Tues 18th Nov, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London

OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL UNDERTAKES UK AND IRELAND DISTRESS LOAD MARKET RESEARCH

Posted on by hayley.smith@oakland-international.com

With their goal to better understand the distress load market for food security, total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International has engaged market analysis research specialists Analytiqa to identify the dynamics of the distress load market within the UK and Ireland.

With a specific focus on food safety, Oakland International wants to consider the impact of clandestine infiltration (where a load in transit is compromised due to illegal migrant activity) and other causes of distressed loads in the logistics sector. Analytiqa, a specialist provider of independent and unbiased primary research and analysis is undertaking interviews with senior executives across the retail and manufacturing sectors in the UK to better understand the key issues.

Oakland International Chief Operating Officer Lee Whiting commented: “Distressed loads are a challenging area for many transport and supply chain operators that can be exacerbated by illegal migrant activity along with external and environmental factors beyond their control. By undertaking this market analysis factors including the impact, frequency, governance, control, resolution and risk management of distressed loads will be considered.

“Over recent years we have seen demand for our distress load management (DLM) service grow exponentially but there is quite a variation in terms of operational criteria and services offered within the market, hence we’re keen to better understand customer’s challenges in relation to this issue and assist to establish industry best practice that will hopefully be supported by government policy and legislation in the long term.”

Oakland International is a leading D2C/B2C/B2B specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution and brand development support covering ambient, chilled, and frozen food, and services retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK and Ireland. They are also BRCGS AA accredited and have taken the first step to becoming B Corp certified and are working towards becoming the first business within their sector to achieve net-zero.

To increase the visibility of the challenges posed by distressed loads in the market, Oakland is undertaking this study in order to provide unbiased and independent market insight and analysis to all stakeholders across the logistics industry. The completed report will then provide important insight for customers, operators, government and other related national organisations. It is also hoped that the report’s findings will raise awareness of the challenges and consequences of distress loads and enable stakeholders to understand and ‘speak the same language’ and contribute to more informed discussions within the sector.

Analytiqa Director Mark O’Bornick explains: “At present there seems to be little available quality insight and analysis within the market around the frequency and impact of distressed loads and the security implications for the food supply chain in particular. By partnering with Oakland International, an expert service provider in the distressed load market for over twenty-years, we look forward to gaining a better understanding of the size, challenges and dynamics within the market that will hopefully contribute to operational improvements across the sector in the future.

“By engaging Analytiqa, Oakland International is looking to support the sector through the provision of actionable, robust research and analysis whilst also looking to better understand existing and prospective clients’ needs and challenges in relation to Distress Load Management, both commercially and operationally.”

MAGNAVALE ANNOUNCE PROGRESSION OF CHESTERFIELD COLD STORE EXPANSION

Posted on by shane.meharg@magnavale.co.uk

Magnavale, one of the UK’s leading providers of temperature-controlled storage, is excited to announce significant progress on the construction of its new extension at the Chesterfield cold storage facility.

The provider of temperature-controlled storage solutions is currently working on numerous projects that aim to reshape the cold storage sector, creating sustainable storage solutions. With the recent announcement of the £130m investment into the development at Easton, Grantham, and the significant expansion at Chesterfield, Magnavale are making significant strides towards their Net Zero goals.

Since breaking ground earlier this year, the project at Magnavale’s Chesterfield facility has reached several important milestones, bringing the UK provider of temperature-controlled storage closer to the expected completion date of late 2024.

Magnavale report that the site excavation has been successfully completed, and the concrete foundations for the facility have been poured. Over the course of the summer, Magnavale share that their team will shift their focus towards the steelwork construction of the cold store.

On completion, the expansion will add a significant 25,000 pallet positions to the cold stores’ existing capacity of 40,000, bringing the total pallet capacity of the facility to 65,000, making it one of the largest cold stores in the area.

This expansion will not only accommodate the increasing volumes of Magnavale’s existing customers but also open doors to new customers wanting to utilise Magnavale’s temperature-controlled facilities and value-added services.

The facility features one of the most comprehensive portfolios of value-added services, encompassing, blast freezing, microwave up-tempering and contract packing. Coupled with its strategic location, just off the M1, Magnavale Chesterfield is extremely desirable for food manufacturers that wish to cut unnecessary cost, risk, and complexity from their cold chain.

BIDFOOD HIGHLIGHTS A SERIES OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AHEAD OF THE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN

Posted on by Billy Moone

Following last year’s implementation of the plastic tax legislation, and the ban of plastic stirrers and straws in 2020, Bidfood’s Catering Supplies team has been busy looking at ways to support customers in making informed choices ahead of the single-use plastic ban coming into effect from the 1st October 2023.

It’s estimated that England uses a colossal 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery, most of which are plastic, and a staggering 721 million single-use plates per year, with only 10% getting recycled.[1] These single-use items, as well as certain polystyrene cups and food-to-go containers, will be included in the ban, meaning they cannot be purchased from any business.

