Food & Drink News September/October 2022

PUBLISHER

Planet Media & Design Ltd

Brooke’s Mill Huddersfield HD4 7NR

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Jillian Evans

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

Sarah Hoyer

CHIEF EDITOR

David Barnett

SUB EDITOR

Abigail Wears

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Editor ’s Foreword

We are by anyone s measure living through very interesting times at the moment

There have been challenges to the food and drink industry that could not have been predicted even three years ago

The Covid pandemic of course has been the biggest issue that any of us have ever faced And hot on the heels of that came the growing cost of living crisis with rising inflation, spiralling costs, and all the associated supply and production problems those brought with them

And, most recently, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II also entirely understandably caused the country to stop and reflect on this hugely historical event

While we all perhaps appreciate living through historical happenings, it s a fair bet that most of the food and drink industry would be quite happy with less turbulent times in the coming months

David Barnett CHIEF EDITOR

MAJOR RETAILER OPTS FOR PATOL PROTECTION

One of the UK s best known supermarket chains has chosen Patol Ltd and Securiton Aspirating Smoke Detection (ASD) to protect a significant investment in expanding the retailer s online offering

Fulfilment centres are designed to help revolutionise online operations as the retailer seeks to meet huge growth in internet based sales

With a post pandemic upturn in online grocery shopping, the supermarket has embarked on a programme to develop a number of facilities throughout the UK with dedicated automatic picking areas completely separate to the customer areas introduced in its larger stores

Protecting these facilities from the threat of fire is of paramount importance Alarmtec, a supplier of fire alarm systems for over 40

years approached Patol a company that has specialised in the design, manufacture and supply of fire safety products and services for more than 50 years

Jeff Hickling is Head of Installation at Alarmtec and comments: “ We recognised that ASD provided the ideal solution to meet the challenges of the project, with its ability to identify a potential fire at the earliest possible point Patol’s technology provided the performance we were looking for, backed by an excellent level of service

The fulfilment centres are designed to allow faster picking and quicker deliveries, adding to an extensive network of distribution facilities and in store picking

BRINGING TRANSPARENCY TO THE FOOD MACHINERY INDUSTRY

Scayl started when we discovered we had a problem with packing our bags for our sister company BRUU The Gourmet Tea Club As we didn’t have the space or the necessity for big machines costing thousands and requiring onsite engineers we decided to develop our own compact tabletop machines

Firstly, we discovered we served a purpose for SMEs in a similar position to ourselves As we grew, we discovered we could also help solve issues for established companies, by allowing them to easily launch new products or provide samples without having to decommission and change large machinery We’re proud that our machines helped pack for the Tesco Loop Project

The next step for Scayl is helping to bring end to end solutions to end users by working in partnership with other machinery manufacturers, to bring transparency to the industry through more informed decisions As we realised we can’t do everything ourselves, we thought we would bring on

partners with a similar ethos so that our customers can ‘Scayl’ their business from a trusted and reliable source through the Scayl

Marketplace having already worked with industry leaders like Simar International and Audion

EFAFLEX

"Manuf actur ing hygiene" f or idealists

Materialise GmbH uses EFAFLEX high speed doors to separate areas f or unmixed production in t he new me t al com pe t ence centre

Making t he wor ld a be tt er and healt hier place is par t of Materialise’s day to day business. For more than three decades, the company has been opening up new areas of application for the highly innovative potential of 3D printing.

N umerous sof tware solutions as well as design and pr inting ser vices reflect the creativity and scientif ic skills of Materialise’s em ployees They provide an open and f lexible platf or m f or markets with high quality standards, suc h as medical tec hnology, t he automotive industr y, aerospace, ar t and design, and consumer goods Com panies in t hese industr ies are creating breakt hrough 3D pr inting applications wit h Mat er ialise’s exper tise.

Prototypes and small series are created in a 1,700 square metre production area in the new metal competence centre in Bremen. Nine high speed doors from EFAFLEX separate the dif ferent areas from one another in order to guarantee unmixed production

"This tight containment of the individual production zones is very important to us," says Technical Manager Sascha Schmidt, describing an important unique selling point of Materialise GmbH: "We always use the same metal on a machine Mixing, no matter how minor, cannot be allowed in the products for our customers " He explains that Materialise works for large aerospace manufacturers, for the automotive industry as well as for end customers Pure materials are the prerequisite for this The nine EFA SRT® ECO high speed roll up doors from EFAFLEX are therefore an important part of the building equipment "The same applies for our suppliers as for our products. Quality always comes first," explains Sascha Schmidt "We also look at after sales service It ’ s going great with EFAFLEX "

"Ever yt hing is as usual: great."

Sascha Schmidt reports that he has seen many different doors during his professional career at various companies. Of course, there are budgets that have to be adhered to "But if you buy cheap, you buy twice "

He is convinced that the EFA SRT® ECO high speed roll up doors impress with excellent value for money Special structural preparations are not necessary due to the space saving design, for example the very slim side door cases As a result, the EFA SRT® ECO can be used in more situations than any other roll up door.

Elaborate guides on the sides of the door leaf prevent any undesired air exchange in the event of pressure differences and drafts The EFAFLEX roll up door ’ s standard door leaf is fully transparent and equipped with warning strips Coloured curtains are also available for EFAFLEX roll up doors The door frames were supplied in stainless steel for Materialise and therefore fit into the metal competence centre with state of the art equipment All of the doors are wide enough to comfortably allow transportation of large plants into the individual rooms

In the case of the EFA SST® Essential exterior door, which is used for the delivery of materials and machines, other properties are important in addition to speed, says the Technical Manager "For us, it is important that the doors are tight to guarantee the air pressure in the room We

also have climate controlled rooms at temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius " The air conditioning is combined with ventilation and the extraction of protective gases, such as argon and nitrogen "So it ’ s a complex issue," Sascha Schmidt emphasises "The EFAFLEX sales representative responsible for us knows what he is talking about and pointed out important facts to me He really catered to our very specific needs And there was nothing that was not taken into account during installation For me, everything was perfect, so it was business as usual "

