BFFF Member Arco announces its biggest ever launch of a wider, modernised brand portfolio: ‘Including PPE, hi-vis clothing, chemical protection, responsible choice workwear, fire resistant/arc clothing, working at height products and gloves.

Arco, the UK’s leading safety expert, has launched its most extensive range of safety products to date, bringing over 140 years of experience and expertise, to their PPE and workwear range.

The new range includes high-performance PPE, hi-vis clothing, chemical protection, responsible choice workwear, flame-resistant/arc flash garments, working at height products, and gloves – all designed, developed and tested by Arco, focused on compliance through quality, sustainability and ethical responsibility, the range is Arco made. Arco tested. Designed to exceed industry standards, by Arco experts, with performance, compliance and responsible manufacturing in mind.

The new range brings cost-effective safety equipment to customers without compromising on quality, included in the range:

• Hi-vis range: visible and stylish with enhanced hardwearing materials.
• Chemical protection range: defends against chemicals, contaminants, and pathogens.
• FR/arc clothing: Flame resistant and safety tested, made with superior flash protection, yet comfortable for the wearer.
• Working at height: 15 expertly designed products that are lightweight, padded, and fully compliant.
• Gloves: Dextrous protective gloves, with touchscreen functionality to keep workers protected at all times.
• Responsible choice workwear: featuring Global Recycled Standard (GRS)-certified recycled materials, this range offers ethical, durable, and traceable workwear without compromise

All Arco products are designed to the highest of safety standards, surpassing basic industry criteria and are rigorously tested in the company’s independent UKAS and SATRA accredited Product Assurance Laboratory and backed by its unique five-step product assurance process. The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) found that between December 2023 and December 2024, only 10% of non-member products tested fully met compliance standards – underscoring the importance of trusted suppliers.[1]

Simon Allan-Brooks, Chief Commercial Officer at Arco, said: “At a time when non-compliant products are easier to purchase and harder to spot than ever before, workers need to be confident that what they’re purchasing will protect them. Our new range has been a cornerstone in our safety products offering, enabling customers to purchase all of the necessary items for their working environment at a competitive price, with the peace of mind that the products will keep them safe.

“Revitalising this portfolio with modernised, responsible and optimised safety equipment, designed and tested by Arco means that customers can be confident they are making the ethical, quality and compliant choice. Our commitment to workplace safety has never wavered and with over 140 years of safety experience woven into every product, customers can trust that they and their workers are in safe hands. When it comes to protecting your people, chance nothing.”

To support the launch, Arco is investing in national advertising across TV, digital streaming, outdoor media, radio, and paid social. The full range is also available to explore in person at the Arco Discovery Centre in Hull—offering a hands-on experience of Arco’s innovative approach to safety.

Visitors to the Health and Safety Event at Birmingham NEC (8th–10th April) had the opportunity to explore the new range first-hand. The launch was showcased at the event, giving attendees a preview of Arco’s latest innovations in compliant, high-performance safety products—backed by over a century of expertise.

Explore the full Arco range and find out more: www.arco.co.uk/arco-range

[1] BSIF report finds high failure rates in non-member PPE products

YouTube phenomena the Sidemen have made their way to Brakes, with the launch of a new range of ice cream products under the collective’s Sides brand.

The group, which has a following of more than 22 million followers on YouTube, already successfully run Sides restaurants, where customers chilled out to the ice cream range as they developed and trialled it alongside premium ice cream manufacturer Beechdean.

Crafted at Beechdean’s state-of-the-art facility in Cheshire, the range features bold, indulgent flavours inspired by fan-favourite treats, including Marshmallow Cake; Chocolate Brownie Fudge Cake; American Style Cookie; Cookies & Cream Cookie; Chocolate & Vanilla Cone; and Stracciatella Stick.

The deal with Brakes, the UK’s leading foodservice wholesaler, will see the brand given national distribution, making the quality, trend-driven range available to foodservice businesses across the country for the first time.

Paul Nieduszynski, CEO of Sysco GB, said: “The Sidemen are currently one of the hottest tickets in town and we’re delighted to be able to give the out-of-home sector the opportunity to get their hands on what is sure to be an immediate hit! We’re confident that our customers are going to love the range of flavours, all backed by the on-trend Sides brand.”

