Food & Drink News September/October 2023

EXCLUSIVE FEATURES

URBANCHAIN SAVING THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE SECTOR’S ENERGY CRISIS… ONCE AND FOR ALL

KISMET KEBABS MEET THE KEBAB KING!

PUBLISHER

Planet Media & Design Ltd

Brooke’s Mill Huddersfield HD4 7NR

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Jillian Evans

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

Shazia Hussain

CHIEF EDITOR David Barnett

SUB-EDITOR

Abigail Wears

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Sustainability is the watchword for anyone involved in food production these days Of course the accent is on the environmental benefits of making food production processes more streamlined and less energy-guzzling

Many companies are setting themselves net-zero targets to work towards as they look at ways to cut down energy use

But the side effect of this is that it saves money, which is something everyone involved in the sector is acutely aware of the need to do We have seen in recent years how external influences that cannot be controlled are making life far more unpredictable Pandemic, war and weather conditions mean nothing can be taken for granted

We are facing a very different future and one that means we all have to adapt to survive both in business and in wider life

David Barnett

CHIEF EDITOR

KOCKTAIL RETURNS TO COVENT GARDEN WITH FUTURISTIC SUMMER POP-UP ACTIVATION

Newcastle-based cocktail company, Kocktail, has announced its return to Covent Garden this August, unveiling its first ever cocktail vending machine

After a successful spring pop-up in May 2022, Kocktail is returning to the iconic central London location, for a threeweek activation from Saturday 12 August to Sunday 3 September

The team served a selection of their awardwinning drinks and summer cocktails, including the newest launch

Kocktail’s Strawberry & Lychee Margarita

The futuristic activation has been inspired by retro-Americana with a nod towards the hey-day convenience culture – with cocktails on demand

Visitors were able to purchase specially

designed tokens to slot into Kocktail’s innovative cocktail vending machine Three different styles of drink were on the menu to choose from with a freshly poured self-service: frozen margaritas, a classic negroni and old fashioned A partnership with plant delivery service Beards & Daisies saw a range of real and faux plants supplied to style the space, all of which will be shoppable via QR codes Kocktail s upcycled 70 s ice cream van were adding to the retro-vibe making its debut in central London to serve even more visitors with freshly shaken drinks

Co-founder of Kocktail Emil Stickland said: We re delighted to be returning to Covent Garden with a three-week summer pop-up in London’s most iconic piazza Summer and

cocktails go hand in hand and we ’ re looking forward to serving refreshing, freshly mixed drinks and showcasing our latest launches

Whether visitors are popping in after work or catching up with friends over the weekend, our brand-new cocktail vending machine is set to be the main attraction and a must-try for cocktail lovers

Kocktail’s Covent Garden pop-up will arrive on Saturday 12th August, open daily from 11am to 9pm until Sunday 3rd September. For more information on the event and to browse the online collection, visit www.kocktail.co.uk.

HYGIENE TRIO JOIN FORCES

Danish food hygiene equipment expert joins forces with Warrington hygiene solution provider Christeyns Food Hygiene (CFH) and application partner H&M Disinfection Systems Ltd, to offer unique turnkey solution

The leading family-owned supplier of detergents and disinfectants Christeyns Food Hygiene, has joined forces in a tripartner initiative with specialist producers of world-renowned equipment manufacturer Foamico and hygiene equipment specialists H&M Disinfection

This partnership provides the confidence that hygiene operations need to deliver world-class cleaning in the demanding food dairy and beverage industries from design and supply to effective cleaning and disinfection

For over 30 years Christeyns Food Hygiene has produced effective formulations of detergents and disinfectants for all applications in the food, dairy and beverage industries with customers from across a range of household consumer brands and suppliers to the UK’s food retailers As part of family-owned Belgium parent company, Christeyns NV the firm draws on the expertise and knowledge of a multinational

team of experts

Foamico is an independent manufacturer of superior cleaning solutions in the food, dairy and beverage industries Its core business is to develop, manufacture and deliver reliable and efficient cleaning solutions for surface and open plant cleaning worldwide Operating in 50 countries, Foamico’s key focus is on food safety with a reputation for innovation and reliability

Having worked with CFH for three decades, H&M Disinfection Ltd have built a reputation for providing high-quality bespoke hygiene application equipment

which is the cornerstone of many customers’ food safety management systems The partnership was formalised last year to provide customers with a more streamlined service in the provision of topquality formulations and equipment

In partnership, the three firms are committed to improving customers hygiene operations through effective detergents and disinfectants, and the highest quality of bespoke equipment The new strategic alliance will allow the provision of a unique turnkey solution to the food, dairy and beverage industries in the UK , supplying chemicals required to achieve food safety coupled with the equipment critical to delivering those products to the food contact surface

“

This is a major step for us and our customers states CFH Operations Director Andy Bethel “ Three specialist companies coming together to provide excellent equipment, control systems and reliable pump-sets combined with specialised formulations, will ensure our customers have a one-point solution for both chemistry and application equipment they can rely on

High-speed doors f or automated parcel handling

The Czec h Post is one of t he largest nationwide providers of parcel ser vices In 2020, it handled more than 52 million parcels Suc h a number of transpor ted shipments places a considerable demand on logistic processes, employees, and its facilities The depot in t he Malešice distr ict of Prague is one of t he busiest distribution centres in the Czec h Republic. In 2022, as par t of the moder nisation and acceleration of t he logistics processes, t he doors t here were replaced wit h 14 high-speed doors from EFAFLEX.