Materialise GmbH company information

Elevated structures

Materialise is a dynamic high tech company with more than 2,000 employees worldwide The company ’ s head office is in Belgium The German branches are located in Gilching near Munich and in Bremen The subsidiary ACTech GmbH maintains a German branch office in Freiberg Materialise is a global leader in additive manufacturing and the development of software solutions for additive manufacturing (AM) With Europe’s largest machine park of its own 3D printers, Materialise primarily serves customers from the automotive industry, the aerospace sector and medical technology

More than 30 years of experience in this industry have gone into the company ’ s many software solutions and design and printing services: into products that make people’s lives better, into products that help to shape science and into structures that, among other things, literally take off and help to study the Earth from space

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 high speed 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 ten subsidiaries on five continents EFAFLEX generates over 40% of sales abroad

EFAFLEX Press Contact :

HOWLER HEAD – THE ORIGINAL AGED KENTUCKY SPIRIT WITH BANANA FLAVOUR – LAUNCHES INTO THE UK AS OFFICIAL PARTNER OF UFC

The UK is set to go bananas with Howler Head, an Aged Kentucky Spirit with Banana Flavouring which has expanded its footprint in the UK market this autumn Howler Head, a product from Catalyst Spirits, is an official partner of UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation and one of the fastest growing brands in the world The brand, which recently launched into the UK, has set its sights on rapid growth through grocery on trade and ecommerce and is now available from the majority of larger Tesco stores and online, as well as on Amazon and

Master of Malt, RRP £30

At 80 proof, Kentucky’s influence really takes the spotlight with a subtle sweet kick of banana on the finish It can be enjoyed as a shot, with a beer/hard seltzer or as a flavourful enhancement to any classic whiskey cocktail Campari Group also recently acquired a 15% stake in the business for $15m for global distribution rights, as well as the option of full ownership of the brand from 2025, depending on future sales performance

SUSTAINABILITY: VOG PRODUCTS AWARDED ECOVADIS SILVER

Sustainability is firmly embedded in the strategy of VOG Products The prestigious EcoVadis award the world s most reliable provider of sustainability ratings for global supply chains, has confirmed the company ’ s active effort in the entire production process, rewarding it with a silver medal a few weeks ago

“We are proud and happy to have received this honour, which is an important signal to our customers and consumers: we offer safe sustainable and high quality products, said Christoph Tappeiner, the CEO of VOG Products The silver status means that VOG Products is among the top 25% of all companies rated The EcoVadis rating looks at environmental aspects, as well as employment and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement

Two years ago, VOG Products passed the “GLOBAL G A P Farm Sustainability Assessment” with the FSA Gold label and since then has systematically taken next steps For example, it invested in the continuous development of its own photovoltaic system and now obtains 100% of its power from renewable energy We calculated our corporate carbon footprint and verify it every year By doing so, we can systematically implement measures to increase energy efficiency and further lower our CO2 emissions,” said CEO Tappeiner

From the field to processing: saving water at all levels

Water is a special focus of VOG Products: with the ‘Cooling water optimisation’ project, the company saved as much water in 2022 as 15 000 people consume in one year by using the same water twice as cooling water and as transport water

Water is not only saved on the company grounds in Laives but also along the VOG Products supply chain: in fact the Laimburg

Research Centre collaborated with the Alto Adige Consultancy Centre to develop Smart Land’, a system that uses high quality sensor technology to measure soil moisture in the field and connect it to current weather and temperature data The data are then transmitted via app in real time to farmers, who use it for the needs orientated watering of the fruit orchards With ‘Smart Land’, water savings of up to 50% can be achieved

BURGER & SAUCE CONFIRMS UNPRECEDENTED INTEREST IN NEW FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES

Burger & Sauce has confirmed unprecedented interest since it launched as a franchise at the start of July The fast food burger restaurant chain which was set up two years ago during the height of the pandemic, became so popular for its fresh, tasty burgers that it began inviting applications for potential franchisees last month

The first Burger & Sauce restaurant in Birmingham turned over £1 5m in its first year As soon as company founder Saad Masood realised the popularity of the fresh burger concept he’d created, launching as a franchise became the long term goal He explains: Since then our experienced franchise team led by Anthony Round has worked hard and taken time to put all the necessary elements in place to develop a compelling franchise opportunity from setting up new franchisee training, an operations manual, a site sourcing team to marketing We have recognised the opportunity and now invite other like minded people to leverage our brand’s success to create their own Burger & Sauce restaurant with our full backup and support

Every one of Burger & Sauce s existing franchisees has now signed multi store agreements Burger & Sauce aims to establish 300+ stores across the UK and to

become the household name for fresh burgers The franchise is already on target for double digit store openings by the end of 2022

Anthony Round, Franchise Director, Burger & Sauce, confirms: “ We know the brand is going to be big! Once the franchise concept was proven and all the operational details in place, we began to invite applications from more potential franchisees a few weeks ago Within days we had received 30 or so valid enquiries! Interest has been unprecedented!

“Currently, we are looking for ambitious individuals to grow our brand around two

hours’ drive from Birmingham We are also considering master franchisees who are interested in larger multi store development agreements slightly further afield too

Exclusive Burger & Sauce territories include a 10 year franchise licence for £15 000 plus store and fit out costs planning and legal fees plus management service fee and marketing contribution Multi site development licences are also available for approved franchisees

PARTNERSHIP BRINGS NEW COOKING OPPORTUNITIES TO UK & IRELAND

Interfood Technology is extending the offering from its Cooking Cooling & Pasteurisation Division with the announcement that the company has formed a new partnership with Swiss manufacturer Staedler Automation AG Interfood already has a well established reputation for supplying quality cooking equipment and support services to a number of major food processors in the UK and Ireland This announcement marks a further investment in this area, bringing on board the Marinox brand under which Staedler machines have been marketed since March 2020 The range includes

industrial cooking and cooling equipment with Interfood adding two continuous cookers and a drum cooker to its existing offering which covers batch cooking, smoking and roasting drying and fermenting, spiral cooking, linear cooking,

flame grilling and bar marking, frying and belt cooking

Steve Naylor is Interfood s Divisional Manager for Cooking, Cooling & Pasteurisation and comments “ While we already have an extensive range of machines, we are always looking at potential opportunities to allow us to cater for more processes required by our customers The fit with Staedler is a very good one combining their particular expertise in industrial cooking, cooling and conveyor technology with our own market knowledge, experience and service support

www.burgerandsauce.com /franchise/

WHITWORTHS’ NEW GASTRO NUT AND TROPICAL FRUIT FUSIONS RANGES AIM TO MAKE HEALTHIER SNACKING EVEN TASTIER

Whitworths is making healthier snacking even tastier with the launch of its Gastro Nuts and Fusions ranges Both ranges have been designed to attract a new, younger consumer to the healthier snacking category, and combine the brand’s expertise of sourcing and processing the best quality dried fruit and nut products, with the introduction of amazing natural flavours to boost their appeal