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For further information please contact Kevin Coles – kevin@fifthdimensionpr.com or 07776026012

 

 

About Sysco 

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 76,000 colleagues, the company operates 340 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 730,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2024 that ended July 1, 2024, the company generated sales of more than $78 billion. Information about our Sustainability program, including Sysco’s 2023 Sustainability Report and 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, can be found at: www.sysco.com.

Sysco in Great Britain 

As Britain’s leading national broadline supplier, Brakes delivers the highest quality fresh and frozen food and ingredients from its nationwide network of distribution centres to some of the nation’s most famous pubs and restaurants, as well as schools, caterers, care homes and hospitals.  It has the biggest range of award-winning products in foodservice.

kff and Medina Foodservice both offer a regional broadline service with a comprehensive range, delivered with a passion for customer service and local knowledge.

Sysco fresh businesses in Great Britain are led by Fresh Direct, which is the leading specialist supplier of locally and globally sourced fresh produce and dairy across Great Britain, bringing the best of the seasons to chefs’ menus, as well as the finest sourced fresh fish and seafood from M&J Fresh Seafood, as part of a consolidated delivery for many corporate customers.  The very best ingredients for chefs are available from fine food specialist Wild Harvest.

Brakes Catering Equipment provides commercial catering equipment for a variety of catering establishments and their services include a bespoke design service.

Specialist convenience supplier, Country Choice, completes the group and is Britain’s leading supplier of in-store bakery and retail foodservice products.

Sysco has 8,400 colleagues servicing more than 20,000 customers from 30 distribution centres across Great Britain.

Tim Adams, Sales & Marketing Director at Bidfood, is set to embark on a monumental challenge by participating in The Tour 21 in partnership with Flutter, cycling all 21 stages of the Tour de France route one week ahead of the professional race. The event aims to raise over £1 million for Cure Leukaemia, funding the Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP) Network, which facilitates pioneering clinical trials for blood cancer patients across the globe, with someone diagnosed with blood cancer globally every 27 seconds, highlighting the critical need for ongoing research and clinical trials.

Expressing his motivation, Tim stated, “Taking on The Tour 21 has always been a bucket list opportunity for me. I have looked on with admiration over the past few Tours at those that have taken part, and this simply feels like an immense physical and mental challenge that I am incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to take part in.”

Each rider in The Tour 21 commits to raising £30,000. Tim has already surpassed this goal, amassing over £86,000 to date. His fundraising success is bolstered by support from numerous connections across the foodservice industry, with brands such as Wafflemeister, Unilever, Flora, Nestle, Kellanova (Kelloggs) and Kraft Heinz backing his mission.

During stages 16 to 19, Tim will be joined by three riders from his sponsors—Jonathan Tribe (Flora), Tom Franklin (Heinz), and Henry Bowles (Unilever)—who will participate in a four-stage segment as part of their sponsorship, further raising awareness for the cause.

There are limited spaces remaining to join Tim and the Tour 21 team as part of a 4-stage package taking on stages 16-19, including the iconic Mont Ventoux. For more information on the 4-stage package visit https://www.thetour21.co.uk/.

“I’m excited to be part of a team that is going to raise such important funds for this great charity, £1m will be a hell of an achievement and I want to ensure I play my part in getting to this. To think that one day we may be able to prevent blood cancer through the research and trials that are enabled by our fundraising is a truly humbling and motivating thought.”

The Tour 21 team includes former National Chef of The Year, Hayden Groves, serving as a ride captain, underscoring the event’s deep connection with the foodservice industry.

Tim is approaching the £100,000 fundraising milestone and aspires to become The Tour 21’s highest individual fundraiser, aiming to surpass the current record of £120,000, which would fund over two clinical research nurses alone.

He calls upon the foodservice industry and the broader community to support his journey and contribute to making a significant difference in the lives of blood cancer patients worldwide.

To support Tim Adams in his fundraising efforts, please visit his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/timadamstour21

 

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For further information, please contact: Olly White, Senior PR Executive, Bidfood

T: 07514 315 544 or E: oliverwhite@bidfood.co.uk

 

About Bidfood

As one of the UK’s leading foodservice providers, we share our customers’ passion for great food.

