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ICELAND’S FRIDGEABLE TO SAVE PEOPLE MONEY

The launch of Iceland’s ‘Fridgeable’ labeling has opened up access to great value frozen food to the estimated 1 in 10 households (2.8 million people) in the UK who live in appliance poverty without a freezer1.

Fridgeable labeling helps to educate consumers on which frozen foods can be put straight into the fridge and how long those foods can be kept in the fridge after defrosting. It also helps families living without a freezer or with far too little freezer space to save money by accessing frozen food, which is often cheaper than the fresh equivalent.

Research shows the average family weekly food shop is £60, however a family without the right appliances can expect to spend 43% more because they cannot buy in bulk or buy frozen goods2. Frozen food has the potential to save families over a thousand pounds a year and Iceland’s aim is to make that potential a reality by making its trademarked Fridgeable logo and various other assets freely available to other retailers and brands.

Andrew Staniland, Trading Director of Iceland Foods, said: “Fridgeable is a unique concept in frozen food and launching this is a particularly proud moment for me as it is another way that we can help reduce the cost of putting food on the table for those without a freezer.”

“We are so passionate about the far reaching benefits of Fridgeable that we are offering this game changing idea to our competitors and to frozen food brands for free – the more organisations that adopt this, the bigger the positive impact will be.”

The initial launch of Fridgeable is across 15 products in our frozen meat and burgers category in time for the summer season and all the products have a 24 hour timer on them. Iceland is aiming to roll out Fridgeable across all applicable own brand ranges and its initial goals are to increase amount of time people can store products in the fridge to up to 72 hours and to at least double the size of the range in the year ahead.

Fridgeable assets are available for download on the Iceland website, alongside guidance for their use and contact details for those requiring  further guidance on implementation. Iceland has also kicked off a stakeholder advocacy and outreach campaign aimed at trade and frozen category influencers as well as relevant suppliers, outlining the concept and offering of guidance and assets to support interested brands and organisations with using Fridgeable on pack.

OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL TO EXTEND FREE FROM FOOD AWARDS SUPPORT

Total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International has extended their support and commitment to the Free From Food Awards going forward, the only UK award for the ‘free from’ food and drink sector.

This year’s winner of the Retailer of the Year award in May was ASDA, and taking the top spot for the first time.

Oakland International Co-Founder, Sallie Attwell, commented: “Working within the food supply chain, we are extremely proud to have supported the Free From Food Awards from an early stage.

“As a business offering consolidation, contract packing and distribution we continue to experience free from food retail growth across all service platforms with the sector enjoying amazing success, growing and expanding to meet consumer demand, offering a much wider selection of free from food choices. With major supermarkets now recognising there is significant demand and need for innovation within this specialist sector, the free from food industry’s future shines bright.”

Sponsoring the Retailer of the Year award for 8-years, food and drinks award winners are seen as benchmarks in the sector, with major supermarkets competing equally. Oakland International has now extended their support to include the 2021 Free From Christmas Awards, sponsoring the Christmas Range of the Year award and into 2022 for Retailer of the Year.

Free From Food Awards CEO Cressida Langlands commented: “Our sponsors bring variety to the awards and help us collectively recognise the wider nature of the industry in which we work. They ensure the awards remain inclusive, profiling not only great quality and innovative products and brands but the companies and people that work behind the scenes, helping brands realise their ambition, from allergen testing to distribution.

“Oakland International were our very first sponsor of the Retailer of the Year Award back in 2014 and we are delighted that this coveted award is now synonymous with them.

“Their service is the ‘quiet’ bit of the food sector, storage, packing, distribution, and more recently online fulfilment which plays a crucial role in accelerating growth for new businesses, yet their services are an essential component of today’s retail landscape. It is an absolute pleasure to work with such a people focused partner.”

BRCGS AA rated, Oakland International operates 24-hours/7 days a week and is a D2C/B2C/B2B specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution and a brand development support provider for ambient, chilled and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK, Ireland and via their partner in Spain.

The Free From Food Awards reflect the extensive growth in the Free From market, with a wide variety of products now a familiar site on retailer shelves. Judges include developers and manufacturers, chefs, health professionals, bloggers and influencers, many of whom are coeliac or managing complex food allergies.

THREE LIONS ON A STORE – ICELAND SHOWS SUPPORT FOR ENGLAND BY RENAMING LOCAL WEMBLEY STORE

It really is ‘three lions on a store’ as Iceland renames its Wembley store on Central Square, London to ‘ENGLAND’ ahead of the semi-final head-to-head with Denmark tonight at 8pm.

Supermarket Iceland wears its heart on its sign with the iconic name change, embodying the Land of Hope and Glory, ahead of what could be the first major tournament final for England since the 1966 World Cup, if tonight goes to plan.