The Whitworths Gastro Nuts range is gastro inspired flavoured mixed nuts that are baked, not fried, to seal in flavour and minimise the introduction of unnecessary oils and salts to create a healthier proposition that really delivers on taste All packs are recyclable and resealable, and SKUs in the range include Sea Salt & Chardonnay Vinegar Mature Cheddar & Red Onion Chutney, Jalepeno & Lime and Smokey Maple Bacon Stockists are to be confirmed in late 2022/early 2023 (RRP: £2 30 per 120g pack)

Whitworth’s Fusions range is a mouth watering selection of tropical dried fruits infused with 100% natural complementary flavours The range has been designed for younger consumers seeking healthier snacks that don t compromise on taste All packs are recyclable and resealable, and SKUs in the range include Coconut Flavoured Pineapple Strawberry Flavoured Mango and Watermelon Flavoured Papaya all of which are available to purchase in Tesco stores from early September (RRP: £2 10 per 75 80g pack)

Whitworths Commercial Director, Phil Gowland comments: Our new Gastro and Fusions NPDs have been designed to not only deliver on the high taste expectations of consumers but also with health, economic and climate targets in mind We know that significant changes need to be made to the nation’s eating habits for the future of our planet and things like eating more fruit and vegetables consuming more fibre and alternative proteins are essential

“ We’re hoping that these new ranges will reach new consumers in new eating occasions to help everyone eat a little healthier every day ”

HARD ROCK READY-TO-DRINK COCKTAILS GOES INTERNATIONAL WITH

Hard Rock International is expanding the launch of Hard Rock Expert Cocktails across the pond in London, signifying the iconic brand s first ever international distribution of its ready to drink canned cocktails

“Hard Rock was born in London so it’s with great pride that we expand our ready to drink cocktails with the first international taste in our hometown, said Kimberly Manna, the Senior Vice President of Retail and Licensing for Hard Rock International We re excited to continue extending our brand and helping fans around the globe to enjoy at home We were inspired by the world’s most loved cocktails and expertly blended them so that our customers can

DEBUT

enjoy bartender like quality, no matter what the venue ”

Hard Rock Expert Cocktails: Piña Colada, Mojito and Passion Fruit Martini (5% ABV) are now available for purchase in the UK Expanded international distribution in 2022 includes launches in Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Switzerland Ireland Germany Poland Spain Portugal, France, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Australia

Hard Rock International launched Hard Rock Expert Cocktails in the US in 2021

EFAFLEX

Smar t doors f or secur ity and ef f iciency

For the Canton of Sc hwyz Road Traf f ic Depar tment, safety is not onl y t he top pr ior ity when t esting vehicles The operational business, suc h as at the Pfäf f ikon test site, must also run safely and ef ficiently For this reason, the depar tment has equipped the extension’s entrances and exits wit h a total of six EFA SS T® L Premium high speed spiral doors.

More than two years after the handover of the keys for the new building, Beat Reichmuth, head of the test centre and chief expert, has made an extremely positive assessment He is more than satisfied with the operation of the doors They reliably meet all the requirements specified in the tender. A pleasant working climate is maintained in the test hall due to rapid opening and closing speeds Vehicles drive into the hall and leave it again about 40 times a day The three test tracks are occupied daily in a tight schedule Disruptions of any kind would mean delays in time and therefore also financial losses

The Canton of Schwyz Transport Department is responsible for the registration of vehicles used in road and shipping traffic The two inspection bodies Pfäffikon and Einsiedeln service 130,000 motor vehicles and 5,700 ships registered in the canton of Schwyz 40,000 vehicle checks are carried out in the test centres every year

Cleverly connected

In the meantime, after consulting with the traffic department, EFAFLEX has upgraded all the doors with the new EFA SmartConnect® module. Thanks to this intelligent networking of door systems, the operating and maintenance costs can also be optimised

With EFA SmartConnect®, EFAFLEX is providing the IoT solution for networked doors The associated, user friendly app facilitates central monitoring and displays the status of all doors clearly and in real time

According to the Diagnosis Service Maintenance principle, faults can be prevented in good time and maintenance can be planned with foresight. This minimises downtime and lowers operating costs. EFA SmartConnect® works highly efficiently even in case of failure: you can use the app to send notifications directly to EFAFLEX Thanks to fast transmission times, communication with EFAFLEX service technicians is just one click away In this way, processes are accelerated and downtime is reduced

Since the recent introduction of the app, the EFA SmartConnect® module is installed in the door control of almost all doors It permanently sends status reports on all doors to the app and therefore allows for faults or your service requests to be sent directly to EFAFLEX

Customer data security is guaranteed at all times EFA SmartConnect® saves all relevant information in the local network The customer alone decides when which information is sent to EFAFLEX A communication will take place only through the conscious transmission of data to the service This communication is maximally secured as well: All information remains safe and confidential by using modern end to end encryption

Six in one sweep

After a short introduction, Beat Reichmuth and his team are able to programme the six doors’ peripheries independently using a tablet If professional assistance is required, EFAFLEX will promptly and flexibly send a service technician to the site The EFA SmartConnect® app is practical and easy to use for employees at the Pfäffikon test centre. The application can be extended by adding many other features

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 high speed 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 ten 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

SMALLER BUT PERFECTLY FORMED: THE NEW ASTECH AUTOMATIC BANDSAW

Interfood has announced its latest offering for processors involved in the cutting of both fresh and frozen products with the launch of a new version of the popular Astech bandsaw

The Astech SRA 3 0 bandsaw builds on many of the features of the original, with new additions which include a completely new gripping system to minimise product movement and a smaller footprint to optimise space