Placing sustainability at the heart of everything they do, Bidfood’s Catering Supplies is continuing on its journey to drive a circular economy by helping its customers reduce, reuse, recycle and renew.

In preparation for the single-use plastics ban, the team has released a ‘Plastic Ban’ guide suggesting the alternative products their customers can switch to using, making the transition as easy as possible for them. The guide will also promote recyclable plastics and their correct waste streams, as not all plastics are included in the ban.

In addition to their guide, Bidfood’s Catering Supplies will provide further support through a series of blogs and a dedicated webpage where readers can find top-line information regarding the ban and access to their support materials.

Bidfood’s Catering Supplies team recently partnered with award-winning sustainable packaging company, Notpla, adding six of their seaweed-coated food-to-go packaging to their range.

The brand, which was recently awarded the Earthshot Prize by the Prince of Wales, has designed the seaweed-lined boxes to biodegrade naturally. They are both home compostable and recyclable, leaving no harmful traces in the environment at the end of life.

With a number of sustainability-based goals set for 2025, Bidfood’s Catering Supplies has made headway by removing all EPS (expanded polystyrene) products from their disposables range last year. They have also introduced a range of innovative products such as paper cutlery, PE cling film and Flexsil-Lids.

Michaela Bateman, Category & Marketing Manager for Catering Supplies at Bidfood said: “The upcoming plastic ban needn’t feel like a big change for our customers as we have already been working in the background to present them with some great alternatives.

“It’s our passion to support our customers with products that have a sustainable end-of-life solution that drives us as a team. Introducing a new generation of packaging like Notpla’s seaweed-lined boxes and Vegware’s paper cutlery will help them phase out unnecessary plastics.

“While the ban means the end of single-use plastics, we really want our guide to highlight the good, recyclable plastics too. As always, we want to provide a product that’s fit for purpose and with a guaranteed waste stream.

“There is a lot more work to do in the packaging world, but clearly legislation centred on sustainability is encouraging innovation and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for packaging and kitchen supplies.”

For more help, tips and support on the single-use plastic ban, please visit: https://www.bidfood.co.uk/single-use-plastics-ban-2023/

[1] DEFRA, January 2023

NATIONAL FOOD CRIME UNIT SEEKS TO EXPAND KNOWLEDGE OF CHICKEN SECTOR

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Earlier this year, chicken was added to the National Food Crime Unit’s (NFCU) control strategy priorities for 2023-24.

The NFCU Control Strategy outlines the Unit’s current food crime priorities, on which they focus their efforts to prevent food crime, deter and disrupt food criminals and bring offenders to justice.

To assist in their work, they are looking to expand their knowledge and understanding of the chicken sector further, specifically to learn more about what current risks or vulnerabilities may exist in this area.

The BFFF are hoping to meet with the NFCU on Friday 14th July and would welcome members input into the discussions. Please send any information you feel would be of use to Denise Rion by close of play Thursday 13th July.

All information will be anonymised and treated in the strictest confidence. However, if you would like to speak to the NFCU directly then please let us know and we will happily facilitate that for you.

Further information on the NFCU Control Strategy and the areas of focus can be found here

 

WHAT SHOULD OUR FUTURE REGULATORY SYSTEM LOOK LIKE? – HAVE YOUR SAY BY 14TH JULY!

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Some of you may recall that back in May we circulated a questionnaire from the FSA Achieving Business Compliance (ABC) team asking for our assistance in mapping out what the future food regulatory system should look like.

The deadline to complete that questionnaire has now passed but as a follow up, they’ve scheduled a meeting with the BFFF on July 17th to support their work.

Ahead of the meeting we require your assistance in answering several questions they have posed. We would be extremely grateful if you could provide Denise Rion with responses to the below by Friday 14th July.

  • Overview of your organisation
  • What challenges do you face in complying with food safety and standards?
  • How do you approach food safety and standards assurance and what support/assistance would you like?
  • How do you manage traceability and what challenges does it present?
  • Legislation – what are the current issues you face and what future changes would you like to see?
  • Relationship with regulators – what kind of relationships do you have with regulators and what would you like to do differently?
  • What are the biggest current and future challenges you face? – including changes in technology.  Are there challenges that are specific to your sector?
  • Any other thoughts?

All input is welcome and will ensure your views are heard.

 

 

OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL AMBITIOUS SBTI NET-ZERO TARGETS APPROVED

Posted on by hayley.smith@oakland-international.com

Total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International is delighted to have received formal approval following submission of its greenhouse gas emission reduction target(s) to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for Net-Zero Standard. The approval is based on a 2040 target for 90% reduction with an accelerated 2030 target of 42%

Oakland International Sustainability Manager Vera Bruntink explains: “In May 2021, Oakland International joined the Business Ambition for 1.5oC Campaign and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Race to Zero, in order to contribute as a business to achieve net-zero global emissions by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5oC.