Whether you’re off to the pub, Wembley or ‘Waterloo with your mum, dad and gran and a bucket of vindaloo’, we’re all behind Southgate’s team, especially the newly christened England Wembley.

Not only has the iconic red and white sign been changed to read ‘ENGLAND’ in place of Iceland (as there is only room for one country in Wembley tonight), England’s unofficial anthem ‘it’s coming home’ is blazoned across the fascia to allow shoppers to get game ready all day along.

For shoppers looking to bring it home, Iceland has reintroduced its Home Delivery vans declaring ‘It’s coming home!’ for one day only…unless the boys make it to the final (no pressure).

Iceland and The Food Warehouse also have the answer to football fans needs with two £5 deals, as unmissable as tonight’s match. For just a fiver, saving customers up to £3.50, Iceland shoppers can get two Chicago Town Pizzas plus a four pack of Budweiser Beer Bottles or Pepsi Max No Sugar 8 Pack, the deal has been extended until 11th July to celebrate England’s success in the Euros (so far!).

Also on offer are the  delicious Fully Loaded Fries – the ultimate half-time Euro’s snack – with two packs for just £5.

The products included in the mouth-watering are Fully Loaded Triple Pepperoni Pizza Fries (£3.00, 510g), Fully Loaded Fried Chicken & Waffle Fries (£3.00,510g), Fully Loaded Hotdog Fries (£3.00, 510g) and Fully Loaded BBQ Bacon Waffle Fries (£3.00, 510g). The deal is available now

For more information about Iceland’s ranges ideal for a night in watching the game, please visit: www.iceland.co.uk

 

RESEARCH FINDS NEW PLASMA PACKAGING STERILISATION TECHNOLOGY TO DRAMATICALLY REDUCE DOWNTIME

Experts from Campden BRI and Sterafill have recently found the plasma technology to cut pre- and re-sterilisation times down by up to 93% compared to traditional methods – potentially saving manufacturers significant time with this process.

The research has successfully proven the application of cold plasma technology for continuous packaging sterilisation, potentially revolutionising the world of aseptic packaging by introducing this fourth state of matter.

Plasma technology has a number of advantages over traditional systems for this application. The cold plasma packaging sterilisation system will take up significantly less floor space, allow manufacturers to adjust packaging during the run without compromising the aseptic zone and reduce downtime with its rapid re-sterilisation process.  There is also no need for the use or storage of hazardous chemicals.

The project, funded by Innovate UK, has allowed the teams to develop the world’s first commercial sterilisation system using plasma technology.

Danny Bayliss, new technology lead at Campden BRI who generated the results, said:

“Proving that plasma can effectively sterilise packaging is a real milestone in applying the plasma technology for laminate packaging processes. Our findings move the world’s first plasma sterilisation packaging system one step closer to commercial reality. Having to use and store hazardous chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide and the need to break the aseptic zone when adjusting packaging has long been a crux for traditional packaging sterilisation systems. This project indicates a future where these chemicals will no longer be required for these systems, and packaging can be rapidly re-sterilised or pre-sterilised after human intervention without using bought-in chemicals.”

Following months of intensive testing, Bayliss confirmed a log reduction of Bacillus spores greater than 4.74 which meets VDMA (German Engineering Federation) requirements and sets Sterafill on the way towards getting FDA approval using the new plasma system. The results were gained with the technology operating near commercially relevant speeds on a single lane machine. The team’s focus now shifts to scaling up the system to be used on multi-lane setups, making it even more applicable to the industry.

The study was conducted on laminar sheets that are used to form stick packs, meaning the current application lies with both wet and dry ambient-stable products in this packaging format – such as UHT milk or powders. But there is potential for further applications on other laminate materials.

Paul Newman, managing director at Sterafill and project lead, said:

“What’s exciting about this project’s findings is that it’s just the start of how plasma can be used by the food and similar industries to sterilise packaging. Our initial trial undertaken by Campden BRI hints towards the potential to develop this technology further for use on other packaging formats that require sterile packaging material. Part of what makes this technology special is that it allows for a much smaller aseptic zone compared to traditional methods and sterilises to the point of fill. Not only does this save on space, but also allows manufacturers to adapt packaging with less risk of breaking the aseptic zone. If the aseptic zone is ever breached, the results from the recent research found that re-sterilisation can occur in just 30 minutes which is up to 93% quicker than traditional methods.”

The project builds on a wealth of plasma research conducted by Campden BRI in recent years and joins the research organisation’s continued efforts to develop and assess new technologies that could benefit the food and drink industry. Initial stages of the project involved the University of Liverpool that supported development and testing on the system.