Safety is ensured through the blade area being fully enclosed, with the blade stopped during the loading process Despite the enclosure the bandsaw s internal workings have been specifically designed for easy access to ensure simple maintenance Meeting the requirements of IP67, attention has also been paid to hygiene with a 100% washable and waterproof design Modifications have been made to optimise

cleaning of the product and to avoid the accumulation of debris with a pump providing pressure to direct water accurately via strategically placed nozzles

Richard Nethercot is Group Divisional Manager Low Risk Butchery Division at Interfood He comments: “ We always try and listen to customer needs and respond to how the market is evolving We have fed that back to Astech and this has been reflected in the latest version For those

processors who prefer a fully automated bandsaw operation, the SRA 3 0 offers an impressive performance with the adjustable cutting speed ensuring high quality cuts for either bone in or boneless products If a processor prefers a more hand fed approach, then we offer BladeStop, a system specifically developed to minimise the potential for serious injury with the blade stopping automatically if contact is made in the quickest stopping time on the market

Another feature of the Astech SRA 3 0 bandsaw is the pneumatic tensioner which provides constant tension to the saw blade, further improving cut quality and reducing the time required to change the blade Two machines can be controlled by a single operator via an easy to use interface, with the capacity to store up to 50 different recipes

BLANCO NIÑO FIRST MOVERS WITH RECYCLABLE TORTILLA CHIP PACKAGING

Blanco Niño the premium corn tortilla and tortilla chip producer is switching to fully recyclable packaging for its award winning range of corn tortilla chips

Blanco Niño is the first premium corn tortilla chip brand in the UK and Ireland to move to fully recyclable packaging

A typical plastic crisp packet takes hundreds of years to decompose In the UK alone, six billion packets are consumed every year and only a fraction of these are recycled

Blanco Niño s new packaging is made from a plastic resin called polypropylene 5 which is widely recycled The innovative new design will keep the product fresher for longer

Commenting on the announcement, Blanco Niño Founder and CEO Philip Martin, says:

“I’m looking forward to unveiling our new recyclable packaging to our customers It’s a momentous step for Blanco Niño in reducing our impact on the environment We saw an opportunity to develop fully

recyclable packaging and I m very proud to say that we re one of the first to do so

The packaging is a bespoke design with a window, featuring eye catching stylised landscapes representing key ingredients of each flavour The product range itself remains unchanged and retains the premium quality the brand has become known for The range includes Lightly Salted Blue Corn (formerly called Ancient Grain) and Chilli & Lime

Blanco Niño’s Director of Community, Ruth Jenkins said: We ve been humbled by the great response to the bag design and I

feel it stands out on shelf For Blanco Niño as a brand, sustainability and doing the right thing has been a priority from the outset Blanco Niño Tortilla Chips earned five stars at the Great Taste Awards 2022 double stars for their Lightly Salted and Blue Corn flavours, and a star for Chilli & Lime Judges noted: A superb texture and mouthfeel, truly wonderful Perfectly salted and a joy to eat, and we feel that this is a great example of a traditional tortilla chip They are light delicate and so very well produced, and we applaud your process and creation here ”

The tortilla chips are naturally gluten free, vegan friendly kosher certified and are made using the finest ingredients, some of which are sourced from heritage farmers in Mexico itself Blanco Niño Tortilla Chips can be found in numerous fine food stores across the UK

BURGER & SAUCE BRINGS FRESH OFFERING TO NOTTINGHAM

Burger & Sauce brings a fresh offering to Nottingham with the launch of its brand new restaurant on Alfreton Road, creating 20 new jobs in the city The new site will be managed by Subhan Munir who also runs the Alum Rock Burger & Sauce in Birmingham

Burger & Sauce franchisee Subhan Munir explains: “Customers literally can’t get enough of our tasty burgers all freshly made in store, each day! They also love our signature sauces which take our burgers to a whole new level of delicious fresh, fast food

“ We know from running our UberEATS numbers for other Burger & Sauce restaurants that we have a 75 80% customer retention rate which means customer loyalty is strong It’s great to welcome back the same faces and we are committed to encouraging repeat orders with plenty of new menu innovations

“Demand is such that as soon as I opened the Alum Rock Burger & Sauce during the pandemic I realised there was an opportunity to grow and operate multiple restaurants I’ve already agreed to open four more outlets in the near future

Alfreton Road is the first of these and we are now located right in the heart of a popular food and restaurant area of the city

“ We chose Nottingham as it has a vibrant student population and believe our great food and prices will really hit the sweet spot for those who ve come to study at the University as well as tempting those who live in the area too!”

Burger & Sauce is recruiting for new team members in Nottingham

For those interested in running a Burger & Sauce restaurant, exclusive territories are currently available in the Midlands. A ten-year franchise

licence is £15,000 plus store and fit-out costs, planning and legal fees plus management service fee and marketing contribution. Multi-site development licences are also available for approved franchisees. For further information please email: franchise@burgerandsau ce.com or visit: www.burgerandsauce.com /franchise/

SNACKS FOR FLAVOUR FANATICS

For the snackers and the grazers who want snacks that pack a flavour punch Don’t settle for bland or boring experience proper tasty snacks from Robert s Dorset

For all your snacking needs, Robert’s Dorset products are made from only the

best ingredients and deliver a big hit of flavour when you need it Think spicy and smoky peanuts salty tangy cashews and creamy, moreish fudge

Robert’s Dorset caters to all diets with sugar free, vegan, keto friendly, allergen free and high protein options on the menu Always with the same great taste

• Proper Pork Crackling triple cooked with incredible crunch and available in 11 flavours

• Yummy Peanuts and Delicious Cashews grade AA nuts, ethically and sustainably sourced and available in 12 flavours

• Fabulous Fudge 100% British and available in 15 flavours Cream based and gluten free Two vegan varieties available

• Gift Boxes choose the snacks you want in customisable boxes

If you have a shop or bar, open a trade account to offer your customers our great range of products. Call or email Robert robert@robertsdorset.com Tel: 01202875280 www.robertsdorset.com

