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CAMPDEN BRI LAUNCHES ‘CAMPDEN LEARNING’, AN ON DEMAND E-LEARNING PLATFORM TAILORED TO THE FOOD AND DRINK INDUSTRY

Campden BRI, the leading global training provider to the food and drink industry, is excited to launch its innovative on demand e-learning platform, Campden Learning.  The new platform brings together deep industry knowledge and expertise using dynamic digital tools to deliver an interactive and engaging training experience.  With Campden Learning, participants can enjoy first-rate training in any location they choose and are able to play and pause their learning to suit their professional and personal commitments.

Campden Learning training manager, Jo Rathkey comments,

Campden Learning is a fantastic example of the many initiatives that Campden BRI is developing for the food and drink industry.

The nature of our sector means that businesses cannot afford to be left behind on information, knowledge and the latest thinking around a number of topics.  We know the pressures the food and drink industry must manage and that time is often scarce as a consequence, so we designed Campden Learning to offer a practical solution to time-pressured employees who need to fit the demands of their profession around their learning.  Our new platform allows participants to dip in and out of their courses whilst easily keeping track of their progress.

In addition, we know businesses require assurance that their employees are receiving the very best high-quality training available, with minimal downtime and optimal results to maximise their training budgets.  By choosing training from the market leader, via the Campden Learning platform, they know they can trust the quality of the information and its delivery.”

Adopting on demand e-learning means that no matter where your workforce is, whether in one location or scattered across continents, all of them can benefit from the learning provided by the market leading experts in food and drink industry training.

Campden Learning content is developed by Campden BRI’s experienced subject matter experts to produce audio-led bitesize sessions using a combination of video, animation, graphics and interactive tools, ensuring an engaging experience for participants.  Learning is reinforced using activities and knowledge check quizzes.  An Introduction to Thermal Processing is the first course to be offered, with more courses to follow throughout 2023.

Find out more about Campden Learning and how it can help your employees and your business to benefit from first-class training on demand.  Contact training@campdenbri.co.uk.

 

IT’S TIME TO BE RECOGNISED FOR YOUR INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS!

The UK has an inspiring number of innovative, credible brands which make food and drink one of our most successful exports.  Now is the time to celebrate all that hard work at the FDEA Export Awards 2022.

Are you proud of your international sales? Do you have a commitment to export that should be celebrated? Enter the FDEA Export Awards!

Chilled & Frozen Food Exporter of the Year
Grocery Exporter of the Year
Drinks Exporter of the Year
Sweets – Biscuits – Snacks Exporter of the Year
Plant Based – Free From – Exporter of the Year
Wholesale Exporter of the Year
Professional Service Provider of the Year

Deadline extended to 24 October 2022

AND why not congratulate your overseas partner with the special nominated award for International Distributor of the Year? sponsored by ESMA.

 

Have you excelled in a key sector of the market?
Additional awards will be judged from the category entries:
Foodservice ;  E-Commerce ; Private Label ~
plus
EXPORTER OF THE YEAR – THE BEST OF THE BEST

We know you’re all busy so have kept the entry process simple. 
Click below to find out more and access the online entry form.

Time to give it a go!

Entries cost £49 – refunded when you book a delegate place for the 8 December Export Forum Event and Awards Lunch

ENTER THE AWARDS

ASG SERVICES POWERS AHEAD WITH SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS

ASG Services, the labelling and integrated safety solutions specialist, is expanding its operations with the launch of a subsidiary business specialising in the supply of sustainable energy solutions for the warehousing and logistics sector.

The move is seen as timely with the sector facing mounting costs due to the massive hike in energy prices, twinned with an increasing desire by industry to source sustainable energy solutions.

The new company, ASG Energy Services Ltd, is jointly owned by Westbrook Industrial Ltd and alternate energy specialist Perfect Sense Ltd, an established supplier of solar panels. The launch of the new business is also an important move for the parent group as it will mean the creation of a number of new jobs, as well as significant new investment.

The JV sees representatives from Perfect Sense joining directors from Westbrook on the board of the new company. The individual directors will be combining their experiences to deliver a significant new offer in the alternative energy market.

ASG Energy Services will specialise in supplying sustainable energy solutions to the warehousing and logistics sector. In this way it will complement the existing wings – ASG Services & Warehouse Partners – of the Westbrook Industrial group, which is continually exploring ways of expanding its offer to this important sector.

The new company will be specialising in technologies such as Commercial Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems, which can be fitted to the roof of new warehousing or logistics facilities, or else retrofitted to existing buildings. Other services include onsite industrial battery storage and with the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, onsite charging points.

Alternative heating systems, such as ground and air source, will also be available, as will radiant heat systems such as Far infrared heating. As with the PV systems, these will be available for new build projects as well as retrofit installations.

The company will also be offering advice on tariff selection and money saving options to reduce energy bills. The business will review current tariffs and provide a comprehensive market comparison that will also include options for 100% carbon free renewable energy tariffs.

