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KEEPING ICE CREAM COLD WITH THE HEAT OF THE SUN!

Jude’s Ice Cream has been producing delicious ice cream for over twenty years, and has had a relationship with Dawsongroup for almost as long. As a certified B Corp, Jude’s believes that all businesses should benefit people and communities. They are well on their way to achieving their target of reducing carbon emissions by 43% by 2030, with a 20% reduction already attained since their start date of 2020 – and Dawsongroup is helping them achieve that.

Dawsongroup’s Unique Solution

Dawsongroup has provided various solutions for Jude’s over the years, from forklifts through Dawsongroup material handling to loading docks from Dawsongroup tcs. When Jude’s needed additional cold storage for their ice cream which was also carbon efficient, they turned to Dawsongroup for a solution.

Dawsongroup tcs has a range of modular cold storage solutions which can be set to any temperature from -30°C to +30°C and can be sited either internally or externally to suit your space and requirements. Whilst our units are optimised for energy efficiency and low running costs, they still need electricity to run them.

Tim Clark, Regional Head of Sales for Dawsongroup tcs, worked with Jude’s to come up with a unique solution – a cold storage unit powered by solar panels on the roof.

“Jude’s Ice Cream presented the near perfect partner for the first solar-powered portable cold storage facility in the country, being in the south, in an open prospective and on an exposed hill,” said Tim. “When I made the suggestion to them, the response was overwhelming as it tied in with their very green philosophy.”

Quality Ice Cream with Reduced Emissions

Kevin Smith, Technical Manager for Dawsongroup TCS, installed the solar panels on the cold storage unit roof. He regularly returns to ensure that they are always angled to make the most of the sun year-round.

The 8kW solar array generates 1.54kW/hr of useable electricity in an average month, which is more than 50% of the power needed to keep the cold storage at -25°C, the ideal temperature for the best quality ice cream. On sunny days, it can generate more power than the unit uses – keeping Jude’s ice cream cold with the heat of the sun.

Whilst this saves Jude’s over £100 a week on electricity costs, the saving in carbon emissions is more important to them and makes a significant contribution towards their carbon reduction target.

Just a Phone Call Away

“Dawsongroup TCS is fantastic. The main service Dawsongroup provides for us is that whatever we need as we grow, we can come to them and they have a solution for us,” said James Wright, Managing Director of Jude’s Ice Cream. “Whenever we need help we can pick up the phone and Dawsongroup responds straight away. We have a very good relationship, and they’ve been very supportive to Jude’s as we’ve grown from a hobby twenty years ago to a much bigger business today.”

Contact Dawsongroup tcs for all your temperature control needs, loading docks and more, and contact Dawsongroup material handling for warehousing equipment and storage.

Arrange a free consultation with a Dawsongroup expert today to find out how our Smarter Asset Strategy can help your business reduce carbon emissions.

RUPERT ASHBY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE BRITISH FROZEN FOOD FEDERATION COMMENTS ON THE NI PROTOCOL

“The British Frozen Food Federation welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations between the UK Government and European Commission. The settlement reached on the Northern Ireland Protocol is good news for businesses throughout the frozen food supply chain which are looking forward to more efficient trade relations within the UK and to the EU.

“For frozen food producers, distributors and retailers which have faced difficulties since the Withdrawal Agreement, this marks the beginning of a positive new chapter.

“Frozen food has become an increasingly popular choice for consumers looking for high quality and affordable options in their weekly shop and I know that our members will seek to reach more of the Northern Ireland and EU markets through this renewed opportunity.”

For the full set of explainers on what is being called the Windsor framework, click here.

Administrations up 56% in 2022

A total of 1,340 UK businesses filed for administration in 2022 – a 56% increase compared to 2021.

Recent data from The Gazette Official Public Record has revealed that construction, manufacturing and retail were the sectors worst hit, accounting for 39% of administrations. Greater London led the way with 20% of the filings, followed by the South East and North West (16% each).

While January (55) was the quietest month, administration numbers leapt to 160 in November – the most recorded for 28 months – before dipping to 120, 93 and 104 in April, May and June respectively.

And while administrations are still yet to hit pre-Covid levels (1,794 in 2019), recession fears and the financial pressure on households and businesses means the worst is still yet to come, an insolvency and restructuring expert has warned.

