Following the success of its initial group of suppliers to its SME scheme, Bidfood, one of the UK’s leading food and drink providers, is delighted to announce the next wave of businesses joining its Open Doors programme.

Since launching the very first initiative of its kind in the industry back in 2023, Bidfood has now onboarded 23 smaller food and beverage companies, helping them to establish themselves within the industry and raising awareness of their products so they can make their mark in food wholesale.

As a result, Bidfood’s Open Doors programme has continued its mission to unlock the potential of emerging suppliers, supporting their development journey while also providing customers with first-hand access to some of the most exciting brands in the market.

The latest additions include:

• Icesupp – nourishing frozen supplements for the care and healthcare sector
• Wibble – better-for-you desserts
• Wildthingz – lower-sugar, organic sweets
• Howies Cider – craft cider that’s grown, pressed and bottled entirely in the UK
• CBD One – premium CBD ‘shots’ for drinks
• Kwerky – powdered plant milk made with oat and pea protein
• IBIS Rice – rice with a unique conservation focussed supply chain
• Northern Pasta – UK produced pasta from regeneratively farmed ingredients

Commenting on the newly listed suppliers, Andrew Allen said:

“This cohort reflects the progress Bidfood has made since launching this industry first two years ago. Featuring a mix of sector-specific and broad-appeal brands, it highlights the unique role foodservice, and Bidfood in particular, can play in driving supplier innovation.

“Although still in its infancy, to have 23 small food and beverage businesses involved is fantastic. Many suppliers still face some tough market challenges, so to be the voice for underrepresented founder groups with incredible brand stories makes a real difference.”

Tim Adams, Sales and Marketing Director at Bidfood UK, added:

“The Open Doors programme does exactly what it says on the tin – it opens doors and creates pathways for those smaller suppliers who would often not be afforded the opportunity.

“I’m excited to see the latest group incorporated into this industry-leading initiative and look forward to hearing the success stories that will emerge in the coming months.”

To learn more about the Open Doors programme and to sign up for the ODP newsletter, visit: https://www.bidfood.co.uk/about-us/open-doors/

Mentor Training, the UK’s leading provider of material handling equipment and safety management training, have launched Safety Net, a brand-new monthly email bulletin designed to help its customers remain safe & compliant.

 

On sites using MHE, it’s vital that those responsible for overseeing operations stay informed and equipped to ensure that safety is upheld, as the consequences of bad practice can be incredibly serious. Mentor’s Safety Net service will highlight the real risks involved, plus the relevant guidance and solutions to manage them.

 

As Mentor’s Commercial Director, Adam Smith, explains, “With so much to think about, keeping up to date with the latest industry news, legislative changes, updated standards and best practice can be a significant challenge for any single individual. To ease the pressure on Health and Safety professionals, our new service compiles recent updates into a single convenient bulletin, delivered straight to their inbox each month.”

 

Mentor have designed Safety Net to collate the latest information across legal, standards and safety updates, for managers, supervisors and anyone else who needs it. The monthly bulletins will be comprised of key content they need to stay compliant and keep their team safe around workplace transport.

 

The service is free and only requires users to be subscribed to Mentor’s email updates to receive it. In addition to the news updates, the bulletin includes a range of extra content, providing added value and support for readers.

 

Adam adds, “Each month our bulletin will also feature the likes of free downloads, videos, and fact sheets, all to raise awareness and provide tools that will be of real use to you, on your site.”

The training provider has long provided a monthly email newsletter, focused on delivering best practice guidance, and has taken the opportunity to innovate, expanding the scope of the service to better support its customers and the wider industry.

 

Adam explains, “Alongside valuable best practice, our new bulletins will now be packed with even more industry news and updates, making them a fantastic resource for tracking important developments.”

 

“Safety Net is an evolution of our long-running news service, which adds further benefits for our email subscribers. If you aren’t signed up already, I firmly believe there has never been a better time to do so.”

 

To make sure you get your monthly Safety Net bulletin, subscribe to Mentor’s email updates, here. For any specific training enquiries, contact Mentor or speak to a member of their expert team on 01246 555222

The UK food manufacturing sector is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades. A wave of high-value mergers and acquisitions, mounting cost pressures, and a shortage of skilled engineers are reshaping the landscape in ways that demand both strategic foresight and operational discipline.

