performance, reducing OpEx and increasing revenue. In-DEX WMS and AWARDS are relied on by businesses spanning industries including 3PL and logistics, chemicals and hazardous goods, chill picking, cold storage, cross docking, eCommerce, FMCG and grocery, hard and soft commodities, healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, retail, wholesale & distribution and more.

NEW INTEGRATION PARTNER: PLANGLOW

Posted on July 14, 2021 by

2021 has gotten off to a great start for Erudus, not least because we have some game-changing partnerships and projects coming up. We’re excited to now be able to announce the first – our integration partnership with market-leading supplier of labelling software, Planglow.

With Natasha’s Law coming into play later this year, labelling has never been more in the spotlight, and Planglow offers food labels, label printing software and compostable packaging solutions for the food industry.

“Our aim is to increase our customers’ sales by helping them to provide accurate product information with professional presentation” explains Neil Steadman, Planglow’s National Accounts Director. Product information, of course, is our modus operandi here at Erudus, making this integration the perfect fit.

Here’s everything you need to know about our new partnership with Planglow….

Labelling is the name of the game for Planglow

Neil Steadman says: “Caterers can create and print their own branded food labels using our easy-to-use labelling app and a desktop printer. From basic product information through to barcodes, Q.U.I.D.S, nutritional data, Reference Intakes and allergen information as well as linking to other menu software programs, we ensure their labelling is always compliant.”

But they’re big on green packaging too

Neil says: “We offer a wide selection of eye-catching labels which can be paired with our compostable packaging for a complete branded look. This ranges from compostable coffee cups and sandwich packs to take-away boxes, buffet trays and everything in between.”

Four decades in and Planglow are still hitting new labelling heights

Neil says: “The company is 35 years old and we’ve pioneered labelling software in our field since the very beginning. In 2016 we took our labelling expertise online, launching our multi-award winning app LabelLogic Live, which allows busy Caterers to quickly and easily produce their own legally compliant labelling without any specialist equipment (just an internet-connected device – computer, laptop, mobile or tablet – and a standard desktop printer).”

Planglow share much in common with Erudus

Neil says: “The Erudus and Planglow ethoses are very similar and we are delighted to partnering with a company whose trusted data expertise supports our own.”

They believe Erudus is the perfect partner for their labelling app

Neil says: “We’re now able to integrate the Erudus database of more than 35K branded food and drink products with (our labelling app) LabelLogic Live so that users can calculate and add nutritional data relating to these specific brand items to their own product labels. So, for example, a Caterer using Heinz mayonnaise in their sandwiches has access to a full ingredient declaration and nutritional breakdown relating to that specific mayonnaise.”

Caterers are the real winners in this partnership

Neil says: “With Erudus’s support we’ve been able to complement the existing capabilities of our own software to create an enhanced labelling solution for Caterers using branded products in their food to go items.”

And Erudus think it couldn’t be more timely…

Erudus COO Jon Shyaler says: “Planglow do great work, and I’m excited about the gains our mutual customers are going to enjoy as a result of their partnership with Erudus. Planglow’s LabelLogic Live label printing is the crucial kind of solution that’s going to help Caterers adapt to the upcoming Natasha’s Law, and the forward thinking of integrating it with our Data Pool means Caterers can benefit from multiple efficiencies and benefits that will ultimately be passed on to their customers. Welcome to the Erudus fold, Planglow.”

CONSISTENCY OF HOUSEHOLD AND BUSINESS RECYCLING COLLECTIONS

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

The Federation has responded to the recent consultation from Government on establishing an improved consistency in collections of waste from households and business premises.

As many members are aware there is a woeful lack of consistency across England with each Local Authority having their own policies.

The aim of the consultation is to get much improved consistency which is vital if we, as an industry, are to meet the targets being set by Government under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging.

Our major concern when reviewing the consultation was that there were many questions that indicated that Government wanted to give Local Authorities more latitude to delay improvements. This was not the case with the EPR consultation where industry was not offered the same levels of delay.

We were supported in our response by INCPEN and the Packaging Federation plus a number of other trade associations.

Our stance was that Local Authorities must be held accountable and that all timings for improvement must be aligned with EPR. As industry will be paying up to £9.5bn into the proposed EPR system, so it is vital we see improvements in the consistency of all waste collections.

If any member would like to see a copy of our responses to either the Collections or EPR Consultation then please contact Siobhan.