Transport automation and speed

The decision to modernise the Malešice distribution centre was taken in response to the growing number of shipments and the ever increasing requirements placed on transport companies In addition to the high number of transported parcels, the centre has another stand out feature: the shipments arrive there by both road and rail, and also leave the depot in the same way. The original on- site facilities were no longer sufficient for the growing requirements, as some doors weren’t automated at the changeover points Some of the doors had to be opened and closed manually, which failed to suit the increased automation of the transport of the shipments at the depot

In recent years in particular, transport companies have had to cope with an ever-increasing number of shipments This means that all the logistical operations have to be carried out as efficiently as possible Thanks to their speed, reliability and exceptionally durable design, the doors from EFAFLEX make a significant contribution to ensuring the correct levels of speed and reliability during the handling and delivery of shipments And that is also the reason why the doors from EFAFLEX are doing a great job at the Malešice depot of the Czech postal service

Reliability and many opening cycles

At the Malešice depot, EFAFLEX has installed 13 EFA- SST Essential highspeed doors and one EFA- SST-L ECO door in the suspended ceiling design The deciding factors during the selection process included the advantages of the doors as well as the excellent price -performance ratio, their speed, reliability and durability, and their guaranteed annual number of cycles In terms of the depot operations, where millions of orders are processed and a large number of opening cycles are put to full use, this is one of the key advantages of the EFAFLEX doors

Energy savings

Another advantage of the doors from EFAFLEX is their contribution to energy savings. Even if it isn’t obvious at first glance as to why the opening and closing speed is so important, the answer is actually straightforward High- speed doors have a significantly faster opening and closing speed than sectional doors, and also have a longer service life The high opening and closing speed of the doors prevents heat escaping from the building and therefore makes a significant contribution to energy savings The door leaf, which are 40mm thick, help save money due to their insulation capability The installation of

new high- speed doors also eliminates the need to open and close the doors manually This not only means less heavy work for the depot staff, but it also saves them time, meaning that they can focus on handling the shipments

Another part of the successful offer was the turnkey implementation of the entire order In addition to the installation of the new high- speed doors, the old and worn- out doors were also dismantled and disposed of The order also encompassed the construction of openings, the delivery and assembly of steel structures, the installation of constructions and the laying of power cables

Company information EFALEX

EFAFLEX produces high- speed doors for industrial applications The company, which was founded in 1974, works for clients from industry, trade, food production, and the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, among others As the only manufacturer in the field of highspeed industrial doors, EFAFLEX is listed in the world market leader index and is therefore one of the top 461 companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland The family company employs more than 1,200 people worldwide With its headquarters in Bruckberg, Bavaria, EFAFLEX is firmly anchored as the largest employer in the region In addition, the company opens up international markets with 10 subsidiaries on five continents EFAFLEX generates over 40% of sales abroad

EFAFLEX Press Contact : Ms Jasmin Jobst

Tel.: +49 8765 82-525

E-mail: Jasmin.Jobst@efaflex.com Web: www.efaflex.com

KISSABEL®, EUROPEAN CROP INCREASES BY 40% FIRST SALES SEASON IN THE UNITED STATES

Kissabel® apples return to the markets from mid September with the Northern Hemisphere crop European production of the innovative range with coloured flesh in shades from pink to intense red will rise by 40%, with a crop of 3,500 tonnes

To coincide with the new season, the Kissabel® partners are preparing to exhibit at Fruit Attraction 2023, where the brand will have its first individual stand and will present the new juices made from the Red Inside apples

Crop Harvesting of the pink-flesh Kissabel® Jaune and Orange varieties was begun by the British partner WorldwideFruit Mesfruits and Blue Whale in France and Fenaco in Switzerland In the United Kingdom, where the Rouge apples with red skin and flesh will also be harvested in October the season will be extended further running until March

Rouge apples will also be harvested in Germany by the Red Apple Germany Consortium in Italy by Melinda Rivoira and VIP, and in the United States by Stemilt Growers The United States is currently the

focus of attention within the project, as 2023 will see the start of the country ’ s first real sales season Quantities are also forecast to rise in Europe where crop quality is expected to be good

Fruit Attraction The expansion in crop size is accompanied by a stronger presence at Fruit Attraction the international fruit and vegetable show to be held from 3 to 5 October in Madrid (Hall 8, stand E13A) The stand will be larger and more attractive with special interactive sessions for visitors As well as the new-season Kissabel® apples, there will also be samplings of the juices

produced by a number of project partners

Kissabel® apple juices Fruit juices made entirely or partly from Kissabel® apples are already available in Italy Germany and France Each authorised partner offers the market a different blend of coloured-flesh and traditional varieties, to provide a diversified product tailored to the various countries’ tastes The project will enable use of fruit not suitable for sale as table apples and thus help to reduce food waste

Kissabel® is growing thanks to the partners’ planning and their commitment to producing the best possible apples,” comments Emmanuel de Lapparent Manager of the IFORED programme

“Kissabel® is an extremely innovative range and has succeeded in surprising consumers with its appearance and flavour The juice we are presenting in Madrid this year will enable us to grow the red-flesh apple segment and the Kissabel® brand further, with new opportunities for consumption even when the apples themselves are not available ”

AQUA PURA ENCOURAGES FAMILIES OUTDOORS THIS SUMMER WITH A NEW ON-PACK PROMOTION

Aqua Pura, the Natural Mineral Water brand from the rolling hills of Cumbria, has launched a new on-pack promotion as part of its rebrand The promotion has been designed to encourage families to spend more time together outdoors and go on adventures come rain or shine

Shoppers can enter the competition by scanning the on-pack QR code which will direct consumers to the brand’s ‘spin to win’ page Consumers will be asked to submit their details which will enter them into a prize draw to win a range of hero prizes, including one of 13 adventure breaks courtesy of Aqua Pura’s adventure partner