In the past year alone, Greencore’s £1.2 billion acquisition of Bakkavor has created a convenience food powerhouse with £4 billion in annual turnover and the promise of £70 million in efficiencies. Associated British Foods is in advanced talks to bring Hovis under the same roof as Kingsmill, potentially controlling almost 40 per cent of the packaged bread market. THG’s sale of its flavouring arm Claremont Ingredients for £103 million to Nactarome, Ferrero’s £2.4 billion purchase of WK Kellogg’s cereal business, and Mitsubishi’s £780 million expansion in salmon farming all underline the same point: the market is consolidating fast, and with every deal comes a reassessment of where and how production is carried out.

For the companies involved, the logic is compelling. Overlapping facilities and duplicated functions weigh heavily on margins, especially in an environment where energy prices, packaging costs and wage bills continue to climb. Bringing operations together under fewer roofs can deliver leaner processes, tighter quality control and more efficient use of scarce engineering talent. Yet while the financial rationale may be straightforward, the execution is anything but.

Consolidation is not simply a matter of closing one site and expanding another. It is a complex transformation project, touching every aspect of a business – from production flow and supply chain resilience to workforce deployment, automation, compliance and contingency planning. Get it wrong, and the benefits can evaporate quickly, replaced by logistical headaches, compliance risks and operational bottlenecks.

This is why master planning is not a luxury but a necessity. A strong plan looks beyond the immediate relocation to create a blueprint for long-term operational health. It considers how product lines will move through the facility, where automation and monitoring technology will have the greatest impact, how limited technical staff can be deployed most effectively, and what resilience measures – from backup power to flexible layouts – will keep the site running in the face of disruption.

For food manufacturers, the stakes are particularly high. Compliance requirements are stringent, the tolerance for downtime is low, and consumer expectations for quality and availability are unforgiving. Consolidating without a meticulous plan risks undermining the very efficiencies the move is meant to achieve.

The most successful consolidation projects are those where the operational detail is given the same attention as the financial modelling. That means surveying buildings and land to anticipate technical and environmental challenges. It means cataloguing assets accurately so they can be relocated, sold or repurposed with minimal disruption. It means managing decommissioning with health, safety and environmental compliance at the forefront, and preparing redundant sites for handover or remediation. It is a process that runs from early feasibility studies right through to the first day of production in the new configuration – and it demands experience not just in construction, but in the specialist operational requirements of the food sector.

The consolidation trend shows no signs of slowing. As M&A activity continues and cost pressures persist, the question for many manufacturers is no longer whether to consolidate, but how to do it in a way that enhances competitiveness rather than erodes it. In this environment, those who approach consolidation with a combination of commercial acumen and rigorous operational planning will emerge stronger, leaner and better positioned for the challenges ahead.

With more than four decades of delivering complex projects for the UK’s leading food manufacturers, Ambrey Baker has the specialist insight, engineering capability and master planning expertise to make consolidation a success. Our team understands the operational realities of food production, from high-care environments and compliance-critical workflows to the safe decommissioning and repurposing of existing facilities. We work with clients from the earliest planning stages through to handover, ensuring that every consolidation project is delivered on time, on budget, and with resilience built in for the future.

Oakland International is delighted for Michelle Ganderton as she takes on the role of Head of D2C (direct to consumer), a milestone achievement that celebrates more than 25 years of dedication, growth, and leadership within the business.

 

Michelle first joined total supply chain solutions provider Oakland in 1998 at just 16 years old, starting on the production line packing biscuits. Since then, she has gained extensive experience by excelling in a wide array of roles including case picker, receptionist, QA assistant then supervisor, production manager, and operations manager. Each position offering the opportunity to build her in-depth knowledge and a unique understanding of the business from the ground up.

 

Now leading Oakland’s D2C operations, Michelle is responsible for overseeing a vital and fast-growing part of the business covering operational efficiency, delivering on customer expectations, driving strategic growth, and leading her team to success.