DOUBLE-WALL MODULAR MAGNET FILTER FOR CHOCOLATE

The range of magnetic filters that Goudsmit Magnetics has been manufacturing for several years has recently been expanded with a modular double wall chocolate filter The magnetic filter produced according to EHEDG guidelines is composed of Neodymium magnets that ensure effective separation of very small iron particles from 30µm, weakly magnetic particles and even iron dust from sticky substances such as chocolate The hygienic filter can be seen on the Powtech in

piece RVS 316 The new design prevents the heated liquid, e g water, from entering the product channel This water flows through the outer wall of the filter and keeps the chocolate liquid In the fully modular design, a standard filter vessel of choice can be an ISO or a DIN pipe This makes the filter easy to integrate into existing installations and also suitable for all couplings The system fully meets the highest possible requirements within the food industry such as HACCP and EHEDG

FOR MOMENTS TO SAVOUR, MIX LIKE AN ITALIAN

Anpellegrino joins world renowned mixologist Agostino Perrone Director of Mixology at The Connaught, to show the creative process behind Mystery of Simplicity a signature serve that is the result of the bar team s collective inspiration

In a beguiling blend of apple and oak, classic ingredients are given an unexpected twist and the ordinary becomes extraordinary A perfectly balanced blend where oaky notes are softened by sweet and sour elements for a combination never tasted before

Mystery of Simplicity featuring Equiano Rum, Discarded Banana Rum, Apostoles Sherry, fermented apple, lemon peel, Oriental sherbet finished with Sanpellegrino Oakwood Tonic is part of The Connaught Bar ’ s latest cocktail list, Impressions

Sanpellegrino’s Oakwood Tonic is just one of Sanpellegrino s new range of Mixers Superbly balanced bitter sweet, crisp and vibrant flavours, the Sanpellegrino Mixers range also includes Tonica Citrus, Limonata, Aranciata and brand new Ginger Beer and Tastefully Light Tonic

The new range aims to bring people together in the Italian way through the traditional aperitivo drinking occasion The six premium sparkling drinks are made to uplift shared drinking occasions, whether mixing into a cocktail, elevating a mocktail or serving over ice with a slice

Michela Tasso Sanpellegrino UK Brand Manager, says: “Italian to our core, we ’ ve always embraced the ‘aperitivo hour ’ at Sanpellegrino Early evening consumption continues to grow and we re thrilled to launch our new Mixers range that caters for a variety of cocktail styles Agostino Perrone is an icon of Italian hospitality and world class mixology and we couldn t be prouder

of seeing our Sanpellegrino Oakwood Tonic perfectly mixed in a cocktail that carries the signature of Agostino and The Connaught Bar team”

The Sanpellegrino Mixers range is available to purchase online and in the on-trade directly from Nestle Waters.

Nuremberg, stand 3 634 In the new design, the housing is not welded but made of one

LUXURY HOT SAUCE BRAND CHILLI NO. 5 WINS 6 GREAT TASTE AWARDS

Chilli No 5 the world’s leading luxury hot sauce purveyor is thrilled to announce that they have won an incredible six 2022 Great Taste Awards

The Jamaican Jerk, the Chinese Hot & Sour, the Heavenly Harissa, the Devilish Dijon hot sauces, and the Pizza Pizzaz oil garnered a 1 star Great Taste Award which means ‘delicious’, and Chilli No 5’s hot and fiery Chilli Flakes scooped a coveted 2 star Great Taste Award, which means outstanding

Products at the Great Taste Awards are being judged rigorously on taste, texture, appearance and quality of ingredients and blind tasted by a panel of more than 500 experts

“ These six awards are due to our unwavering commitment to creating the world s finest healthy hot sauces made from the best ingredients, and our team’s dedication to creating innovative hot sauces that pair beautifully with about any cuisine on the planet said Rumble Romagnoli CEO and founder of Chilli No 5

Jamaican Jerk

Chilli No 5 s lip smacking Jamaican Jerk

luxury hot sauce embodies the flavours of the Caribbean, infused with spicy Scotch bonnet peppers for a truly authentic taste of Jamaica

Chinese Hot & Sour

Chinese Hot & Sour offers an authentic taste of the Orient and is an ideal accompaniment to a wide range of Asian inspired dishes It is packed with roasted tomatoes, red peppers, onions, Szechuan peppers and caramelised pineapples

GREGGS PICKS UP PROTEIN-BOOSTED BARS FOR ON-THE-GO SNACKING

Consumers will be able to purchase two of FUEL10K s most popular oat bars in Greggs shops across the UK Greggs is expanding its range of on the go snacking options by offering the protein packed bars which are available in two flavours: Chocolate and Salted Caramel (£1 29 each)

Specialising in tasty, healthier food that helps to fuel busy people FUEL10K s oat bars are one of the brand’s most popular products Packed with British grown oats and 9g of plant protein, the bars are vegan,

gluten free and under 200 calories each Scott Chassels, Managing Director at FUEL10K , said:

“Securing a listing in one of the nation’s favourite retailers is huge for us and our journey to bring great tasting, healthier and convenient food and drink to even more people Consumers will be able to pick up a protein packed FUEL10K bar at the same time as their favourite Greggs item, making it even easier to get an energy boost when they need it most in their day ”

Pizza Pizzaz

Our Pizza Pizzaz chilli oil is infused with garlic, rosemary, thyme and Chilli No 5’s exclusive five chilli blend Perfect drizzled on pizza, pasta, and grilled meats and seafood

Devilish Dijon

Devilish Dijon is a tasty hot and spicy mustard sauce It is designed to enhance a wide selection of savoury dishes, perfect on juicy steaks or cold cuts

Heavenly Harissa

Chilli No 5’s Heavenly Harissa is a North African inspired sauce filled with roasted red peppers sundried tomatoes and garlic The smoky flavour makes it perfect for BBQs or as a dipping sauce

Chilli Flakes

Finally, our selection of Chilli Flakes, made from the world’s hottest peppers, adds incredible heat to soups stews curries meats vegetables and seafood Use with caution these are for serious chilli connoisseurs!