PGL UK

As well as bigger ticket prizes, people will also be in with a chance of winning a range of instant-win prizes These include family days out to Go Ape as well as push bikes pizza ovens and outdoor wear

The promotion is being supported by a wider marketing campaign that focuses on family adventure This is being rolled out across the brand s social media channels as well as through collaborations with influencers, YouTube ads and eye-catching digital out of home advertising

Terri Cooper Marketing Manager at Aqua Pura, commented: “At Aqua Pura, we ’ ve been

going through an exciting period of change where we ’ ve begun to reposition the brand to take families on an adventure Our research has found that individuals with children in their households are twice as likely to buy bottled water in bulk than households without children For this reason, our 2023 marketing campaign which has received a £1m investment, has centred around family adventure and encouraging consumers nationwide to enjoy the great outdoors

For further information and to keep up to date with new product launches, visit www.aqua-pura.com. To be in with a chance of winning one of the many prizes on offer as part of the promotion, visit https://win.aqua-pura.com/.

‘ITALIAN TASTE – LA VERDE VITA’ LIVE IN MANCHESTER

Proudly presented by ITA-Italian Trade Agency and the Italian Chamber of Commerce Italian Taste – La Verde Vita in Manchester is the latest trade event celebrating the Italian agrifood sector, showcasing Italian Products as examples of the value and quality of Italian agribusiness and their contribution to – and relationship with – sustainability Live from The Lowry Hotel (October 16, 2023 ,11am-7pm), it will be open to all food&wine and hospitality business operators wishing to discover the latest sector trends and Italian PDO/PGI products

Twelve Italian importing businesses will be showcasing quality Italian produce during the B2B event Chefs Maurizio Bocchi and Maurizio Cecco will demonstrate the creation of Italian recipes in dedicated cooking shows (12 noon 1 30pm 3pm and 5pm) ending with a tasting

Italian Trade Agency

As a government agency ITA s mission is to support and promote international trade for, and business development of, Italian companies It assists advises and trains Italian SMEs, asserting the excellence of Made in Italy in the world through its widespread network of overseas offices, modern multi-channel promotion and communication tools

The London office oversees operations across the UK and Ireland, organising

numerous promotional initiatives for italian enterprises such as World Pasta Day, Real Italian Food and Wine’ exhibition, International

Food and Drink Event, ‘Natural & Organic Products Europe’ fair, Imbibe, ‘Speciality & Fine Food Fair and the Workshop on Italian Agribusiness (Claridge’s Hotel, London, April 28, 2023)

Giovanni Sacchi, Director of ITA

London:

“ITA is delighted to head to Manchester with the latest instalment of La Verde Vita campaign showcasing the importance that sustainability and tradition play in Italian cuisine Currently, Italy is the second biggest exporter of organic products in the world: Made in Italy organic products have registered an export value of 2 9bn, with an increase of 159% over a decade-long period ”

For more information, and to register your interest in participating, please complete the Google form at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/ e/1FAIpQLScq7PG1OMyvkddVAHu RTstVtSVphoFL5TLHpGzoYAHD70po A/viewform?usp=sf link or contact the reservations team at foodwine.london@ice.it

FLANDERS ANNOUNCES MORE ACTION TO SUPPORT UK COMPANIES TO ACCESS THE EU

Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) has launched Startup Flanders, a platform that provides targeted services for investors in the region It positions Flanders (the northern region of Belgium) as an innovative hub for international start-ups The announcement coincides with the results of a poll, published today, that found that 95% of UK business decision-makers surveyed using FIT (trade and promotion agency for Flanders) report that they already find support services in Flanders ‘helpful’, with more than half (52%) finding them very helpful

Startup Flanders is Flanders’ central

platform for information about service packages, research and data (a ‘one-stop shop’) It guides users to numerous programmes, initiatives, events, tools and subsidies for Flanders-based and international start-ups The team and community can:

Set you up with the right people and ecosystem players to speed up your ambitions Advise you how to take your next step and scale your start-up internationally Provide services and partners that help spur your growth, technological skill and success in Flanders and around the globe Research carried out among more than a

thousand business decision makers in the UK

The announcement of Startup Flanders closely follows on from the launch of Gateway2Britain last month, an innovative open logistics platform that will bring visibility and transparency for trading with Flanders into one place Gateway2Britain aims to make trade between Flanders and Britain as frictionless as possible

Print on to donuts and large confections with the Eddie Platform Kit

Eddie is an edible ink desktop printer for printing fullcolour photos, logos, designs and text directly on to the surface of baked goods and confectionery And now it is capable of printing on even taller items including doughnuts jumbo marshmallows bars bagels and mini cakes up to 60mm tall and up to 120mm wide using its new Platform Kit accessory

Using the included carousel Eddie prints a dozen 89mm cookies or other similar-sized items in just two minutes and therefore making the process of printing on to cookies, candy, white chocolate, biscuits, macarons fast and easy The carousel rotates the cookies to the print position then the printer pulls in sweets one at a time, prints and sends them back to the carousel – all automatically and hands-free To print on taller confections such as doughnuts the carousel is removed and instead the Platform Kit accessory is installed Each food item is then manually fed on to the platform

Due to direct printing there is no strange film or aftertaste, which would decrease the quality of the food The edible ink meets all EU and FDA standards for use as a food additive, while the ink cartridge itself meets cGMP standards and the entire manufacturing and cartridge-filling processes are FDA-compliant and cGMP certified In addition, the direct-to-food printer just received its Kosher Pareve certification, which means that not just the ink is kosher but also ensuring that the entire product and production processes meet the strict standards set forth by a certified kosher organisation The edible ink is also Halal certified and suitable for vegans

