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TESCO AND ZEELO DRIVE SUCCESS WITH INNOVATIVE STAFF TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIP

Zeelo, the leading UK transit-tech company, and Tesco, a renowned name in retail, are celebrating the success of their innovative partnership in transforming staff transportation at Tesco’s distribution centre in Goole.

 

Zeelo first approached Tesco in 2021 with a unique idea to reduce colleague turnover at its distribution centres. Through close collaboration with Tesco’s People, Innovation, and DC teams, Zeelo has since implemented a series of new colleague bus routes in its Goole location, making the site more accessible to employees.

 

According to a recent survey conducted by Zeelo among Tesco Goole riders, 93% of respondents agreed that the Zeelo service was important for accepting their job. Over the past two years, Zeelo has witnessed a 672% increase in ridership, necessitating the expansion of vehicle sizes to accommodate the growing demand. Notably, in 2023 alone, Zeelo services took 64,000 car journeys off the road, resulting in a significant reduction of 411.36t of CO2 emissions.

 

The impact of Zeelo’s service extends beyond convenience and sustainability. 81% of colleagues stated that they wouldn’t be able to reach work without the service, emphasising its critical role in their daily routines, while 94% believed that it contributed to an improvement in their mental well-being at work.

 

Financially, Zeelo’s service has proven beneficial to employees, with 98% saving money and 92% saving time on their commute. Such advantages have translated into a high level of satisfaction, with over 98% of employees recommending Tesco’s Goole distribution centre as a great place to work due to the service, and 72% expressing a willingness to stay an extra year in their role because of it.

 

“Zeelo’s partnership with Tesco exemplifies our commitment to providing innovative commuting solutions that not only benefit employees but also contribute to a greener, more sustainable future,” said Sam Ryan, CEO of Zeelo. “We are proud to play a pivotal role in enhancing the workplace experience at Tesco and look forward to continuing our journey towards greater accessibility, convenience, and environmental responsibility.”

 

Michael Holmes, Distribution Centre Manager at the Tesco Goole site expressed his own satisfaction with the success of the Zeelo service. “It’s been a great success for our colleagues, and for us. If I go back two years, we only had 600 Tesco colleagues, and what we have done with Zeelo is manage to recruit for Tesco, the agency and even our cleaning team to ensure we hit our headcount, which means we can hit volumes for the stores. 98% of employees feel Zeelo has saved them money, 92% feel it has saved time”.

 

Zeelo is a leading global TransitTech company powering bus operators, employers, and schools to provide highly efficient, sustainable, and affordable transportation programs. Zeelo provides software and managed services to its clients and partners to increase bus occupancy levels, reduce transportation costs, CO2 emissions, and administrative time. Its secure and innovative transportation management software system comprises a SaaS platform, a proprietary routing algorithm, mobile apps for riders and drivers, and 24/7 customer support, ensuring poorly connected commuters have a regular, subsidised, and sustainable bus service, wherever they are based. Headquartered in London with an R&D team in Spain and live operations in the US, UK, and South Africa, Zeelo was founded in 2016 by Sam Ryan, Barney Williams, and Dani Ruiz. The co-founders previously sold their pioneering ride-sharing app JumpIn to Addison Lee in 2014. Zeelo, your next stop. For more information, please visit www.zeelo.co

 

TILDA AND LOVO UNITE TO PROMOTE WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND CELEBRATE CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Tilda is proud to announce its partnership with Ladies of Virtue Outreach CIC (LOVO), a non-profit organisation dedicated to engaging, equipping, and inspiring women and their families. As part of this partnership, Tilda will donate £10,000 to support LOVO’s initiatives over the next 12 months. The partnership will involve multiple joint community initiatives aimed at celebrating cultural diversity and empowering women.

Ladies of Virtue Outreach CIC (LOVO) is at the forefront of community empowerment, tackling challenges like poverty, unemployment, domestic violence. LOVO nurtures individual potential through its core pillars: Community, Growth, Gratitude, Self-Care, Wisdom. A cornerstone of LOVO’s mission is their weekly global lunch in Peckham, where women from diverse cultural backgrounds come together to share traditional dishes. Given that rice is a common ingredient in these meals, Tilda’s support aligns perfectly with LOVO’s celebration of cultural diversity and unity.

The £10,000 donation from Tilda will fund LOVO’s English language programmes and the weekly global lunches for 12 months, expanding their ability to reach and support more women in need. “This partnership with Tilda is a significant step forward for our organisation,” said Ola Olive Stephen, Founder & Director of LOVO. “The funds will enable us to reach more women and provide them with the tools and support they need to overcome their challenges and lead fulfilling lives.”

The Tilda x LOVO collaboration will include a series of community events in 2024, engaging local communities. The first joint event in June featured a vibrant community gathering, with activities such as a Zumba class, a nutritionist talk, and a well-being session. The partnership will continue with a second event in September to further amplify this collaboration.

“We are honoured to partner with LOVO on its mission to empower women now and in the future,” said Jean Phillipe, Managing Director of Tilda. “At Tilda, we are committed to supporting initiatives that align with our belief in the importance of strengthening our community and cultural diversity.”

Tilda’s B Corp certification in 2023 underscores its commitment to meeting high standards of social and environmental responsibility.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in Tilda’s efforts to contribute to society by supporting organisations championing diversity. Together with LOVO, Tilda looks forward to making a difference in the lives of women and their families, creating a future where life in all its flavours can thrive.