 

Reflecting on her promotion, Michelle commented: “I’m incredibly proud and grateful for this opportunity. Having grown with Oakland since my very first job, this promotion represents not just my personal journey but the growth and transformation of the company over the years. I hope my story encourages others, especially women considering a career in warehousing and logistics, to see the potential and opportunities this industry has to offer.”

 

Playing an instrumental role in supporting Oakland’s transformation over the past two decades, as the business has expanded in scale, ambition, and technological innovation, all while staying true to its core values.

 

Congratulating Michelle on her promotion, Dean Attwell, Co-Founder of Oakland International, said:

 

“Michelle’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. From her early days on our production line to now leading one of the company’s most strategically important areas, she has consistently demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and excellence.

 

“Her deep understanding of the business and her commitment to supporting and empowering her colleagues make her the ideal person to take forward our D2C operations. We couldn’t be prouder to see Michelle achieve this well-deserved milestone in her career.”

 

Michelle’s appointment as D2C Operations Manager also reflects Oakland International’s commitment to nurturing talent, fostering inclusivity, and supporting the career progression of women in traditionally male-dominated sectors. Michelle’s leadership not only strengthens Oakland’s operations today but also sets a positive example for future generations.

 

Oakland International is a Certified B Corporation and leading supply chain solutions provider, specialising in temperature-controlled logistics across the UK and Ireland. Serving retail, wholesale, and food service markets, Oakland offers expertise in direct-to-consumer services, case consolidation, contract packing, storage and distribution, food tempering, and brand development support. With a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and reducing waste through its distress load management service, the company is committed to becoming the first in its sector to achieve net zero, all while staying true to its family values and community spirit.

The UK has always been a gateway for food in and out of Europe. Goods arrive through its ports, move along its sprawling roadways and reach both local shoppers and markets overseas. From seafood in Grimsby to dairy in the southwest, the UK’s link in the supply chain connects producers, retailers and consumers across Europe and beyond.

 

Lineage operates 13 facilities here, with capacity for more than half a million pallets. That reach means customers can move products coast to coast, tap into import-focused bonded warehousing and rely on last-mile delivery when getting food to market. Just as important, the network links directly into transatlantic and European trade lanes, making it easy to balance domestic distribution with international flows.

 

A nationwide footprint with global reach

 

Lineage’s warehouse footprint stretches across England and Scotland, with strategic footholds in and around bustling population centers and major roadways. Facilities are also tied into important port corridors, giving importers and exporters options on how to route freight.

 

Lineage’s strategic UK network includes:

• Grimsby: Bonded capacity, strong seafood focus, direct link to Immingham port.
• Bristol: Serves the southwest, connected to traffic coming up from Spain and Portugal.
• Peterborough: Inland, but a key entry point for container traffic from Felixstowe.
• Urban reach: Sites near London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
• Automated warehousing: Six facilities equipped with automated systems for fast handling and high throughput.

 

The mix of coastal and inland locations allows food to be staged where it makes the most sense, sometimes close to the point of entry, sometimes closer to final markets.

 

From blast freezing to retail prep: services that fit the market

 

Lineage’s UK facilities provide core cold storage services essential to businesses in the cold chain, but are also built to handle the extra steps customers need to meet the needs of their customers.

 

Lineage’s cold storage and value-added services in the UK:

• Blast freezing for proteins and seafood.
• Multi-temperature chilled and frozen storage.
• Freight consolidation and redistribution.
• Retail preparation, repalletizing and inspections.
• Bonded warehousing for imports and exports and tariff-sensitive products.

 

Meeting retailer demands and navigating European regulation

 

Selling in the UK and European markets means meeting the strict requirements in this region. Orders often need to be broken down, rebuilt or repalletized to match specific specifications before they ever reach the shelves. Automation in several Lineage sites in the UK helps speed up the process and provide consistency. These automated warehouses help reduce errors and allow suppliers to stay aligned with the unique standards of their customers.

 

On the import and export side, paperwork is an unavoidable and essential part of the job. Lineage has you covered there too. Bonded warehouse capacity, customs documentation and brokerage support, freight forwarding and drayage solutions are built into the Lineage network, so shipments can clear quickly and with less risk of delay. Since Brexit, additional health certifications and approvals have become part of day-to-day operations in the supply chain, and Lineage teams are experts when it comes to guiding customers through those steps.