Eddie turns treats into highlights and opens up new profits by offering branded and bespoke products The printer was designed for professional and semiprofessional users and keen hobbyists who want to take their creativity to the next stage Helping to increase production and profit margins, offering greater customisation and personalisation

The founders of The March Hare Bakery Vincent and Callie, are such professionals They recently bought Eddie as a direct ink-to-food printer is something that the pair had always wanted With business booming, Vincent and Callie knew this was the perfect opportunity to open some more doors by offering

personalised and branded macarons that they could sell to the corporate, wedding and gifting market

The duo purchased Eddie due to the fantastic print quality speed inks lasting a long time and the fact you can print on so many different food items such as cookies, chocolates, tic-tacs and so much more Vincent and Callie have only had their printer for around six months and have already made a return on investment They ve got several cool projects in the pipeline that wouldn’t have been possible without Eddie

Edible Ink Printer

More information about Eddie is available at https://dtm-print.eu

Eddie Edible Ink Printer prints graphics and text on to confectioner y, baked goods, sweets and now taller food items of up to 60mm.

ATS PACKAGING TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT PPMA SHOW 2023

ATS Packaging will have a major presence at this year ’ s PPMA Show with two stands that showcase the company ’ s wide range of packaging machinery for a variety of end markets including personal care, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, medical, homecare and automotive

The stands will focus in particular on ATS s ability to provide turnkey filling line solutions, including bottle unscramblers, liquid filling machines, lidding/capping machines and end of line automated packing systems

A major highlight will be the company ’ s ‘turnkey and complete’ end of line Spray Trigger Capping System that offers a complete spray trigger feeding capping robotic cartoning/packing/sealing and palletising solution The advanced system provides radial control and alignment of spray trigger devices relative to container orientation to ensure fast and accurate placement via an automatic trigger feeding system

The Spray Trigger Capping System is the latest addition to ATS s range of advanced

capping machines, which will also be on display at the show All incorporate highprecision tightening technology featuring fully programmable torque, speed, applied force and vertical positioning of the capping head to provide a guaranteed tightening operation with factory networked closure result storage (CSR)

In addition, ATS will demonstrate its FBL range of jar-lidding and filling machines for the food and drink sector which ensure the fast and efficient automatic filling and tightening of glass jars and metal twist-off (TO) and press-on twist-off (PT) closures with or without a vacuum seal They are suitable

for a wide variety of products including mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, cooking sauces, pickled vegetables, jams and honey All ATSdesigned solutions also offer fast changeovers between different formats thanks to the adoption of SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die) principles that allow change-parts to be changed over quickly in under 10 minutes with minimal fuss and instant return to maximum production efficiency

Other ATS packing line solutions on display include a range of GMS versatile bottle unscramblers that allow multiple container formats to be carefully sorted and orientated in a single machine system and the SK Pharma range of high-performance and durable mixing vessels

The PPMA Show will also provide the first opportunity for ATS to demonstrate the latest automated pallet wrapping machines from the newly established Matco International UK

The dual stand format at stands H42 and J40 incorporates a specially created social area for visitors offering snacks and a bar

FINSBURY LAUNCHES MOUTHWATERING NPD FOR AUTUMN 2023

The UK s leading specialist baker Finsbury Food Group, continues its track record for trend-led and innovative NPD with this autumn’s cake and sweet treat launches from its extensive licensed brand portfolio

For the first time ever a new multi-brand sharing pack of ‘Mars and Friends’ cupcakes will feature the nation’s favourite chocolate lines Mars Galaxy Caramel and Maltesers together The selection includes three Mars chocolate cupcakes with chocolate nougat frosting; three Maltesers chocolate cupcakes with malt frosting and Maltesers; and three Galaxy chocolate cupcakes with caramel frosting and Galaxy counters Available from 23 September in ASDA RRP £7 50

Daryl Newlands Head of Brands and Marketing at Finsbury Food Group, said: “ We are excited to announce a wide range of NPD for autumn We continue to innovate in line with consumer demands for exciting

indulgent treats at accessible price points Our team has worked closely with our brand partners to create products that align with their master brand equity, whilst also creating unique offerings that really stand out on the cake fixture ”

Further launches include celebration cakes from Skittles and Disney, traybakes from TGI Fridays brownies from Galaxy and seasonal shortcake bites from Thornton s

COMBAT PARTS AND SPARES LEAD TIMES WITH OBSO

A recent survey by RSM UK found that a third of middle-market businesses have down-tooled on selected product lines, while a fifth had exited entire lines of business altogether Companies reported that recent output had been scaled back due to declining intakes of new work and disruption caused by stretched supply chains and material shortages

Obso Global (Obso) a leading supplier of both active and obsolete industrial automation parts, offers a dedicated service to help manufacturers from across the UK and world-wide beat lead times

It’s no secret that the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic kickstarted manufacturing and supply chain issues back in 2020 causing a huge impact across the electronics and automation supply chain in particular A problem which was escalated for UK manufacturers by the impact of Brexit and then the current logistical and economic difficulties caused by the war in Ukraine

Long lead times prove to be a huge challenge for businesses attempting to source genuine parts for equipment and machinery, which is why Obso provides a range of benefits that often ensure accurate reliable and faster lead times

Partnering with Obso can ensure access to expert advice and a wide range of new, active and obsolete industrial automation spares thanks to its connections with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and a global maintenance, repair and

operations (MRO) supply chain

With over 800 parts stocked at Obso s own UK and Netherlands depots, many parts can be shipped out next-day or even sameday with the supplier s dedicated couriers