 

BIDFOOD BOOSTS LOCAL JOBS AND INCREASES CONNECTIVITY TO BUSINESSES WITH NEW SITE IN NORTH CORNWALL

Leading foodservice provider, Bidfood, is creating up to 30 new jobs for local drivers with its new 15,000 sq. ft depot on the Cooksland Industrial Estate in Bodmin.

In addition, the new site will also help to connect the South West and ease some of the seasonal pressures on Bidfood’s Lee Mill depot, as well as reduce delivery miles and enhance the customer experience for those furthest away from Lee Mill.

Bidfood’s new Bodmin site has already implemented a bespoke Independent Service which allows existing and new customers to order online and via Telesales up to 10pm each day, for next-day delivery.

To start, Bidfood will be operating the unit for van routes to complement the road network in Cornwall and North Devon, with the aim to migrate some HGVS to it once an ‘O’ licence for the site is secured.

Richard Dow, Business Unit Director at for Chepstow, Swansea and Lee Mill commented:

“As part of our strategy to grow sales and deliver service excellence to our customers we’re always reviewing our infrastructure and where we can be expand the local depot network.

“With that in mind, we recognised the opportunity to improve in the South West and I’m incredibly excited to assemble this new team to provide an even better service to the Devon and Cornwall area.

“I’m also delighted that we’re able to give back to the local community, the added jobs coupled with reinforced abilities to support local businesses will give the local economy a great chance to grow.”

WORKPLACE NOISE HINDERING WORKERS IN WAREHOUSES, MANUFACTURING AND LOGISTICS ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH

Acute levels of noise in factories, workshops and warehouses are impeding productivity, according to new research which also shows that two in three workers (66%), rising to 70% of forklift drivers, said workplace noise is an issue.

Despite the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 coming into effect 36 years ago, the survey findings suggest on-site decibels from machinery and vehicles are causing a decline in output, as well as impacting worker wellbeing.

The research focuses on the concerns of employees, particularly those working in loud manufacturing and logistics environments. Some 250 employers and 500 employees took part in the study, which revealed the majority of workplace settings simply aren’t cut out for dealing with mechanical and vehicular noise.

Over half of those surveyed (52%) said that their working environment is either not well (23%) or not very well designed (29%), to do their jobs safely. One in six (16%) say their building has neither been constructed nor significantly refurbished in the last 10 years suggesting outdated occupational design.

The research shows the impact excessive noise at work can have on employee actions. Almost a quarter (23%) of employees surveyed have snapped at a co-worker, whilst the same percentage (23%) have snapped at a manager due to excessive noise.

In addition, a fifth (20%) of employees surveyed have resorted to physical violence, whilst the same percentage (20%) have quit their job, and just under a fifth (19%) of employees surveyed have made a formal complaint due to excessive noise at work.

Respondents commonly reported negative health effects due to high noise levels, such as headaches (26%), hearing difficulties/tinnitus/hearing loss (25%), and stress/anxiety (24%).

The two biggest noise bugbears were heavy machinery and a lack of noise control. Two in five workers (40%) agreed these elements were the most frustrating aspects of workplace noise. Unsurprisingly, a quarter of staff (25%) were delivering poor quality work as a result of high noise levels at work.

The research also flags a perceived lack of empathy amongst employers. A significant portion of employees questioned (35%) felt a complaint would have “no influence on management to address the matter.”

What’s also clear is that bosses largely remain in the dark about the issue. When asked if they recognise how noise in their work environment can lead to a variety of health issues, the percentage that understood potential health implications never rose above a third. This is despite half of employers (49%) believing that acoustic design is important in the workplace.

Less than three in ten (28%) had introduced protective equipment such as ear defenders but these can pose other health and safety risks, with employees not being able to hear important warning signals and oncoming vehicles.

For more information on managing noise please contact: simonbrentnall@bfff.co.uk

BFFF MEMBER: BRUNEL EUROPEAN

Brunel European is proud to have handled over 5000 shipments of POAO inbound from the EU to Dover since Brexit. Brunel has 12 specialist brokers handling daily cold store, temp-controlled shipments, and liaison with port health and Defra as a standard service.

Our friendly team work 24/7 at Dover and are always on hand to help you. mike@brunelshipping.co.uk

BRUNEL FOOD MARKETING INCLUDING NEW RULES.

Brunel POAO changes 30th April

STAPLE FOOD GROUP LAUNCHES NEW RIBELLA HUMMUS RANGE

NEW Ribella Hummus Range is now exclusively available from global sourcing & supply partner, Staple Food Group.

The fastest growing brand in Eastern Europe, Ribella creates phenomenal, tasty food which is good for you and the environment. The range promotes a healthier and more viable food option for discerning consumers.

Ribella is suitable for vegetarians and is gluten free. Ribella also has a 150 day shelf life, perfect for the UK retail market.

Ribella Range:

Ribella Hummus. Smooth and delicious and available in eight flavours; Classic, Italiano, Sweet Onion Salad, Shiitake Mushroom, Spicy, Pumpkin Seeds, Kalamata Olives & Caramelised Garlic.

 

Ribella Grab & Go Pots. Convenient pots of hummus perfect for food to go with a portion of gluten free crackers, made from chickpeas, included. The only vegan and gluten free Grab & Go

pot of its kind. Available in two flavours; Natural and Spicy.

 

Staple Food Group’s high quality products are responsibly sourced with outstanding provenance and sustainability credentials. By using only the best quality ingredients and FSC certified recyclable packaging where possible, Ribella are constantly striving for sustainability.

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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