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CONSTELLATION COLD LOGISTICS ENTERS DANISH MARKET WITH AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE AGRI-NORCOLD A/S

Constellation Cold Logistics , a leading European cold storage and logistics provider, has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Agri-Norcold A/S (“Agri-Norcold”). The transaction brings Constellation’s first entry into the Danish market, strengthening its European footprint and service offering in the Nordics for existing and new customers.

 

Agri-Norcold, headquartered in Aalborg, Denmark, has been the leading player in the Danish cold storage industry since its establishment in 1964. Agri-Norcold owns and operates 10 facilities strategically positioned near major food production hubs, import / export points, and major cities ensuring efficient transportation and logistics flows. Its extensive network across Denmark boasts a total of 865,756 m3 of frozen storage, or 266,000 pallet spaces, in addition to major freezing and packing infrastructure. Since 2012, Agri-Norcold has been jointly owned by TA-Logistics and Danish Crown.

 

Carlos Rodriguez (Constellation’s CEO) said “The addition of Agri-Norcold to our network opens up strategic opportunities in Denmark and strengthens Constellation’s leading position in the Nordics, where we already enjoy strong partnerships and growth opportunities with our customers in Norway and Sweden.

 

Agri-Norcold’s long standing relationship with Danish Crown and several other meat, dairy, seafood and packaged food producers positions the company well for future growth. Denmark is one of the largest net exporters of food products in Europe, and this transaction will allow us to continue to grow with new customers, as well as many others that we already serve across the Constellation network.”

 

Thorkil Andersen (CEO, TA-Logistics A/S and Chairman for Agri-Norcold) said “I’m very pleased that Agri-Norcold is joining Constellation.  The Agri-Norcold team’s customer service focus is very much aligned with Constellation’s responsiveness and culture, and they look forward to benefiting from the capabilities of a pan-European network.  TA-Logistics companies look forward to collaborating with Constellation, both within Denmark and in other operating geographies where Frode Laursen and other companies of the group provide transportation and other value add services.”

 

Jan Nielsen (Agri-Norcold’s MD) said “I would like to congratulate our employees for the great company that they have built over the years. They should take great pride in what we have achieved together, and they can look forward to greater opportunity and growth as part of the wider Constellation network. I would also like to thank our customers for the trust they place in us every day, I am excited to be able now to provide them with solutions across Europe, and to extend our services in Denmark to existing Constellation customers. Constellation and Agri-Norcold share common values and I truly believe that we can achieve great things together.”

 

Constellation is Europe’s leading independent cold storage and logistics provider with approximately 700,000 pallet positions of temperature-controlled capacity and a presence across seven European countries, excluding the Agri-Norcold acquisition. www.constellationcold.com

 

TA-Logistics is a family-owned investment company that focuses solely on logistics.  TA – logistics owns, leads and develop operational logistic companies. These include Frode Laursen A/S, IN-Store A/S, Kaj Madsen Fjelstrup A/S, Skanol A/S and other subsidiaries, with more than 3,000 employees, 600.000 m2 warehouse and 1,300 transport vehicles across the group.

 

www.TA-Logistics.dk          www.frode-laursen.com

COMPANY FINED AFTER PALLETS STORED INCORRECTLY AND EMPLOYEE SERIOUSLY INJURED

The BFFF remind its members of the importance of risk assessment in stacking pallets, separating people from workplace transport and ensuring racking is in good order. The below serves as a clear reminder of the importance of adhering to commercial health and safety protocols, as well as the consequences for those who do not.

A UK food wholesaler with 12 sites across England, was fined £776,286 following multiple injuries suffered by an employee at one of its depots. The company had failed to meet their basic legal obligations and as a result, one of their employees has suffered significant injuries

The company pleaded guilty to four offences under health and safety laws at the local Magistrates Court and was ordered to pay a total of £776,286.30. This includes a fine of £760,000 and £16,286.30 prosecution costs.

The case followed an incident in April 2022, in which an employee was buried under a pallet of frozen chips that fell on him as he walked into the freezer, leaving him with multiple serious injuries.

An investigation by the enforcement team identified that the RIDDOR report submitted by the company was inaccurate.

The initial report alleged that a 28-year-old employee had only suffered a broken ankle, however it was later discovered that the full extent of the injuries sustained was much more severe.

The employee suffered multiple injuries which required intensive care and underwent a total of three operations. It would then take a further three months before the employee could return home with the help of a support worker.

The investigation showed that on the morning of 15 April 2022, space was restricted in the freezer warehouse, leading to two pallets of frozen food being stacked on top of each other. When the employee walked into the freezer the top pallet fell onto him.

Further investigation showed that the way in which goods were stacked had not been assessed and a Prohibition Notice was issued to prevent this from happening again.