But our passion doesn’t stop there. We are also 100% dedicated to delivering service excellence to help our customers succeed and grow.

 

• Our over 10,000 strong product range includes the best of both own brand and leading foodservice brands.
• Our 26 depots, soon to be 27, operating right across the UK allow us to offer a truly unique local service – and the majority of our depot teams are no more than 80 miles away from their customers.
• We offer a comprehensive range of over 250 carefully selected wines, beers, ciders and spirits.
• We don’t stop at just food and drink. We also provide a range of quality catering equipment, from cutlery to cookware, cleaning and disposables.

 

www.bidfood.co.uk / 01494 555 900

Europastry’s brands represent the flavour, freshness and character of each of their product ranges. Quality, artisan bakery and innovation are the common traits that define them.

Cristallino

After a long research and development process, Europastry achieved a bread that defies all the rules, a myth for every baker: an interior with large pockets that is almost crumb-free, protected by a very thin and crisp crust. Its versatility adapts to sweet and savoury preparations. It is a bread that knows how to enfold and enhance the enjoyment of flavour.

Le Brió

Le Brió – A caress for the senses, the most tender and tasty bread. Softness and tenderness are the adjectives that best describe Le Brió: the brand of buttery brioches. They are offered in a wide variety of formats, from mini brioches to bagels and burgers. All are made in the tradition of the authentic French boulangerie.

Dots

It is the most international and, at the same time, the most familiar “bun”. For breakfast, snack or whenever you like, Dots Original always delivers flavour, colour, and fun. Made free of partially hydrogenated fats and artificial colours, they are healthy, moist, and delicious.

Sophie

An exclusive combination of time, ingredients, temperature and passion, Sophie symbolizes the most genuine boulangère passion. The most careful processes, the artisan care for detail, the value of time and the pleasure of the senses. The aroma, texture, appearance and flavour of a sublime puff pastry.

 

Saint Honoré

Saint Honoré is a tribute to bread and its tradition. Is returning to the origins and to what’s most basic and important: the ingredients, the craftmanship and the time. Saint Honoré is also a tribute to Europastry’s history, founder, Pere Gallés, and to his legacy.

 

 

Discover more here: https://europastry.com/uk/en/brands/

Following the raft of US tariffs announced by Donald Trump, the BFFF are keen to understand the impact on UK trade. We would also welcome your thoughts on the list of US products  the UK government may consider imposing a retaliatory 10% tariff upon.

According to a recent IGD report ‘the UK’s food and drink trade with the US is limited, accounting for about 2% of UK imports and about 10% of exports.

Exports to the US are worth about £75m per year, dominated by spirits (50%), followed by fish (17%), cereals (6%) and dairy (5%). Much of this is likely to be made up of products from Scotland’.

The UK Government have also launched a consultation asking what stakeholders think about the impacts that any future UK tariffs might have, if applied on US goods. The information gathered will help the government to assess the scope and impacts of any UK tariff measures that could be applied.

Unfortunately, as a trade association we are unable to access this consultation to review the questions, or answer it directly on your behalf but we would encourage members to:

• Respond formally to the consultation which can be accessed here (by 1^st May)

Share your thoughts with us by emailing deniserion@bfff.co.uk. This will ensure we can represent your interests most effectively during conversations with government officials.

Mindful Chef, a UK-based provider of healthy meal kits, has fully implemented Rack Collapse Prevention’s safety system across their Worcestershire operations.

After seeing how effective Rack Collapse Prevention performed whilst at the same time ensuring their workforce remained safe and productive in their dry and chilled stores and production areas, Mindful Chef reengaged Rack Collapse Prevention to include their despatch and vegetable stores, with the complete installation covering some 800 frames.

A B Corp enterprise Mindful Chef is a recipe kit box provider which uses fresh and healthy ingredients and has produced over 30 million meals to over 400,000 customers whilst donating more than 19 million meals to children living in poverty through their One Feeds Two food programme.

Rack Collapse Prevention’s safety system uses cables that are either suspended from the building’s frame where appropriate or supported by a separate cable support when necessary. In contrast to many other safety systems that reinforce from the bottom, Rack Collapse Prevention’s safety system secures from the top, ensuring racking structures remain upright during a collision event. This design effectively safeguards both employees and products.