NEW FACTORY STRENGTHENS PROSEAL’S AUSTRALIAN OPERATION

Tray sealing specialist Proseal has relocated to a new factory in Australia to further enhance its comprehensive range of sales and support services for customers throughout the country

The move is in response to the continuing high demand for Proseal’s wide range of tray sealing machines as well as its recently introduced CP3™ case packing system, and its capabilities in the devising of bespoke sealing solutions for customers in both food and non food markets The company s success is reflected in the double digit growth it has achieved in each of the last five years

The new 2 100m2 office and warehouse combination in Westmeadows, Melbourne, close to the city ’ s international airport and Central Business District will double Proseal s manufacturing capacity with six machining centres and an expanded assembly operation This will ensure the

company can continue to meet customer requirements with fast turnaround for the supply of tooling

Customer support features include a Test Kitchen for the assessment and trial of new packaging materials and tray/film combinations: a machine demonstration area; a large meeting room; and a dedicated training facility The factory will also house an extensive spares holding to provide a fast response for replacement parts and to support Proseal’s comprehensive service

operations, including its preventative maintenance contracts

In addition, the new facility will be home to parent company JBT s Diversified Food & Health and AutoCoding Systems operations, offering customers a fully integrated solution for food and drink processing and packing systems with local manufacture and centralised spare parts holding and customer care services

Australia is a very important market for Proseal and we are committed to delivering the highest standards of service and support,” commented Scott Templeton, General Manager Proseal Australia The range of facilities within our new factory will both enhance our manufacturing capabilities and help customers to identify the most appropriate solution for their requirements and get the best out of the equipment they select ”

MICHELLIN-STARRED BOHEMIA IN JERSEY AWARDED FOUR AA ROSETTES IN 2022 AA HOSPITALITY AWARDS

Bohemia, Jersey’s only Michelin starred restaurant led by Head Chef Callum Graham and located within The Club Hotel & Spa in St Helier, is delighted to have been awarded four AA Rosettes, an outstanding and prestigious award recognising restaurants with the highest culinary standards in the UK This impressive accolade was announced last night (26 September) at the 2022 AA Hospitality Awards held at JW Marriot Grosvenor House, placing Bohemia amongst the very top restaurants in the UK and nationally recognising the restaurant for its appreciation of culinary traditions, impeccable execution and a passion for continued improvement and excellence

Bohemia offers delicious modern European fare using only the finest fresh, high quality and seasonal ingredients available in Jersey and surrounding islands Influenced by his classical training in Michelin starred restaurants spanning London, Paris and

Geneva, Callum’s ambitious tasting, set and surprise menus are an exercise in elegance and flavour turning local ingredients into culinary works of art Callum Graham, Head Chef at Bohemia comments: “To receive four AA Rosettes is a spectacular milestone for myself and the team at Bohemia we are immensely proud It is amazing to see that the work the team puts in day in, day out is being recognised This is certainly a moment to treasure and fills us with even more motivation to continue to improve and delight our guests ”

Lawrence Huggler, Manging Director of

Huggler Group (including The Club Hotel & Spa and Bohemia) adds: “I could not be prouder of Callum and the rest of the Bohemia team for working so hard every day to firmly keep Bohemia at the sharp end of the best restaurants in the UK They ensure excellence throughout and position the restaurant as one of the leaders in the industry To be recognised amongst the most highly esteemed restaurants with a four AA Rosette along with our Michelin Star is an honour and I d like to personally thank the whole team for what they achieve everyday delighting our customers ”

Earlier this year Bohemia maintained its Michelin star for the 18th consecutive year and in November 2021, Bohemia was ranked amongst the top ‘1000 Restaurants in the World by LA LISTE 2022 Distributed by Roche Communications on behalf of Bohemia & The Club Hotel & Spa, 27th September 2022

SOLUTION CREATED FOR FOOD MANUFACTURERS TO RECYCLE ONCE “UNRECYCLABLE” EQUIPMENT

TerraCycle, world leaders in recycling “ hard to recycle” waste, have created a range of Zero Waste Boxes™ designed to allow food manufacturers to recycle hair nets, earplugs, disposable gloves and safety equipment items that aren’t collected by councils and waste management companies for recycling so are traditionally destined for landfills or incineration

Zero Waste Boxes offer a comprehensive solution for equipment used in food contact environments These items are not recycled by councils or waste management companies as they are considered “ hard to recycle due to the mix of materials they contain which makes separating and processing them too complex and expensive

TerraCycle however does recycle these items and the Zero Waste Boxes allow food manufacturers to offer a sustainable solution for these types of equipment

The boxes available to be purchased from the Zero Waste Box website are delivered to the sites where staff can fill them with the accepted waste Once full, the prepaid and pre attached shipping labels are used to send the box back to TerraCycle where it will be sorted and the items sent for processing The price of each Zero Waste Box covers the box shipping storage at the Materials Recovery Facility and processing costs, as well as the costs of transporting and sorting the waste TerraCycle stores and aggregates the collected waste until the necessary volumes for processing have been achieved The waste is then sorted into categories based on material composition The different materials types are then sent to third party processing partners that recycle the materials into usable forms

With a growing spotlight on the waste crisis and corporate responsibility coming to the fore, the boxes provide a new solution that allows food manufacturers to continue using the equipment they need, whilst ensuring it has a second life once used Quorn Foods, leading producer of healthy and sustainable meat alternatives, uses the Disposable Gloves Zero Waste Box and the Centrifuge Tubes and Rigid Lab Plastics Zero Waste Box in its laboratories They purchased the boxes to find a sustainable

solution to dispose of the plastic waste used in their labs, including plastic gloves By using the Zero Waste Boxes they have saved an estimated 1500 pairs from going to landfill or incineration Through the Centrifuge Tubes and Rigid Lab Plastics Zero Waste Box they have ensured more than 500 pieces of single use rigid plastic have been recycled too

Mark Taylor, Lead Fermentation Scientist at Quorn Foods said, “Labs, by nature of their work, have a tendency to use a lot of single use plastic Whether it s lab equipment itself or the gloves we use to protect ourselves, it s part and parcel of lab work that plastic can be a necessity The trial with TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Boxes has so far been a great success ”

Simon Martin Farms, a dairy business located in Hampshire, has purchased Disposable Gloves Zero Waste Boxes for employees to ensure their nitrile gloves can be recycled A pair is worn for each milking twice a day, making a recycling solution much needed

Owner of the farm, Sam Martin, said: “As a business we ’ re committed to reducing our

waste but there are certain types of equipment we have to use that we can t just dispose of via our recycling partner or stop using altogether ”

Nitrile gloves are an absolute necessity for our work and the Zero Waste Boxes have made it very easy to recycle them They have added to our growing list of initiatives driven by the environment including our local milk vending machine which is solely based on reusable glass bottles ”

TerraCycle offers a range of Zero Waste Boxes that can be used in food manufacturing sites These include the Safety Equipment and Protective Gear Zero Waste Box, the Disposable Gloves Zero Waste Box the Disposable Gloves and Face Masks Zero Waste Box, and the Beard Nets and Hair Nets Zero Waste Box

To find out more about TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Box solutions, or to purchase a box for your site, visit the website and use the code FOOD20 at checkout for 20% off.