What does the future look like for UK businesses?

The latest statistics show that the true costs of living and doing business are beginning to bite. Numerous headwinds – such as the cost of borrowing, and increasing energy, fuel and raw material costs – have become a new normal at this point and businesses are being pulled from every direction. Furthermore, while supportive in the main, pressure from lenders is increasing and HMRC is taking a firmer stance, seeking to cap levels of liability for non-payment of tax.

While the UK is perilously close to recessional phase, businesses must have a clear focus on cash flow and look to save costs where possible. Directors must continue to plan strategically for the ever higher costs of ‘doing business’.

For businesses to survive longer term, they will need to act now to address underlying issues. It is important to get to grips with matters at the earliest possible juncture and to take the appropriate professional advice, if needed. Taking a proactive approach will provide options and help to keep businesses afloat.

If things continue as they are, we can expect to see an increase in businesses failures as they battle tough trading conditions. However, resilient businesses with a strong balance sheet and with the right planning and oversight in place, may well find opportunities for growth as we head further into 2023.

How can we help?

If you’re facing financial difficulties, or would like some advice with helping to identify areas of business stress and distress as early as possible, our team of experienced insolvency solicitors can help.

Restructuring and insolvency

Contact:  Sean Moran   sean.moran@shma.co.uk

Andrew Taylor  andrew.taylor@shma.co.uk

THE FUTURE IS HERE!

With many organisations making a move toward electric vehicles (EV) and electric material handling equipment (MHE), our Primary Authority, Essex Fire & Rescue has provided an overview of fire safety considerations when introducing EV/MHE into your workplace.

Please CLICK HERE to view the document.

PRODUCT RANGE RATIONALISATION FOR PRINCIPAL LOGISTICS TECHNOLOGIES

Warehouse management software (WMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software specialist Principal Logistics Technologies is introducing new branding across its suite of products. The new identities are designed to remove complexity and promote consistency across the range following the company’s acquisitions of leading WMS and ERP businesses Brentech Data Systems and Chess Logistics Technology.

“These exciting strategic acquisitions added significant capabilities to our business but also resulted in a number of different product identities,” says Peter Flanagan, founder and Managing Director of Principal Logistics Technologies. “This rebranding will create the consistency that differentiates each product while making our solutions portfolio offer clearer to our growing customer base throughout Ireland and the UK.”

The company’s enterprise-level WMS product is renamed as ProWMS: Advanced Warehouse Management.

ProWMS: Advanced Warehouse Management – previously In-DEX WMS and Empirica WMS –  tailored warehouse management software offering no limits to the functionality required by small and medium enterprises to multinational warehouse operators. ProWMS includes globally patented Blockchain-based UR (Unique Referencing) technology for comprehensive traceability and AI for increased automation. It is a highly flexible, modular system designed for 3PL, distribution, wholesale, manufacturing, and retail warehouse operators. The product is robust and highly configurable to exacting standard and non-standard customer requirements.

The company is also rebranding the three other products in its range.

ProSKU: Cloud-based WMS – previously ProSKU WMS Cloud – affordable, SaaS-based PAYG (pay-as-you-go) warehouse management software suitable for all business types especially 3PL, eCommerce and eFulfilment warehouse operators. ProSKU is quick to set-up and easy to use so staff training is minimised. ProSKU connects with a comprehensive range of eCommerce and carrier integrator platforms. It is web-based with an Android-based application for optimised stock scanning and it can be used to manage a customer’s own stock or by 3PLs.

ProSCM: Advanced Supply Chain Management – previously Chess Socretes – bespoke supply chain management software that is highly configurable to address the needs of enterprise customers requiring WMS functionality with added sales and purchase order processing, purchase forecasting, reconciliation, and transport management capability.

ProERP: Advanced Order Management – previously AWARDS-BA³ ERP – an integrated, modular enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution designed to enable and support the complex business and stock traceability rules around very high-volume purchasing, sales, handling, and storage requirements common to enterprise-level businesses required to follow robust regulation regimes. Principal Logistics Technologies has longstanding specialist expertise in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare sectors that are required to follow stringent compliance rules.