The latest innovation from the company, the Spy Rack monitoring system, employs an advanced 24/7 laser monitoring technology. This system continuously tracks movement and detects impacts on racking, automatically sending real-time alerts via an application to designated personnel. This new system enhances record-keeping and storage of impact data, providing warehouse teams with an additional tool to identify weak areas and high-risk zones, enabling prompt corrective measures.

Rack Collapse Prevention’s Managing Director Craig Attwell commented: “Working around the team at Mindful Chef the installation took just two-days to complete and during normal business hours.

“As an innovative and safety conscious business Mindful Chef were delighted with our initial installation and wanted the same level of security and confidence throughout the rest of their store operations.”

Rack Collapse Prevention’s safety system enhances warehouse safety in ambient, chilled, and frozen environments across the UK, Europe, Ireland, and beyond. It’s also suitable for earthquake-prone regions.

 

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Company details:       Rack Collapse Prevention Ltd. +44(0) 1527 66191/ +44 (0) 7715 764350 www.rcpsystem.com X: @RackRcp LinkedIn: rack-collapse-prevention-limited

 

For all enquiries please contact Kathryn Watts m: 07970 547469 e: k.watts@evopr.com – If you do not wish to continue to receive press releases in the future, please let me know and I will remove your address from my distribution group.

The Oakland Foundation, a children’s charity, is pleased to confirm that it has secured new business funding for the upcoming year.

Supporting disadvantaged children and young people across England and Wales, the Oakland Foundation, founded by total supply chain solution provider Oakland International, has secured new business funding from Avanti Print and Packaging and Coolways UK.

Oakland Foundation Trustee Mark Williams commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to have gained additional funding from Avanti Print and Packaging and Coolways UK.

“Their financial commitment will ensure even more vulnerable children and their families this year will have access to opportunities previously out of reach due to financial constraints or disadvantage.

“We are sincerely grateful for their support and that of our founding sponsor, Oakland International, as together their contributions will ensure that those in greatest need receive the highest level of funding possible, and we deeply appreciate their generosity. It’s wonderful to be working with like-minded, compassionate, and forward-thinking people.”

With 2025 already proving to be a busy year, efforts continue to ensure the charity maximises new opportunities and funding partnerships. These developments represent an exciting phase for the organisation.

Director of Avanti Print and Packaging Holly Bennett stated: “Avanti Print and Packaging are excited to join in Partnership with the Oakland Foundation, it is an honour to align our business with such an incredible Charity. Together we aim to build a solid alliance and create more opportunities in Education, Health, and Sport to support the next generation.”

Director of Coolways and Avanti Paul Elliott added: “Coolways-UK are absolutely delighted to align ourselves with the Oakland Foundation and their work going forward, and we are thrilled to be supporting their aims given our history with Oakland International and the wider family of companies to be found within their locations.

“We have always been made to feel part of the family and it is a natural progression of Coolways-UK to formally join and represent the aims of the Foundation with gusto.”

The Oakland Foundation offers grants for children and youth programs focused on education, health and nutrition, and sports, for children under 16 and their families. The charity aims to enable every child, regardless of background or ability, to participate.

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Image from L to R: Coolways UK Steven Yardley, Oakland Foundation trustee Luke Attwell, Avanti Print and Packaging Caitlin Allsop and Holly Bennett, Foundation trustees Mark Williams and Peter Vaughan, and Paul Elliott of Avanti and Coolways.

Editor’s notes: The Oakland Foundation is a charity 1153547, created by Redditch based food logistics and distribution firm Oakland International, aimed specifically at reducing child poverty across England and Wales through their work in the areas of Health and Nutrition, Education and Sport.

Charity details:       Oakland Foundation Limited UK: +44 (0) 1527 596 222

For all enquiries please contact: Kathryn Watts m: 07970 547469

e: k.watts@evopr.com – If you do not wish to continue to receive press releases in the future, please let me know and I will remove your address from my distribution group.

 113 million products were redistributed in 2024

 

Company Shop Group today revealed that it redistributed 113 million products in 2024, saving UK shoppers £130 million on their food bills – up by £9 million on last year.

 

These new statistics were published as part of Company Shop Group’s latest impact report, launched [today] to mark the start of Food Waste Action Week (17-23 March). And with 10.7 million tonnes of food being wasted in the UK each year – and nearly 10 million people living in food poverty – the need for solutions has never been greater.