Longer lead times affect upgrades, which in turn makes obsolete spares even harder to get hold of Obso offers a

UVO3

UVO3 are specialists in UV water disinfection By using the latest UV technology, coupled with filtration and other generally non-chemical water treatment methods, they are able to address many of today ’ s water disinfection problems

UVO3 are UV disinfection specialists for liquids surfaces and air They are also a major stockholder and supplier of UV units, replacement lamps, quartz sleeves and other UV consumables

Based near Cambridge UVO3 are UV

disinfection specialists Providing a complete range of UV disinfection solutions for water, air and surface applications They have a comprehensive range of UV equipment from the small domestic Atlas UV units through to the larger commercial systems from Van Remmen Industry sectors include, drinking water waste water process water and agricultural and aquaculture sectors For the agricultural range, these units are generally supplied with a fully automatic wiper system allowing UVO3 to treat turbid water supplies

repairs/reconditioning

programme part replacement and service-exchanged parts to support maintenance operations Repairing wherever possible by partnering with a supplier like Obso can get stock back into the market, and therefore back to manufacturers sooner

Andrea Ducker, Sales and Operations Director at Obso Global, comments: We know that our stockists have spares ready and waiting to go out, meaning we can actually get inventory to our customers faster than even the OEM can

“Most of the items we secure can be shipped worldwide for free and while we tend to quote for 7-10 days lead time as standard, the majority of the time we can expedite our shipment so we re providing better lead times than what we actually quoted for ”

For further information on how Obso can assist with your lead time management, call 0800 368 8817 to speak with an experienced Obso advisor, or simply visit https://obsoglobal com/uk To download a free copy of Obso s five-point plan for managing lead times, please visit https://obsoglobal com/uk/sourcingautomation-parts-made-easy

such as rivers and reservoirs

Working with companies such as Wroot Water, they can offer a complete mobile or static solution to treat the water to remove any harmful microorganisms which may lead to widespread crop damage Further details can be found on their website www uvo3 co uk or talk to one of their experts on 01480 3554 46

Meet the kebab king!

At the time, the company was turning over just under £4 9m a year By 2021 Amird had not only delivered on his promise to double the turnover he’d absolutely smashed it and had almost trebled it Amird has made Kismet thrice winners of the British Kebab Awards and the latest TURKA

Kismet is an accredited, Trading Standards-approved company with a purpose-built factory on a six-acre site, where they produce all their kebabs fresh from which they serve the UK Europe Asia South Asia North Africa and the Middle East

Quality is their watchword, being HACCP accredited and with a fleet of refrigerated vehicles transporting their products to customers their mission is to provide quality kebabs at a reasonable price Amird has established corporate customers like wholesalers JJ Foodservices and supermarket retailers Iceland where he has implemented like for like precook kebabs

But now, Amird is considering stepping down from his role as CEO in 2024, depending on the settlement package the owners promised moreover having considered his job done and about to hand over the reins to the next generation, the children of the owners who he had fully mentored in the company that was founded in 2008 by two Cypriots one from the Greek side and one from the Turkish half

His journey has been an amazing one Amird is a qualified chartered chemical engineer, working for Procter and Gamble for 10 years in various leadership roles before moving to AB Foods as their Regional Technical Manager As his reputation in the food sector began to grow, Amird was head-hunted by Tate & Lyle Sugars (ASR Group) and rose through the ranks of that

company too But his work was taking him away from his family a lot and he was beginning to think it was time for another change

Enter Kismet Kebabs Ltd However, their initial contact did not go that well Amird says: “I got a phone call from this company saying they wanted to talk to me about a senior position I thought it was my colleagues winding me up I’d never heard of Kismet Kebabs I thought it sounded like some takeaway somewhere So, I put the phone down on them

Fortunately, Kismet Kebabs called back And Amird realised they were a much bigger deal than he’d initially thought They wanted him, but there was a wrinkle, they couldn t match his salary But they tried to sell the job to him with the fact that it was just a 20-minute drive from his home At the interview they struck a deal Amird said he would double their turnover in five years They said that if he did they d double his salary They shook on it though his family was horrified he was taking such a big pay cut

However, Amird was playing the long game He said: “It was a challenge but I relished it I made a lot of changes and when I joined the company they were doing 50 tonnes a week in volume I upped that to 200 tonnes Nobody expected me to do what I’d promised, but I did And the company kept their promise too and doubled my salary ”

Amird is one of the founders of the Kebab Alliance and will continue to support them after he leaves Kismet He says: Now the name Kismet is well known in the UK we ’ re the biggest kebab company in the country I’d say that’s job done!”

www.kismetkebabs.co.uk

When Amird Devadasan joined Kismet Kebabs in Latchington, Essex, in 2016 he made his new bosses a simple promise: within five years, he said, he’d double their turnover.

Saving the food and beverage sector ’s energy crisis… once and for all

“Food and drink is not a luxury It’s a necessity ”

The words of UrbanChain co-founder Dr Mo Hajhashem

Manchester-headquartered UrbanChain, the leading provider of peer-to-peer energy exchange services in the UK was founded in 2017 and is disrupting the energy market

Put simply, those who join UrbanChain’s deeptech platform, buy and sell 100% local, traceable energy amongst themselves

Private companies from multiple sectors generators of renewable energy, local authorities, social housing associations, manufacturers, energy suppliers and households are all part of the company s established renewable energy trading market

So are businesses, organisations and associations that operate in the food and beverage space

The potential for peer-to-peer energy exchange in the food and drink industry, says Dr Hajhashem, is massive”

He adds: “In fact, because of the complexity of its supply chain and sheer size this industry can benefit more than any other

Unprecedented rises in energy prices are affecting food and beverage businesses dramatically

Throw wages – if you can hire people from a labour pool shortage – and raw materials in and you can see why so many are struggling to keep pace

Unfortunately, there’s little sign of a brighter future when it comes to trimming costs in a bid to become more operationally efficient

“ The food and drink industry is a very unique industry,” says Dr Hajhashem, “there are the farms, the manufacturers the retail the cafes restaurants bars hotels etc It’s the farm to fork scenario and it is complex and highly fragmented

“It doesn’t take much to figure that there is a high element of energy usage which combined together results in rocketing prices

“If prices are going up, more people cannot afford it and it results in the present situation where too many

industry participants are losing on a daily basis

The question then is how can a win-win scenario for all participants be created within an industry facing an uphill battle?