BARILLA MODERNISES ITS HERITAGE WITH A BRAND NEW IDENTITY

Barilla, the largest producer of pasta in the world, has for the first time in 25 years, launched a new logo and a more modern, friendly and sustainable plastic free pack The new logo celebrates the heritage of the brand by featuring its foundation year, 1877 Barilla is a staple of Italian history and has always been A Sign of Love on Italians tables

The Barilla brand story has truly gone full circle as the bakery where Barilla s founder Pietro Barilla senior first made his much loved pasta, is open once more La Bottega, in Barilla’s home town of Parma, Italy, brings the history and future of Barilla together stocking a wide variety of pasta as well as offering a view of the heart of Barilla the kitchen where many of Barilla’s recipes and historical products have been created Barilla chefs will also offer memorable show cooking and taste experiences during special occasions

Speaking about this new identity, Alberto Costella Marketing Manager for Export Markets at Barilla, comments:

“ The aim of this new positioning and brand identity is to inspire people with Signs of Love for pasta for the communities people live in, and for the planet itself Because it’s the small things that count and if a plate of pasta is a Sign of Love to show someone we care then many more actions done together, can become a Sign of Love for our planet ”

The new pack is designed to be a true Sign of Love like carefully wrapping a gift for a loved one ”

Barilla was one of the first food brands to

use a cardboard box as a pack, a box that is 100% recyclable and made of paper that comes from sustainably managed forests In the UK Barilla has already removed the plastic window from its packaging too Other innovations in Barilla’s sustainability agenda include its new pesto, with a jar conceived to reduce food waste and the product itself made with basil coming from sustainable agriculture

Barilla s new packaging and logo is available on shelf now in Morrisons Tesco Asda, Co op, Amazon and Ocado, through Barilla’s UK distribution partner, Euro Food Brands

AWARD-WINNING DRINKS BAKERY EXPANDS INTO BOOMING GLOBAL ALCOHOL-FREE MARKET

The Drinks Bakery, which created the world’s first ever range of savoury biscuits expertly matched with drinks is expanding into the booming global alcohol free market by repackaging its multi award winning Drinks Biscuits to include tasting notes for non alcoholic drinks

The move is the result of a two year project driven by the global growth of alcohol free drinks, which is currently the fastest growing segment in the UK and is forecast by analysts from industry experts IWSR to “ grow by 6% per annum on average by 2023 (as opposed to the total beer market which is forecast to be flat to slightly declining)”

This expansion into the ‘ no and low ’ alcohol drinks market comes hot on the heels of the Drinks Bakery taking its first orders from Australia, while Drinks Biscuits are becoming a firm foodie favourite across the ‘Pond’, too, with listings up and down the

USA, including Central Markets in Texas, Providence Fine Foods in Portland and, coming soon, legendary NYC establishment Murray s Cheese stores

The non alcohol drinks pairing project started in 2020, when the Edinburgh based firm received an enquiry from Spinneys in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where alcohol consumption and purchasing are heavily regulated

The Drinks Bakery then embarked on two

years ’ work testing flavour profiles to match their biscuits with various zero alcohol drinks

Spinneys customers in the UAE will soon be able to select the perfect premium snack for their non alcoholic drinks from the four Drinks Bakery flavours Each flavour profile has bespoke, on pack information highlighting pairings for various non alcoholic drinks

For example the Parmesan Toasted Pine Nuts and Basil Drinks Biscuits are the perfect nibble alongside a glass of chilled sparkling white grape juice, while a hoppy 0% beer will go beautifully with the Lancashire Cheese and Spring Onion flavour The Pecorino, Rosemary and Seaweed Drinks Biscuits are the ideal companion to juniper style gin alternatives whilst fruity malt drinks are an excellent match with Mature Cheddar, Chilli and Almond biscuits

For more information on Barilla, its full range of pasta products and its sustainability targets, please visit: www.barillagroup.com

Print directly onto donuts and large confections with new Eddie platform kit

Eddie is an edible ink desktop printer for printing full-colour photos, logos, designs and text directly on to the surface of baked goods and confectioner y.

And now it is capable of printing on even taller items including donuts, jumbo marshmallows, bars, bagels, and mini cakes up to 50 8mm tall and up to 114mm 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 cookies one at a time prints and sends them back to the carousel all automatically and hands free To print on taller confections such as donuts, 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 edible ink is Kosher and 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 semi professional 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 the Edible Ink Printer

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

Packaging revolution to streamline processes and save the environment

Consumers might not think too deeply about the packaging that brings their food and drink to shops or restaurants, but it is a vital part of the chain that is undergoing huge advances.