 

In 2024, Company Shop Group redistributed over 46,000 tonnes of food and drink – the equivalent of 110 million meals – to individuals and families across the UK, the same as feeding the entire population 1.6 times. This also had a significant environmental impact, saving 124,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, the equivalent of removing over 72,000 cars from the road for a year. By preventing waste and promoting a circular economy, the Group plays a crucial role in creating a more sustainable future.

 

Through its unique and scalable model, Company Shop Group provided tailored surplus solutions to over 800 retail and manufacturing partners last year, helping them manage surplus efficiently at every stage of the product lifecycle. By investing in problem-solving capabilities, in the past three years, the Group relabelled 55 million products and washed 7.8 million bottles, items that would have otherwise gone to waste. The partnership between Company Shop Group and its stock partners helps reduce waste, recoup value, and enhance environmental and social responsibility. In 2024, Company Shop Group paid back £49 million to its partners taking the Group’s total financial return to the industry in the last five years to a staggering £188 million.

 

Community Shop, the social enterprise arm of Company Shop Group and the UK’s first social supermarket, worked to tackle food insecurity in communities experiencing social inequality. Through its Community stores, members saved £11.8 million on shopping, Community Kitchens fed 120,000 children for free, and Community Hubs delivered 54,000 development programmes, helping 3,100 people into higher education and 2,800 people through our progress academy.

 

Chris Burns, Managing Director of Company Shop Group, said: “Joining Company Shop Group has been an incredible journey, and I am so proud to be part of an organisation that transforms surplus into meaningful impact. Over the past year, we’ve supported more families, saved more products from going to waste and   strengthened our partnerships across the industry.

 

This report highlights not just the numbers but the lives we’ve changed along the way. We’re committed to doing more in the coming year, because every surplus product saved is an opportunity to create value for people, planet, and industry.”

 

Gary Stott, Executive Chairman of Community Shop said: “In 2024, Community Shops around the country have continued to deliver life-changing support to individuals, families and communities. This year we launched our white paper on the future of food aid in the UK, which demonstrated our deep commitment to creating long-lasting change and tackling food insecurity at its roots. We’re equipped and ready to drive this mission forward in the years to come.”

 

These statistics, along with many others, are available in Company Shop Group’s new impact report which can be downloaded here

 

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ABOUT COMPANY SHOP GROUP 

 

Company Shop Group is the UK’s leading and longest-standing redistributor and retailer of surplus products and is part of the wider Biffa Group. The commercial arm of the business operates a network of 13 Company Shop ‘surplus supermarkets’ across England and Scotland, which sell discounted surplus from over 800 brands, retailers and manufacturers to its members, who meet specific criteria. A percentage of the profit is re-invested in Community Shop, a social enterprise tackling the root causes of food insecurity in communities experiencing social inequality, by providing access to deeply discounted food and household essentials, along with life-changing personal development programmes. The Group supports the industry in managing surplus at every stage of the product lifecycle, investing in problem-solving capabilities and helping to reduce waste and recoup value for businesses.

 

 

ABOUT COMMUNITY SHOP 

 

Community Shop is an award-winning social enterprise and the UK’s first social supermarket, which aims to tackle the root causes of food insecurity in communities experiencing social inequality. With three interconnecting spaces within one building, Community Store provides access to deeply discounted food and essentials, including fruit, veg and bread for only 20p. The profits from the store are then invested in Community Hub, which delivers a life-changing holistic support programme, empowering people to develop their own capabilities and deliver a positive future for themselves. Additionally, each Community Shop has a Community Kitchen, a café that allows people to connect with others and learn through food, as well as providing home-cooked meals for the community with kids eating free every day. The unique model uses surplus products donated by its stock partners through Company Shop Group, ensuring that no product needlessly goes to waste, whilst simultaneously providing a sustainable support model for thousands of families each year.

Company Shop Group is part of Biffa plc. Join the conversation at www.companyshopgroup.co.uk, or on LinkedIn.
For more information please contact:

Jasmine Adams: jasmine.adams@greenhouse.agency +44 7304 079622

Charlotte Senior: charlotte.senior@greenhouse.agency +44 7736 809231