 

BFFF VICE CHAIR ANNOUNCED

The Federation is pleased to announce that Steve Challouma, General Manager of Birds Eye UK and Ireland, has agreed to become the BFFF Vice Chair.

The role of the non-executive board is key for the Federation, it provides not only good governance but provides the BFFF executive team with an important reference point and sounding board.

Steve joined the BFFF Board last November and in the short time he has been on the Board has already shown a great desire to be involved and combines this with a vast wealth of experience in the frozen food market.

Professional Bio:

Steve Challouma is the General Manager of Birds Eye UK & Ireland, the leading branded business in Frozen Foods, encompassing the Birds Eye, Aunt Bessie’s and Goodfella’s brands. He has spent almost 25 years in the Frozen Food industry in a range of commercial roles spanning sales, category management and marketing. He was previously Marketing Director, where he led the brand team that turned around the Birds Eye brand, delivering four consecutive years of growth and winning the coveted Grocer Gold award in 2019 for Brand of the Year.

Steve is a passionate advocate for Frozen Food and has a long history at Birds Eye, starting his career as a Unilever graduate trainee in 1996 in Sales, before moving into Marketing in 2002. Highlights include the revitalisation of Captain Birds Eye as a brand icon after a 10-year hiatus – and working on the acquisitions and integration of the Goodfella’s and Aunt Bessie’s brands.

XPO LOGISTICS ANNOUNCES PUBLIC FILING OF FORM 10 REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR PLANNED SPIN-OFF OF GXO LOGISTICS

XPO Logistics, a leading global provider of supply chain solutions, today announced the filing of a public Form 10 registration statement for GXO Logistics with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Form 10 was filed in connection with XPO’s planned spin-off of its logistics segment into a separate publicly-traded company. XPO expects to complete the spin-off in the third quarter of 2021, with GXO trading on the New York Stock Exchange and is pursuing an investment-grade rating for both companies — GXO from day one and XPO to follow.

 

In addition, the company filed supplementary financial information for GXO and XPO post-spin-off. The Form 10 and supplementary financial information are available on the company’s website at xpo.com/investors.

 

Brad Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of XPO Logistics, said, “GXO’s Form 10 public filing is a key step forward in our spin-off plan. The separation will create two pure-play powerhouses in the supply chain industry, XPO in transportation and GXO in logistics, each with enhanced prospects for growth.”

 

Malcolm Wilson, chief executive officer of XPO Logistics Europe and planned CEO of GXO, said, “GXO will have accelerated momentum out of the gate as an independent company, as reflected in the strong 2022 guidance we issued today. Our growth is being driven by customer demand for outsourcing and for two areas of logistics where we hold leading positions — warehouse automation and e-commerce.”

 

Raises Full-Year 2021 Guidance for Adjusted EBITDA

 

XPO has increased its expectation for Q2 2021 adjusted EBITDA to at least $490 million, driven by stronger-than-expected performance in its transportation segment. Consequently, the company has increased its outlook for full year 2021 adjusted EBITDA to at least $1.845 billion to $1.895 billion, compared with the prior guidance of $1.825 billion to $1.875 billion.

 

The new range for 2021 adjusted EBITDA reflects a year-over-year increase of 32% to 36% above 2020, comprised of:

 

  • 28% to 32% growth in adjusted EBITDA in the logistics segment
  • 32% to 36% growth in adjusted EBITDA in the transportation segment

 

Provides Full Year 2022 Guidance for GXO

 

The company has issued the following full-year preliminary 2022 guidance for GXO, the planned spin-off of its logistics segment, assuming a 2021 separation:

 

  • Organic revenue growth of 8% to 12% above pro forma 2021
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $700 million to $735 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 14% to 20% above pro forma 2021
  • Adjusted EBITDAR of approximately $1.5 billion

 

Announces Investor Days

 

The company plans to hold an Investor Day to discuss the GXO spin-off on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, in New York and London on a date to be announced as air travel restrictions allow.

 

Unveils GXO.com

 

The company has launched a new website that provides insight into GXO’s best-in-class capabilities by vertical and service offering. Investors, customers and the media can register for automatic updates on the latest GXO news and progress of the spin-off at gxo.com.

 

About the GXO Spin-Off

 

XPO expects to spin off its logistics segment in the third quarter of 2021 as GXO Logistics, creating two pure-play industry powerhouses. The separation would create two independent public companies with distinct investment identities and service offerings in vast addressable markets. GXO would be the second-largest contract logistics company in the world, and XPO would be a leading provider of transportation services, primarily less-than-truckload transportation and truck brokerage. Completion of the spin-off is subject to various conditions, and there can be no assurance that the transaction will occur or, if it does occur, of its terms or timing. For more information, visit gxo.com.