Dr Hajhashem s answer is simple: UrbanChain, peerto-peer energy exchange ”

The company he co-founded with Dr Somayeh Taheri and Dr Ayesha Naureen six years ago is growing at pace

Based in Manchester Science Park, just outside the city centre, UrbanChain has received £7 35m in funding to date including from global investment giant Eurazeo, Innovate UK and various government bodies including the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

The company which continues to disrupt a highly regulated market, also has ambitions for an IPO within the next three years

“ We have many serious conversations with those in the food and drink industry says Dr Hajhashem

“For example, we work with a major meat producer and processor that sources from over 6,000 farms Around 80% of those farms have renewable energy

The industr y has tried many different things in a bid to drive for ward better energy efficiency. But, according to UrbanChain co-founder Mo Hajhashem, changes introduced have been ornamental rather than fundamental.

assets in place

“ The meat producer and the farms are all now part of our peer-to-peer exchange – buying and selling 100% green energy among themselves ”

Alluding to what peer-to-peer participants gain he says: “ They have long-term price stability whether they buy or sell or do both, as we decouple the energy assets from the wholesale market

Further value is that they are getting 100% green energy at cheaper prices while decarbonising the supply chain at no extra cost ”

Dr Hajhashem says the possibilities for anyone operating in food and drink are endless

“Businesses, associations, hotels, for example, can come together and have a group buying scheme for their energy We aggregate their demand and supply and get their 100% green energy at a much cheaper price

“ We create many different business models for those who join Take a manufacturer who gets power from their vendor and farm directly In this example

UrbanChain aggregates all the power and sells it appropriately in what has become a local energy market that is built on and operates with total trust

The deeptech driving UrbanChain s peer-to-peer energy exchange is AI and Blockchain

It profiles consumption behaviours and production patterns and secures the best match between green energy consumers and generators of renewable energy on a half-hourly basis

Once onboarded into the P2P exchange consumers

buy 100% local green energy and save up to 50% on energy bills

The result for generators of renewable energy is at least 25% better margins and more money earned in the medium to long term; and they have no need to sell to intermediaries and intermediaries don’t then sell to the wholesale market

“ The food and drink industry has tried many different things in a bid to drive forward better energy efficiency,” says Dr Hajhashem “But they are ornamental changes rather than fundamental changes

“ Take the cash and carry concepts that sell to multiple corner shops The corner shops have been hit like many, with huge energy bills rises Annually they are paying £40k-£50k for energy

One of the schemes we introduced to businesses in the industry is co-light; as in I keep the light on in your business and you keep the light on in mine’

“It results in the cash and carry not just selling food and drink stock to corner shops they also sell power to them at a price that is beneficial Theres a competitive edge and trust all round ”

He adds: “Associations in the industry can also do the same And it doesn t matter whether or not you have renewable assets You can come in and join as a consumer of 100% green energy, a generator/seller or both

If you have excess energy or a deficit we can manage it We cover the baseload and peak load

“ We have often said amongst us at UrbanChain that the future of energy is here The thing is, it really is ”

The heat is on for sustainability

— and cutting costs

With energy costs still high, despite fuel price caps coming down, many businesses are finding that expenditure has spiralled in the past year

Not only that, but the accent is increasingly on sustainability, cutting energy consumption not just for cost reasons but to help the environment

Here we look at two businesses that have harnessed the heat their processes use to feed back into the workings of their plants

Firstly Wensleydale Creamery in Yorkshire has been saving itself £4 500 a year thanks to the installation of a heat recovery system

The award-winning Hawes cheesemaker and tourist attraction is saving 60 000kWh per annum by harnessing waste heat from its refrigeration plant to provide free hot water for the visitors’ centre

The savings also equate to an annual reduction of 16 tonnes of carbon but do not take into account the carbon savings associated with the reduced number of oil delivery vehicles visiting Hawes

DK Heat Recovery ’ s Engineering Manager, David Haughton said: The project was supported by a grant from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and the Yorkshire Dales National Parks Authority to help with the capital cost and provide an educational environment for children to learn about energy conservation and sustainability

“ With no moving parts, the DK Heat Recovery system is simple and maintenance-free It is also highly efficient due to the innovative design of the heat exchangers that can remove up to 100% of the energy produced by the site’s refrigeration plant ”

Based in Beverley, East Yorkshire with a satellite office in Peterborough DK Heat Recovery is the sole UK agent of DK Kaelteanlagen GmbH s heat recovery systems and is supported by a network of installers and refrigeration engineers nationwide

It was established in 2012 by Nigel Upson and David Haughton, and has installed heat recovery systems for food manufacturers, supermarkets, farm shops, butchers and garden centres over the last decade

From cheese to juice

Orange juice remains one of the most popular soft drinks around the world, but challenging weather

conditions in 2021, 2022 and 2023 in the world’s major production regions of Brazil and Florida mean that the supply chain faces record raw material costs As a result, producers will need to focus more than ever on production efficiencies in order to maximise margins

Matt Hale, International Sales & Marketing Director, HRS Heat Exchangers says that the key is using heat more efficiently

He says: “Faced with unavoidable rises in input costs, not all of which can be passed on to customers or consumers manufacturers must make every effort to maximise the efficiency of processes such as remelting and pasteurisation At the same time, they need to maintain the key quality characteristics of the juice, even though chemical changes begin as soon as the juice is squeezed HRS Heat Exchangers produce a range of highly energy efficient equipment for orange juice processing ”

Like never before, food producers are having to think about the efficiency of their processes.