 

By combining retail-ready handling with an understanding of how products move across borders, Lineage gives customers a smoother path to market, whether their products are destined for supermarket shelves in London or for distribution across Europe.

 

Integrated transportation and consolidation in the UK

 

Having a resilient cold chain requires more than just cold storage. Lineage’s UK network integrates transport across the region to help keep food flowing. This integrated model helps customers manage peak demand, avoid bottlenecks and stay competitive in fast-moving markets.

 

Lineage’s UK transportation differentiators include:

• Last mile coverage: Reliable chilled and frozen distribution nationwide.
• Port services: Transloading, drayage, container plug-ins and cross-docking available at port-centric facilities.
• Road network access: Strategic locations along major roadways help shorten delivery times and reduce inefficiencies.
• European connections: Partnerships with transportation providers support cross-border shipments to Ireland and continental Europe.

 

Visibility, reliability and service you can trust

 

Behind the network is a team built to support customers day in and day out. Dedicated account teams, low staff turnover, industry expertise and a commitment to service allow Lineage to support customers across the UK.

 

Technology strengthens that service model. With Lineage Link®, their unified supply chain platform, customers gain real-time visibility into inventory and greater control in the face of seasonal spikes, disruptions and regulatory delays. The result is a network that combines scale with reliability, helping customers operate with agility in a competitive market.

 

Get the UK advantage with Lineage

 

Lineage’s UK network combines 13 strategically located facilities, bonded and customs capabilities, automated capacity and integrated transportation services to help keep the food chain moving. From seafood in Grimsby to high-volume retail preparation in Peterborough, each site plays a role in connecting the UK’s food supply chain to the world.

 

With their scale, automation investment and end-to-end logistics expertise, Lineage is the ideal cold chain partner in the UK.

 

Get in touch with Lineage: https://www.onelineage.com/contact-sales

The opening of Oakland International’s Knottingley site in West Yorkshire in 2024 expanded the company’s national footprint offering over 161,000 sq. ft of high-specification, multi-temperature storage designed to fuel future sector growth.

 

Earlier this year, Knottingley underlined its credentials by achieving the prestigious BRCGS ‘AA’ accreditation in its very first audit, demonstrating Oakland’s unwavering commitment to safety, quality and compliance across the supply chain.

 

Oakland International Group CEO Shaun Foley said: “The BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standard) is recognised internationally as the benchmark for excellence in storage and distribution. To be awarded the ‘AA’ rating affirms that Oakland International’s operational processes, safety protocols and quality management systems are delivering to world-class standards.”

 

Strategically positioned at the intersection of the M62 and A1(M), the site provides fast access to local, regional and UK-wide markets, with major seaports and air freight hubs all within 4.5 hours. With capacity for over 20,000 pallets, 16 loading bays and space for 50 trailers, the site combines scale with efficiency and is built to the highest sustainability standards with an Excellent BREEAM rating and EPC ‘A’ grade.

 

Oakland International is one of the very few businesses within its sector to achieve BRCGS accreditation across all UK and Ireland depots, all at the highest ‘AA’ grade, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner for businesses that demand excellence in supply chain management.

 

Founded on sustainable and innovative practices, Oakland International is a Certified B Corporation and a leader in reducing food waste through its distress load management service. The business provides total supply chain solutions encompassing storage and distribution, contract packing, case consolidation, food tempering and direct-to-consumer support, serving retail, wholesale and foodservice markets across the UK and Ireland.

 

With the new BRCGS AA-rated Knottingley facility providing significant capacity in Yorkshire, Oakland International is well positioned to support customers’ long-term growth while upholding the highest operational standards.

BFFF member Contact Attachments Ltd, based in Newtown, Powys, continues its commitment to supporting businesses in the food and drink sector – this time shining a light on forklift attachments designed specifically for cold storage, hygiene-critical, and extreme operating environments.

When operating in chilled or frozen facilities, the right forklift attachment can make all the difference in maintaining compliance, keeping staff safe, and protecting valuable stock.