Fire Alarm Systems & Automatic Fire Alarm calls

Posted on July 14, 2021January 9, 2026 by


Many of you reading this will be sitting in an office either in a purpose-built office block or within a factory unit and may well have extensive fire alarm systems around you, but what are the bare minimum requirements and how are they interpreted. Fire alarm systems fall into three categories as laid down in B.S. 5839:2017 Pt 1. M, These are manual systems and, therefore, incorporate no automatic fire detectors. This would normally be manual call points. L, Systems that are automatic fire detection and alarm systems intended for the protection of life. Systems are sub-divided to allow varying amounts of cover with the building. P, These are detection and alarm systems intended for the protection of property. These are also sub-divided for the amount of coverage.
So what is the bare minimum?…..5839 states that common places of work such as offices, shops factories and warehouses should have a category M or P2/M system fitted….Category M systems normally satisfies the requirements of legislation. It is however, often combined with a Category P system to satisfy the requirements of insurers, as company policy for the protection of assets, or to protect against business interruption.
	So let’s break this down further, the standard states that when a ‘M’ system is utilised, manual call points need to be prominently sited, readily distinguishable and be distributed such that from any point in the building, it is impossible to leave the storey or building without passing one. Furthermore no one should need travel more than between 30 & 45 metres before they reach a call point. This can be reduced further for high-risk processes. This system relies on someone discovering a fire and raising the alarm.
Category ‘P’ systems as already stated are for the protection of property or assets and not for life safety, therefore although they do have to raise an alarm somewhere, for example a call centre, it does not have to extensively raise the alarm at the source, as the purpose of the system is to minimise the time between ignition and the arrival of firefighters.P1 systems would be installed throughout all areas of the building & P2 would be utilised in defined parts of the building such as high fire risk areas or parts where there is a risk to business continuity.
All that being said, the total combination of the two systems.ie the detection of the P system being linked to the alarm raising capabilities of the M system would effectively turn the system into Category L system in all but name and enable the occupier to have confidence that the lives of their staff and visitors should be protected.
Automatic Fire Alarm Calls (AFA)
In recent years in light of some very high-profile incidents, statistical evidence showed that up to 98% of all AFA calls are false alarms and the continuing push to reduce unwanted fire calls, Fire Services around the UK have introduced policies within their own areas that restrict the levels of attendance either during certain times of the day or in some cases completely to certain types of premises that include factories and offices unless there is a confirmed fire. The main target for this is when a call is received but the only response is that the fire alarm has gone off, as would be the case with a property linked to a call centre.
	One of the reasons for this is the large number of resources, that may be as simple as a single appliance up to multiple pumping appliances plus specialist appliances and high reach vehicles, utilised to something that can be a simple as a fault on the system of someone burning their toast in their lunch break.Fire Service control centres will now follow up a call with the question ‘can you see smoke or flames’ and if the answer is no, then there may be no attendance unless the property is exempt under the local services policy.
If you are linked to a call centre or have procedures whereby a receptionist may phone, then you will need robust procedures to ensure should you receive a call from your Automatic Receiving Centre (ARC) and you know the site is unoccupied, the site is visited ASAP or CCTV is utilised to ensure there is no fire. Remember that not all fire services work in the same way, and this is only for incidents that cannot confirm a fire. *Brian DeanPrimary Authority Manager, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service***

Employee Killed in Electrical Incident

Posted on July 14, 2021January 9, 2026 by Sarah Collison

In 2019 at our annual Health and Safety Conference we were joined by Louise Taggart, whose 26 year old brother Michael was killed as the result of basic health and safety failings at work in 2005. He was electrocuted when he cut through a cable labelled ‘not in use’, which was in fact wired into a distribution board. A lockout system, costing a few pence, was not used to isolate a circuit he was working on. Read the full story here

Louise has campaigned for years to educate workers and their employers about the devastating affects of these wholly preventable incidents but unfortunately lessons still haven’t been learnt.

HSE have reported the following tragic story that is so very similar to that of Michael’s from nearly 16 years ago.

Louise continues to raise awareness and educate by sharing Michaels Story

Employee killed in electrical incident

A warehouse management solutions company has been fined after an employee was electrocuted while servicing an air compressor.

Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard that on 8 December 2017, Andrew Meade was carrying out pre-planned maintenance on an air compressor at a distribution centre in Gravesend, when he was electrocuted. He was not found for more than an hour following the incident. His injuries were fatal.

Investigating, the HSE found that the control measures in place to prevent contact with electricity during maintenance activities were not suitable or sufficient. The electrical systems had not been tested or visually inspected since installation, and an incorrect isolating switch had not been identified.

Logistex Limited of Kettering Parkway, Kettering, Northamptonshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £180,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £23,358.16.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Joanne Williams said: “Poorly maintained electrical installations and faulty electrical appliances can kill or severely injure people; and cause damage to property.

“This was a wholly avoidable incident, caused by the failure of the company to implement safe systems of work and identify the risks. Had the company identified the correct isolation point for the compressor and ensured that employees were sufficiently trained and supervised in the lock off procedures expected of them then this fatal incident would not have occurred.”

HSE
July 2021

SIGNIFICANT SHORTAGES OF LABOUR ACROSS MANY PARTS OF THE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN

Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

As members will be aware there are significant shortages of labour across many parts of the food supply chain.

As widely covered in the news media (and in last week’s weekly email update) we are faced with a significant shortage of HGV drivers which is already having a visible impact on the supply chain into both Retailers and Food Service. The extension of drivers’ hours will make a small impact, but it will not resolve the fundamental issue. However, it is not just a shortage of HGV drivers that is a cause for concern – we are hearing of many skill shortages such as engineers and indeed labour in general possibly impacting harvests and food production.

The Federation is working with a number of other trade bodies in communicating the issues and impact to Government.

We will be asking members for information and, whilst we appreciate this takes time out of your busy schedules, it is vital we get the information so we can push Government to create policy to help address these issues.

Access the survey here:

Establishing the labour availability issues of the UK food sector – Information request 12.07.21

Establishing the labour availability issues of the UK food sector – Information Request1 12.07.21

Alternatively, please contact Siobhan O’Callaghan

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