“Oakland set ambitious targets that have been verified by SBTi as being in line with the latest climate science requirements to combat climate change, and holding verified SBTi targets ensures Oakland’s targets are backed by science and ensures we are genuinely contributing to the race towards net-zero.

“Although SBTi’s net zero target is 2050 Oakland has targeted 2040 instead as they believe we cannot wait until the last possible moment to reduce emissions. The effects of climate change are happening already, so we need to make a change sooner rather than later and together with Oakland’s long history of working towards reducing emissions, having set targets delivers a clear roadmap and motivation to accelerate this journey.”

Oakland International is a leading D2C/B2C/B2B specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution and brand development support covering ambient, chilled, and frozen food, and services retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK and Ireland. They are also BRCGS AA accredited and have taken the first step to becoming B Corp certified alongside working towards becoming the first business within their sector to achieve net-zero.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING AGREEMENTS FOR EMPLOYERS

Posted on by scharles@questcover.com

Employers need to be aware of investing in employee training costs and how to ensure employees remain in the company for a reasonable period of time to ensure the company benefit from its investment.

To develop your business, it is important to invest in your employees training. Staff will gain experience, qualifications, and skills. Both the employer and employee will benefit from the training. Employers should be mindful that such an investment in their staff needs to be protected by having an effective training agreement. Training employees can be a costly investment. The risk is if you fail to provide a training agreement and the employee leaves shortly after completing the training. Your loss could be your competitor’s gain!

So, what is a training agreement and how will it protect the employer? The training agreement is a contract between the employer and employee defining the terms on which the training is given to the employee. A training agreement should state the cost of the training and who will be paying for the training. Where the employer contributes to the cost of the training the agreement will provide an agreed repayment plan in the event the employee was to leave after completing the training.  Such repayments should be made on a sliding scale. Basically, the longer the employee remains with the employer the less is repaid. The contract should be accompanied by a right to deduct money from the final salary of the employee.

A training agreement will be a valuable to protect your business investment in your staff. Smaller employers will be protected as it will enable them to recover the money employee and reinvest it back into the business.

Without a training agreement the employer will not be able to recover training costs. Making a deduction from an employee’s wage without the employees’ consent will result in an Employment Tribunal Claim for unlawful deduction of wages.

The training agreement must be drafted reasonably to avoid the repayments being interpreted as penalty clauses. Its purpose it to protect your investment in training but not to retrain staff from leaving the business.  The repayment scale must be proportional. The longer the employer stays with you the less the loss will be you as a business. Employee can present a claim to an Employment Tribunal to have the training contract assessed for its enforceability.

Where attendance on a training course is a contractual requirement in connection with the worker employment. Any charge made by either a deduction or payment will reduce National Minimum Wage pay since the amount is an expense incurred in carrying out the employment.

A carefully drafted training agreement will protect your investment in your employee and keep you out of the Employment Tribunal. Quest can assist you in producing training agreements and other HR documents. Should you wish to discuss any employment issue please contact the Quest Advice Line.

A CHICKEN SHOP CLASSIC! INTRODUCING THE ORIGINAL FRIED CHICKEN

Posted on by Lewis Wantling

Meadow Vale Foods is delighted to introduce our latest product, The Original Fried Chicken, 48 succulent pieces of drums and thighs that deliver an instantly recognisable fast-food favourite.

These grade A chicken drum and thigh portions kick off an exciting series of new products to be released by Meadow Vale in 2023, following on from the successful recent launches of our award-winning Homestyle Shredded Chicken, Buttermilk Fillets, and many more.

Current industry insight claims the best way to increase profitability on menus in 2023 is to provide classic dishes that satisfy our comfort food desires alongside a range of exotic sides, that will then deliver an experience that will excite consumers and keep them coming back for more.

Meadow Vale’s Original Fried Chicken offers a high quality, on-trend comfort food classic with great value-per-portion that can bring the best out of any side option, from loaded fries to a refreshing side salad.

Chefs can now create a delicious chicken offering without the need for lengthy preparation. No waste, no mess, just seriously tasty chicken drums and thighs, quick-cooked and served up in any mouth-watering combo.

The Original Fried Chicken pieces are coated in a crunchy ruffled breadcrumb and feature an authentic blend of herbs and spices that give them their distinctive taste, making it an instant chicken shop classic. View the full product specs HERE.

Each of the portions are fully cooked and IQF with a tight calibration, and come in 6kg boxes featuring a vibrant design. Inside the box the drums and thighs are distributed into individual 1kg bags totalling 48 precise pieces, allowing chefs more control over costs and portions with zero waste.

The Original drums and thighs can be deep fried or oven baked from frozen in minutes, saving valuable preparation time and making them a menu favourite for takeaways and restaurants.

To find out more details on this fantastic product and receive support with product information, pricing, marketing and much more, get in touch today.