Mark Jones, Technical Sales Advisor at Contact Attachments, explains:

“Cold stores and hygiene-sensitive zones create unique challenges for materials handling.  Standard attachments often aren’t designed to cope with sub-zero conditions and this can lead to breakdowns, hygiene issues, and costly downtime.

“That’s why investing in equipment built specifically for these environments is crucial.  From stainless-steel attachments that can be fully sanitised to hydraulics designed to operate reliably in freezing conditions, the right solutions can help businesses across the industry maintain efficiency and compliance while safeguarding both their products and their people.

Built to Withstand Sub-Zero Temperatures

In frozen storage facilities, temperatures can reach -30°C or lower.  Materials that aren’t specifically designed for such extremes can become brittle, seize up, or fail entirely.  Contact Attachment’s cold-store attachments are manufactured using specialist steels, corrosion-resistant finishes, and hydraulics specified for extreme cold environments which all ensure smooth operations – even after hours in deep freeze conditions.

Hygienic Design for Washdown & Allergen Control

In facilities with washdown processes or allergen-controlled zones, attachments must be hygienically designed, easy to clean and sanitise, and resistant to contamination.  Contact’s dedicated stainless-steel range is ideal for these settings.  The smooth, non-porous surfaces prevent bacteria build-up, and the innovative design allows for quick and effective pressure washing – ensuring compliance with hygiene legislation.

Reducing Risk, Enhancing Efficiency

Choosing purpose-built attachments not only helps meet compliance requirements but also improves safety and workflow.  By reducing the need for manual handling, businesses lower the risk of injuries, which are a major concern in the UK food and drink sector:

• Over 30% of reported injuries in food and drink operations are due to manual handling, including lifting, pushing, and stacking loads.
• Slips, trips, and falls remain the leading cause of workplace injuries in wet or icy areas, costing UK businesses an estimated £512 million annually in lost productivity and associated costs*.

Optimised attachments can help minimise these risks by reducing manual lifting, improving load stability, and enabling safer handling of products – particularly in icy, wet, or frozen environments. This not only protects staff but also helps cold-chain operations stay on schedule and maintain efficiency.

Partnering with the Cold-Chain Sector

Contact Attachments continues to work closely with businesses across the food and drink sector, offering expert advice and bespoke solutions where needed.

“Every operation is different,” Mark adds. “Some businesses may need stainless steel drum handlers for allergen segregation whilst others might require fork extensions that won’t corrode in wet environments.  Our job is to help those across the sector find the right solution – either standard or bespoke – to keep their operations running safely and efficiently.”

Contact Attachments Ltd has been supporting UK manufacturers for over 50 years and offers a wide range of standard and bespoke material handling solutions to the food and drink sector. Whether you’re handling dairy, beverages, or bulk ingredients, their team is on hand to help find the right solution for your specific needs. For more information, visit: www.forklift-attachments.co.uk or call 01686 611200.

The Greggs Foundation, the independent charity associated with Greggs, is proud to announce its support of national charity Meals & More with a grant of £28,500

Since leading foodservice provider, Brakes founded Meals & More in 2015, the charity has supported over 2.5 million meals at holiday clubs across the UK. Thousands of children and families have benefited from healthy, nutritious food in safe and enriching environments during the school holidays when support for vulnerable children is needed the most.

Tracy Lynch, manager of the Greggs Foundation, commented: “Greggs Foundation is delighted to be supporting Meals & More. The charity has made amazing strides over the past few years to help reach children and young people dealing with issues related to food insecurity. Its ethos and mission align closely with our own, to help ensure food is at the heart of the communities in which we serve.

“We will be working with Meals & More in the provision of breakfast or afternoon supper at clubs which will have a positive impact on alleviating hunger and supporting children and families during the school holiday periods.”

Peter McGrath, Operations Director at Meals & More, said: “We are delighted that Greggs Foundation has joined us on our journey to support children during the holidays. The need for support in many communities is growing. The leadership and team at Greggs Foundation are clearly passionate about our cause and their support will assist us in reaching even more children. The additional resource will assist many clubs in providing an additional meal be it at breakfast or prior to going home.”

The funding will support clubs based in the north-east, north-west, south-west, Yorkshire and Scotland.