The key to this is flash pasteurisation heating up the orange juice to its required temperature much faster, typically by up to 30%

He says: “HRS’s pasteurisation systems use water at a lower temperature to reduce the risk of product damage Another benefit of higher heat transfer rates is that the system footprint can be reduced by using shorter heat exchanger pipes The shorter length of the heat exchanger also results in a reduction in pressure drop, which saves pumping power and further reduces energy costs – often by 40% ”

The HRS ohmic system works by passing electricity between two electrodes in the product in a 1m ceramic

tube so the electricity has to pass through the product The result is that the juice is heated up to 105°C within one second It is then held at this temperature for four seconds before being cooled Ohmic technology itself is not new but the HRS system uses the latest electronics to ensure that the temperature curve is very smooth, which not only helps to preserve product quality but also improves process efficiency

The future of food production seems to rest on everyone finding more ways to use less energy, or direct waste energy back into the production process, both to save money and save the planet

G etting to the Wroot of growers’ water needs

Over the last 20 years the company has retrofitted hundreds of irrigation systems which can save between 20-25% of the energy growers use

At a time when everyone is focused on sustainability and saving not only energy but money this can prove a lifesaver for the agricultural industry

Wroot has developed its own filtration systems which can stop growers wasting water meaning they are getting more from their crops for the same water use or using less water to maintain their current yields

Filtration is an essential part of micro and drip irrigation systems and blockages in tape sprinklers valves and pumps are unlikely if not eradicated through filtration Many different types of filters are available and various factors should be considered during the selection process:

The three main filters Wroot supply are sand filters, disc filters and screen filters They have worked alongside their main suppliers many years giving them great knowledge of their products as well as the ability to easily rectify any problems

Wroot has a number of irrigation solutions to tackle any type of land or environment

Their drip irrigation systems are designed to offer a bespoke solution to growers, whether they are farming 10 or 100 hectares Wroot uses high tech to meet their customers’ needs, using GPS mapping to accurately plan proposed systems

Drip irrigation is suitable for all soil types and particularly useful in areas where water is limited The tape is buried to a depth of 1½ to 2 inches and can be done alongside planting or soon after as a separate process

Drip tape systems are currently in use in a wide variety of agricultural and horticultural crops including in potatoes carrots leeks parsnips onions celery asparagus, courgettes, strawberries and raspberries

Wroot are also able to manufacture and supply all of the necessary equipment to install and remove the tape

Another type of solution is sprinkler systems Wroot Water have been using the Coverline Sprinkler System for

Based in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Wroot Water is a specialist water company specialising in irrigation systems for agricultural use their mission to help food producers become more efficient and sustainable.

many years working alongside their suppliers to provide their customers with a quality service The versatility of the Coverline System allows systems to start small-scale and be expanded as each budget allows

Wroot looks far afield for its solutions the K-Line system, for example, is imported from New Zealand

It is an effective way of distributing clean and dirty water, and has proven particularly successful with the distribution of parlour washings Wroot is proud to be the only company in the country to import K-Line

K-Line is a revolutionary, flexible hose line sprinkler irrigation system designed to reduce the time and money spent on irrigation The system consists of one 100m length of 40mm pipe with eight or nine K-Line pods The sprinklers are firmly attached to low density pipe and are protected by the pods Each line is easy to manoeuvre and reposition by quad bike or other farm vehicle One line of pods alone is enough to set the system up and it can be expanded as each budget allows Initial set up costs are therefore able to be very low

Wroot definitely thinks out of the box and utilises the surrounding environment to maximise efficiency One way of doing this is through rainwater harvesting systems Rainwater harvesting involves the collection and recycling of rainwater that falls on to building roofs or concrete areas A RWH system can be installed on a newbuild or existing buildings and will usually involve the collection diversion and storage of the water in a tank or reservoir The pump size and filtration level varies depending on the end use of the water RWH reduces the dependence on mains supply, rivers and groundwater sources

To meet growers ’ needs in a fast-changing world, Wroot also provides bio bed and bio filter systems

A bio-bed is a mixture of peat-free compost, soil and straw (bio-mix) covered with turf that is placed in a lined pit Wroot’s bio-bed kits meet all regulations as they have worked alongside a consultant working for the environment agency setting standards for and designing bio-beds

A bio-filter uses the same bio-mix as a bio-bed but it doesn’t require turf, and it uses a series of bulk containers rather than a pit A bio-filter is usually smaller than a biobed and would generally be built above ground A biofilter comprises of a number of bulk containers that form the equivalent to a liner in a bio-bed system This set-up encourages a drainage system A bio-filter can be more suited to smaller operations or where limited liquid production is calculated

www.wrootwater.com

international meat business

Part of the AF Blakemore Group, the company is a UKbased wholesaler and distributor of fresh and frozen raw meat It is headquartered at Hilton Cross Business Park Cannock Road, Featherstone, Wolverhampton South Staffordshire, with a Welsh trading office at Talbot Green and a southern trading office in Bristol