Following a health and safety inspection of the site, four Improvement Notices were also served due to:

  • The lack of suitable and sufficient risk assessments for stacking of goods.
  • The lack of separation of pedestrians and vehicles for both employees and visitors to the site.
  • Failing to ensure that racking was maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair.

For assured industry guidance or specific OSH queries, we are here to help and support our members,  please contact simonbrentnall@bfff.co.uk for further information.

CLANDESTINE ENTRANTS – PROTECTING YOUR RISK

BFFF member, Backhouse Jones will be running a short webinar with the RHA on 23rd August 2024 on the legal issues surrounding clandestine entrants.

Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2021763730270265437

BUSINESS SPONSORS CONFIRMED FOR CHARITY BALL

Children’s charity the Oakland Foundation has announced its sponsors for their upcoming Charity Ball taking place at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford Upon Avon on Saturday 28th September.

Crowne Plaza in addition to supporting the event, hosted by family business and total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International, will also be sponsoring the guests’ drinks reception for the evening.

Oakland Foundation trustee Luke Attwell expressed his gratitude: “We want to extend a massive thank you to all who are attending the Charity Ball and offer our thanks to Oakland International, the Crowne Plaza and to our sponsors SPAR UK, Renault, Coolways, Avanti Packaging, R Recruitment, and IMA Cooling Systems, whose generous support is vital in making this event so successful.

“As well as creating and gaining business awareness and participation, we are hoping to raise as much money as we can for the Foundation from the evening.”

The Oakland Foundation supports children under the age of 16 and their families through initiatives based around education, health and nutrition, and sport, with their aim to ensure children, irrespective of social background or physical ability, can participate.

The Oakland Foundation has funded projects worth more than £475,000 aimed at supporting underprivileged children and strives to enhance the lives of even more young people by raising awareness and collaborating with more businesses on specific projects and targeted initiatives.

“We are technically sold out for the event, which is amazing news, however the venue has been very accommodating in trying to make room for the odd couple of spaces from those still keen to attend closer to the event, so please do get in touch!” added Luke.

Enquiries about the event can be sent to: charityball@oakland-international.com and for more information about the work of the charity please visit:  www.oakland-foundation.com

CHEERS! SMI IS WORKING WITH BRITAIN’S OLDEST BREWER

Thermal protection specialists at Seymour Manufacturing International are working with Britain’s oldest brewer to help keep its award-winning product range in perfect condition.

Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame has been based in the market town of Faversham, Kent for over 300 years, and has more than 300 pubs and hotels throughout London and the South East, from the historic heart of the City to the Kent coastline.

Perhaps best known for great British classic ales such as Spitfire Amber, which carries the Royal Warrant, Shepherd Neame’s diverse portfolio includes Bear Island East Coast Pale Ale and Bear Island Triple Hopped Lager, and the Whitstable Bay Collection. It also brews international lagers under licence including premium Thai lager Singha.

The company has turned to Telford-based SMI to provide thermal protection products including Cold-Stop curtains and thermal panels which ensure its brands are maintained at optimum temperature.

Ross Clarke, SMI business development manager, said: “We initially supplied two trial sets of curtains to the company’s Bishops Finger pub in Canterbury and Jamaica Wine House in London last year.

“Since then, we have been rolling out further installations in several of its other pubs, as well as its historic brewery and visitor centre.

“By the end of this summer, we will have supplied Cold-Stop curtains and Tempro thermal panels to 43 different locations.”

Tempro is SMI’s award-winning, lightweight thermal insulation material which has been scientifically proven to cut energy loss by at least 25% in chillers, and an amazing 33% in freezers.

It remains unchallenged as the world’s thinnest and most thermally efficient material of its kind.

Ian Barsby, head of technical and quality services at Shepherd Neame, said: “We have been incredibly pleased with SMI’s team and products, and hope to install thermal curtains in all remaining managed pubs and hotels by June 2025.

“We have installed thermal curtains in cellars at more than 40 of our sites, and in walk-in fridges and freezers at 15 of our sites. These are placed on all exits to ensure the space remains at the optimum temperature.

“As a business, we are committed to doing the right thing for our communities, our people and our environment.

“We continue to invest in state-of-the-art technologies to provide energy and emissions savings around our business, including working with the team at SMI to improve insulation in our pubs.”

DELIGHT FOR FAMILY BUSINESS KORKER SAUSAGES

India Hoad, Head of Sales and Marketing at Korker Sausages Ltd and fourth generation within the business, has recently been shortlisted in the category Manufacturing/Processing in the Women in Meat Industry Awards 2025.  These prestigious awards reward and recognise outstanding female talent within the UK meat industry.

Vote for your winner here:  https://lnkd.in/gxb4itv

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
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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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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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