 

About XPO Logistics and XPO Logistics Europe

XPO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: XPO) provides cutting-edge supply chain solutions to the most successful companies in the world. The company is the second-largest contract logistics provider and the second-largest freight broker globally, and a top three less-than-truckload provider in North America. XPO uses a highly integrated network of 1,629 locations and over 100,000 employees in 30 countries to help more than 50,000 customers manage their supply chains most efficiently. The company’s corporate headquarters are in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA, and its European headquarters are in Lyon, France.

Visit europe.xpo.com for more information, and connect with XPO on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

As required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), we provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures contained in this press release to the most directly comparable measure under GAAP, which are set forth in the financial tables attached to this release.

 

XPO’s and GXO’s non-GAAP financial measures used in this release include: adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”) and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent expense (“adjusted EBITDAR”).

 

Adjusted EBITDA includes adjustments for transaction and integration, as well as restructuring costs and other adjustments as set forth in the attached tables. Transaction and integration adjustments are generally incremental costs that result from an actual or planned acquisition, divestiture or spin-off and may include transaction costs, consulting fees, retention awards, and internal salaries and wages (to the extent the individuals are assigned full-time to integration and transformation activities) and certain costs related to integrating and converging IT systems. Restructuring costs primarily relate to severance costs associated with business optimization initiatives. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and evaluating XPO’s, GXO’s and each business segment’s ongoing performance.

 

Adjusted EBITDAR excludes rent expense from Adjusted EBITDA and is useful to management and investors in evaluating GXO’s performance because adjusted EBITDAR considers the performance of GXO’s operations, excluding decisions made with respect to capital investment, financing and other non-recurring charges. Adjusted EBITDAR is also a measure commonly used by management, research analysts and investors to value companies in the logistics industry. Since adjusted EBITDAR excludes interest expense and rent expense, it allows management, research analysts and investors to compare the value of different companies without regard to differences in capital structures and leasing arrangements.

 

With respect to XPO’s full year, 2021 financial targets for adjusted EBITDA and GXO’s full-year 2022 financial targets for adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDAR, a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the corresponding GAAP measures is not available without unreasonable effort due to the variability and complexity of the reconciling items described above that we exclude from these non-GAAP target measures. The variability of these items may have a significant impact on our future GAAP financial results. As a result, we are unable to prepare the forward-looking statement of income and statement of cash flows prepared in accordance with GAAP that would be required to produce such a reconciliation.

 

Forward-looking Statements

 

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements, including the statements above regarding plans, benefits and timing of the contemplated spin-off transaction. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,”

“will,” “expect,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “effort,” “target,” “trajectory”, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terms. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the company in light of its experience, and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors the company believes are appropriate in the circumstances.

 

These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to a material difference include the risks discussed in our filings with the SEC and the following: economic conditions generally; the severity, magnitude, duration and aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic and government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to align our investments in capital assets, including equipment, service centers and warehouses, to our customers’ demands; our ability to implement our cost and revenue initiatives; our ability to successfully integrate and realize anticipated synergies, cost savings and profit improvement opportunities with respect to acquired companies; matters related to our intellectual property rights; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; fuel price and fuel surcharge changes; natural disasters, terrorist attacks or similar incidents; risks and uncertainties regarding the potential timing and expected benefits of the proposed spin-off of our logistics segment, including final approval for the proposed spin-off and the risk that the spin-off may not be completed on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, if at all; the impact of the proposed spin-off on the size and business diversity of our company; the ability of the proposed spin-off to qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes; our ability to develop and implement suitable information technology systems and prevent failures in or breaches of such systems; our substantial indebtedness; our ability to raise debt and equity capital; fluctuations in fixed and floating interest rates; our ability to maintain positive relationships with our network of third-party transportation providers; our ability to attract and retain qualified drivers; labor matters, including our ability to manage our subcontractors, and risks associated with labor disputes at our customers and efforts by labor organizations to organize our employees; litigation, including litigation related to alleged misclassification of independent contractors and securities class actions; risks associated with our self-insured claims; risks associated with defined benefit plans for our current and former employees; and governmental regulation, including trade compliance laws, as well as changes in international trade policies and tax regimes; governmental or political actions, including the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union; and competition and pricing pressures.

 

All forward-looking statements set forth in this release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on us or our business or operations. Forward-looking statements set forth in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, changes in expectations or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except to the extent required by law.

 

 

Member Benefits

Exclusive Partnership deals on key products and services:

  • BFFF energy deals and rates
  • 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
  • Specialist H&S and Technical Conferences
  • Special interest groups (packaging, frozen food temperatures)
  • Annual Lunch
  • Awards Night
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Sponsorship Packages

We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to BFFF members across our events throughout the year, with flexible packages that can be tailored to suit your business objectives.

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