Tony Gresty, Managing Director, Westbrook Industrial said: “We have unrivalled experience of the warehousing and logistics sector having specialised in providing integrated safety solutions for the industry for more than 25 years.

“We are using this experience to provide businesses in the sector with sustainable energy solutions that will assist in the reduction of carbon emissions across their operations. The reduction of greenhouse gases is no longer desired, it is essential, and our market research suggests there is very strong interest in such an offer.”

He said a Commercial Solar PV system could be mounted on a suitable roof with an orientation from East to West through the Southerly side of the compass or could be ground mounted.

“Our Solar PV expert team has a vast amount of experience, and our design-led approach ensures that the system will optimise returns related to the electrical energy generated, your energy bill savings and the amount of income that is generated over the lifetime of the system usually 25 years plus,” added Mr Gresty.

The benefits of installing such a system are considerable. They can:

  • Significantly reduce a facility’s carbon emissions
  • Protect a company from future energy price rises
  • Typically, produce return-on-investment within three years
  • Demonstrate a company’s environmental credentials to its customers, and
  • Help towards a business’s Net Zero commitments

ASG Energy Services is also practicing what it preaches having installed PV panels on the roof of its headquarters at Easter Court in Warrington, along with electric vehicle charging points to support its new fleet of electric cars.

“We strongly believe in the benefits of such systems, both from an economic and an ethical perspective, which is why we have taken the decision to install them at our premises. We are excited to see the benefits of such technologies and we think our customers will be as well,” said Mr Gresty.

For more information on ASG Energy Services visit www.asgservices.co.uk/energy-services or talk to one of its specialists on 01925 972580.

HMRC CONFIRM REUSABLE PLASTIC CRATES ARE EXEMPT FROM PLASTIC PACKAGING TAX

Members will be pleased to hear that after reviewing information received from industry regarding reusable plastic crates HMRC have determined that they DO fall within the definition of transport packaging and are therefore exempt from Plastic Packaging Tax when imported into the UK filled with goods. This exemption applies regardless of whether they are leased or owned.

The Plastic Packaging Tax primary legislation contained in the Finance Act 2021 exempts transport packaging where it is imported into the UK filled with goods.

This exemption will also apply to pallet wrap and straps when used to import goods. However, IBCs will remain in scope of the tax when imported filled, as they are used to import a single sales unit and therefore do not meet the definition of transport packaging.

(Note, these items are not exempt from PPT when they are manufactured in the UK or imported unfilled).

PPT has been in place since 1 April 2022 and only one return has been required from liable businesses. Should you already have accounted for these transport packaging items, you can amend a previous return. You are advised to sign into your plastic packaging account and choose ‘View or amend submitted returns’. If you are due a repayment as a result, you can request a repayment.

GOV.UK guidance has been updated to reflect this position which you can now find here.

HMRC have also produced a toolkit to help you understand the steps you need to take. This can be accessed here

AVIAN INFLUENZA PREVENTION ZONE ONCE AGAIN IN FORCE ACROSS GB

Due to the increased risk of avian influenza from wild birds, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has once again come into force across Great Britain.

From Monday 17th October, it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures, as failure to do so could result in more cases. This applies to all bird keepers in England, Scotland, and Wales, whether birds are kept commercially or as pets, regardless of whatever type or size. These measures include cleansing and disinfecting clothing, footwear, and equipment, reducing the movement of people to and from areas, and preventing access by poultry to ponds and watercourses.

More information is available in the press release on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain

RETAINED EU LAW (REVOCATION AND REFORM) BILL UPDATE

On 22nd September, the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022 was presented to Parliament. ‘The Bill’ seeks to provide a domestic law basis for amending or revoking the ‘retained EU laws’.  Those which do make it into UK domestic law will lose the term ‘retained EU law’ and will be known as ‘assimilated laws’ whereas any that don’t will be repealed (i.e., lost).

This exercise of revoking or amending must be completed by 31st December 2023 which although seems some time away, is actually very tight, considering there are over 2400 retained EU laws which govern over 21 sectors of the UK economy, food and drink being just one of them. Anything that remains ‘unaddressed’ after this date will be effectively lost. We are informed that the FSA alone have 113 pieces of retained EU law – equating to 1000 individual pieces of regulation! Add to this the fact that there are resourcing issues right across the civil service and you can appreciate just how big a task this is going to be.

Bearing this in mind, the priority will undoubtedly be around preservation of what we have, certainly in the short term. And actually, many of the retained EU laws were the subject of extensive consultation before being adopted in the EU and the UK had significant input into them. So why would we want to massively change them?

Nevertheless, we are told that they will be looking at opportunities where we would like to change things perhaps making them more streamlined or more efficient. We are reassured that cross-Government department meetings are regularly taking place to understand interdependencies and ensure unilateral decisions. A full programme of work is to be developed in due course, including plans to engage with industry so as soon as we hear more on this, we will let you know. It is likely however, that any wider reforms will take us into 2026/27.

The Bill is awaiting it’s second reading in Parliament which we are told should be any time now. We will keep you updated but if you wish to follow its progress you can do so here

 

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
Upcoming Events More Events
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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