“Bringing these products together in the Principal Logistics Technologies portfolio enables us to offer a solution for any size of business in any business sector to optimise operations, add new revenue-generating value-added services and reduce overheads,” says Brian Connolly, Corporate Development Director at Principal Logistics Technologies. “Our aim is to make it clearer where each product sits in the portfolio and to make it easier to communicate the functionality and benefits with existing and prospective customers. Since January 2020, our core headcount has grown from 16 to almost 80 highly experienced specialists who develop and support our growing customer base.”

The new branding will be phased in during 2023 to include product software and documentation.

About Principal Logistics Technologies: Principal Logistics Technologies has been introducing new value-added services, optimising operational processes, reducing operational costs, improving return on investment, and increasing revenues for warehouse and supply chain operators for over 30 years. Its advanced in-house developed software solutions include enterprise-level and cloud-based WMS warehouse management software and ERP enterprise resource planning software for customers operating in the 3PL distribution, wholesale, manufacturing, and retail warehouse sectors. The business operates from offices in Dublin, Ireland and Manchester, UK, the latter having been added through the acquisition of Chess Logistics Technology in November 2021.

https://www.principallogisticstechnologies.com/

 

MOD RECOGNISES REED BOARDALL’S SUPPORT OF THE ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY

Reed Boardall has been accredited with a Bronze award by the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) as an employer that supports defence personnel and inspires others to do the same. Already, the Yorkshire-based logistics business has 23 veterans, serving personnel employed part-time and reservists in the team at its Boroughbridge site.

One of the leading providers of cold storage and distribution services to food producers and retailers across the UK, Reed Boardall’s Bronze award is a demonstration of its pledge to advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align its values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

Over the last year, the company has formalised its support of former and serving defence personnel, as well as building links with the prison services to increase the employment of ex-offenders. It has partnered with organisations such as Career Transition Partnership (CTP), Army Families Federation, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), HM Prison Service and People Plus, as well as charities Veteran into Logistics and Clean Slate Solutions.

As a result, the company has introduced a number of initiatives both to actively recruit from these communities and also to ensure that it provides adequate support once people join the Reed Boardall team. It also takes part in recruitment fairs and virtual workshops with CTP and local Regional Resettlement Centres, linking with service personnel going through the resettlement process and giving them an insight into the logistics sector, including Reed Boardall’s Driver Academy.

Daniel Delacoe-Eyre, a veteran who served for over 17 years in a number of regiments before joining Reed Boardall in 2020 to lead its HR operation, comments: “As a former soldier and officer myself, I understand only too well the concerns and even fear felt by service personnel as they contemplate leaving the armed forces. It’s vital that businesses do what they can to ensure there is a job for them when they return to civilian life and we have, therefore, embarked on a pro-active campaign to help them transition into a new career in the logistics sector.

“A number of veterans have enrolled into our Driver Academy where they will gain the skills and qualifications they need to become much-needed HGV drivers, and we have also reviewed our employment policies to incorporate some of the specific support those still serving may need, such as additional leave to take part in army training exercises or operational tours.”

Marcus Boardall, chief executive of Reed Boardall, add: “We are extremely proud not only to number so many defence personnel among our staff, but also for our efforts to have been recognised with a Bronze Award from the MOD. We will be working hard towards gaining our Silver award next year and even have our sights set on Gold.

“We believe it’s very important that people are given a second chance, whether that’s veterans embarking on a new career, or ex-offenders trying to secure employment and, as a responsible, people-focussed business, we are committed to doing all we can to support this. It’s extremely rewarding to see such talented people redeploying their skills and seizing the opportunity to become part of the Reed Boardall family.”

As a Bronze award holder, Reed Boardall has pledged to support the armed forces, including existing or prospective employees who are members of the community, and it has signed the Armed Forces Covenant which acknowledges and understands that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives. The award also demonstrates that the company promotes being armed forces-friendly and is open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

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. With a fleet of over 200 vehicles operating 24 hours a day, year-round, it delivers 12,000 pallets of frozen food daily for its clients as well as providing a range of complementary services including ancillary blast freezing, picking and packing. The company employs almost 800 staff at its single site in Boroughbridge, Yorkshire.

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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