A F Blakemore & Son Ltd is one of the largest and most forward-thinking family-owned businesses in the UK The company began life in 1917 as a counter service grocery store and has grown from these humble beginnings into a company that now employs around 7,000 people with a turnover of circa £1 2bn

Andrew Wensley of Blakemore Fresh Foods says:

That s one of our key strengths we are owned by the Blakemore group that despite its size is still a family business at its core ”

As a major importer of quality meats and a champion of UK-sourced product Blakemore Fresh Foods provides a one-stop shop for meat traders, wholesalers, retailers, manufacturers and butchers across the UK and Europe

They provide quality imported and British meat with full traceability which includes beef lamb pork bacon poultry and game, as well as a growing range of Halal products

The company has a highly specialised team of butchers based at their cutting plant and storage facility in

South Staffordshire allowing them the flexibility to provide cuts or specifications to meet any customer requirement

Andrew says: “We trade internationally and we are very strong in the lamb market but that s just a part of our story we do beef, pork and poultry, and can supply all that with our own fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles

Our core customers are retail butchers wholesalers caterers and we also work with manufacturers because we have the ability to process, portion control and retail pack”

We know you need a credible stable wholesale partner who can supply you with what you need, when you need it, at the right price

“That’s why our passionate sales team pride themselves on service We promise to look after your fresh and frozen

An

with the values of a family firm

Quality, honest and reliability

— those are the watchwords of Blakemore Fresh Foods.

raw meat needs provide expert advice and source cut and pre-portion to your specific requirements

“Most importantly, we promise to deliver Because at Blakemore Fresh Foods, our experience means you ’ re in safe hands

Andrew says: “Part of what makes us stand out is that we ’ ve got our own vehicles, our own processing capabilities, and that we ’ re part of a bigger company that allows us to stand out as well

“That, plus we have a huge level of expertise within our sales team We’ve got about 12 people in our business who have all got excellent product knowledge and background and they give our customers an individual service, along with advice on new products, pricing etc

“We make sure we offer the widest range of products that people want and tailor our service to what they need for their business

Blakemore Fresh Foods is an internationally recognised meat trader and wholesaler, and has established trusted and longstanding partnerships with quality meat suppliers across the globe

They are specialist direct importers of Australian and New Zealand product that includes chilled and frozen grass fed lamb beef and mutton As part of this they are taking advantage of the newly signed FTA with Australia and have started to import high-quality Australian beef

Blakemore also procures products from specially selected suppliers from across Europe and are continually looking to add valuable suppliers to their growing portfolio

Andrew adds: “The Blakemore Fresh Foods team combines years of experience in the meat industry From our sales support team through to our trading managers, there’s always someone who can offer advice and find you the perfect solution for your business ”

Back on the home front their access to the Blakemore Logistics Network adds further reach to their own vehicles and allows Blakemore Fresh Foods to quickly and efficiently cover the entire UK from their three key locations in the country

There is a team of over 80 people working at Blakemore Fresh Foods Andrew says: We ve got quite a solid stable team here and we have a lot of people who’ve stayed with the company for a long time we recently had someone celebrate 35 years with us as well as bringing in a lot of new talent

The absolute bedrock of our business is our staff and we make sure we look after them that’s the ethos that comes from being part of a family business ”

The wider AF Blakemore company also likes to look after people outside the business as well last Christmas the Blakemore Foundation, the company ’ s charitable trust, awarded donations worth around £65,000 to more than 1 300 Christmas activities and events in communities over the festive period

The donations were given in the form of food and drink from the company ’ s SPAR stores and also monetary grants

Via the Foundation, colleagues from across the business donated to Christmas lunches, tombolas, raffles, parties, school events and appeals for food banks and homeless shelters

Part of the donations included a large annual grant given to homeless support charity Crisis at Christmas

The company is especially keen to promote diversity and equality in its varied workforces That led to earlier this year, the company holding the Women in Blakemore Awards for the first time, the winners of which were announced in a very novel way a storybook telling the inspiring stories of their female workers

The awards, created to champion and recognise diversity and inclusivity in the business, called for nominations across six categories Two of the categories requested entries from any gender recognising the importance of men and women working together to initiate change

Over 7,000 employees were asked to vote for who they thought was worthy of one of the six awards ranging from Outstanding Female Influencer, Outstanding Diversity and Inclusiveness, Female Dream Builder, Lifetime Achievement, Outstanding Resilience and

Outstanding Male SupportHER

Group Marketing Director, Sarah Ellis, said “We were delighted to see so many people nominating their colleagues and we were even happier to see the level of detail people have gone to in their nominations The comments received were caring, kind, considered and underpinned our values as a business

We wanted people to understand the value of how others viewed them The idea to launch a storybook came about when we were reading the entries, we felt other people could learn from them too

“For us to move forward as a business, we need to find ways to positively influence The Women in Blakemore Awards has taken people on a journey, to showcase best practice and to demonstrate the impact that positive behaviour can have on people s lives

And last year one of Blakemore Fresh Foods meat traders, Bal Mehmi, was crowned a winner at the national Women in Meat Industry Awards

The Women in Meat Industry Awards are organised by Meat Management magazine and recognise the contribution and talent of women across all sectors of the business They are driven by both reader nominations and votes Bal picked up a Meat Businesswoman Award in the Wholesaling category beating three other finalists from across the country

She said: I feel elated that I have won this award It feels good to get some recognition after being in the meat industry for so long, especially being a woman as men have always been at the forefront

I started work at Blakemore at the age of 16 and have taken on many roles since Not initially knowing anything about the meat trade, I have enjoyed learning and growing my knowledge with the help of my colleagues ”

www.afblakemore.com