In recent years, governments worldwide have emphasised the need to shift towards a circular economy for packaging with a particular focus on phasing out single use, virgin and unrecyclable plastics, and exploring options for reusable products and refillable packaging

Many brands have also established ambitious commitments to make their packaging more sustainable by 2025 More than 500 organisations have signed up to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment which recognises that reuse models should be explored to reduce the need for single use plastic packaging

However, while the drivers for adopting refill and reuse models are clear the fundamentals of implementing such packaging solutions, while ensuring regulatory compliance, connecting with consumers and gathering data for business insight are not necessarily straightforward Particularly in coding and marking, different models may require different approaches to product labelling, says Lee Metters, Group Business Development Director, Domino Printing

Sciences (Domino)

Opportunities for brands exploring refill and reuse models

He says: “ The Ellen MacArthur Foundation suggests that, globally, replacing just 20% of single use plastic packaging with reusable alternatives offers an opportunity worth at least $10bn “ The benefits include the obvious cost reductions associated with reduced packaging and transportation yet reuse and refill models can also help to improve the overall consumer experience, build brand loyalty, and generate valuable data and insight to help inform business decisions

However the various consumer facing reuse and refill models will present different options and opportunities for brands and demand different product labelling information and methods ”

One company that has embraced new hi tech methods is the Fourpure Brewing Company, based on London’s famous Bermondsey Beer Mile, which recently installed a flexible and moveable case coding

system from Clearmark Solutions to complement its £2 5m expansion investment, which now comprises a fully automated canning line

Replacing a legacy ink coder on the case packing line the ICE Vulcan print and apply labelling system now fully satisfies supermarket GS1 barcoding requirements by ensuring every single SKU contains a clearly legible Grade A barcode and is positioned in a uniform way

Supplied with a modular conveyor, engineered to address several specific automation challenges, Clearmark designed, built and delivered the print and apply labelling system to accommodate multiple pack formats, in less than 10 weeks

“Labelling on average 30 ppm with the highest precision with no compressed air requirements, the ICE Vulcan is capable of four times the current line speed which gives huge future proofing Additionally, its maintenance free design reduces the printer ’ s total cost of ownership equating to incredibly small ongoing operation and maintenance costs explains Clearmark s Steve Hancock

Meanwhile, food packaging manufacturer PFF Group is pioneering the use of digital watermarking technology on its products which will enable more accurate sorting of packaging waste and deliver higher recycling rates

Digital watermarks are imperceptible codes on the surface of packaging carrying information about the product’s journey including manufacturer, plastic type, composition, and usage

The ambition is that these codes can be read at waste sorting facilities by high resolution cameras, resulting in more accurate sorting and detection of higher quality recyclates, helping to achieve better recycling goals

The initiative is part of a trial which aims to prove the technical and economic viability of intelligent sorting at scale, enabling new recycling streams that currently do not exist The trial is being overseen by AIM the European Brands Association and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and is supported by over 130 companies and organisations

PFF s championing of sustainable packaging solutions has seen the company invest heavily in technology and systems to support this Recent investments have included £200,000 in new transformer technology to reduce the company s carbon emissions by 5% as well as the launch of a ground breaking, fully recyclable packaging product IMPAC T which uses less plastic than equivalent PET packaging and is suitable for all food applications

Ian Smith, Group Sales Director at PFF Packaging, said: “Innovation and digital are the core drivers towards sustainability At PFF we take our carbon zero commitments seriously as evidenced by our continued investment in new processes to engineer plastic out of products This watermark technology provides a digital record of a product s journey and has an important role to play in helping to achieve recycling targets and in making the use of recycled polypropylene in food applications a reality ”

The packing firm with a licence to fulfil

What links James Bond, cheese and the Second World War?

The answer is Gordian Strapping, one of the top manufacturers of strapping and hooding packing systems in the UK , which has just celebrated its 85th birthday.

Those clues in reverse: The outbreak of the war in 1939 was a blessing in disguise for the firm that had started life just two years earlier as Strappings Ltd as it won several major contracts to supply tensional strapping wire to the Ministry of War

And everyone ’ s favourite secret agent? In the 1985 Bond movie A View To A Kill, one of the strapping machines manufactured by the company now Gordian Strapping, had a starring role alongside Roger Moore

The cheese comes in thanks to Barber ’ s Cheesemakers, an almost two century old firm that has been using Gordian Strapping s machinery for almost 25 years

Based in Basingstoke, Gordian Strapping is the UK’s leading supplier of strapping, wrapping and hooding machinery

With over 275 years of experience across their sales and engineering teams, they provide packaging solutions across a wide range of industries

Richard Allen of Gordian says: At the heart of what we do is our customers Since 1937, we have been striving to find the right solution for them and ensure that, in an ever changing world, we can make a meaningful contribution to their operational success

And one of their best customers is Barber ’ s The Barber family have been making cheddar cheese for longer than anyone else worldwide So, when it comes to combining the finest West Country milk with traditional manufacturing methods to produce award winning cheese, they like to think that they ’ ve learnt a thing or two

In 1833 Daniel Barber began making cheese on his

Somerset farm Nearly two centuries later and the company is still there, now the oldest surviving cheddar makers in the world

We have used Gordian Strapping for over 24 years now they do an excellent job for us and represent good value for the overall service and ongoing support they provide us, ” says their Head of Engineering

Richard Allen adds: We keep customers like Barber s because of a combination of the performance and reliability of our equipment”

The bespoke product they supplied for Barber ’ s came with a series of challenges not least one that would allow the cheese to be packaged in boxes and kept perfectly firm and still while it matured for anything between three months and two years

That s the kind of challenge Gordian relishes says Richard, who knew they had to provide the perfect solution for the company which will this year produce 22,000 tonnes of cheese

Gordian s designers researched the very best solutions that would allow the most minimal movement in the packaging so they could create the perfect mould for the cheese, on which Barbers has built its reputation for nearly 200 years

Barber ’ s says: “ We’re also the sole guardians of the country ’ s last remaining traditional cheese starter cultures the ‘friendly ’ bacteria that start the cheesemaking process and contribute to the final texture, aroma and taste Only by using these cultures can we be sure that we ’ re making true West Country Cheddar

Since 1833 we ve embraced new technology and

innovation However we still rely on the expertise and instincts of our cheesemakers to ensure our cheese is the best it can be We ‘cheddar ’ our curds by hand and mature our cheese until it reaches peak condition

We believe that it s this attention to detail and authenticity that allows our cheese to develop the rich, full flavour of traditional cheddar That and nearly 200 years of experience, of course ”

It s this attention to detail that has made Gordian Strapping one of the leading providers of end of line packing equipment in the UK And one of their unique selling points is their after sales care service

Richard says: We have 16 engineers in the UK so there’s always someone close by to attend for breakdowns, maintenance and servicing Nobody else has that level of field support

Originally founded in central London after renaming as Gordian Strapping in the 1960s, the company grew and grew, adding more products to the offering and eventually partnering with StraPack in the early 1970s

In 1995 Gordian Strapping became an official member of the StraPack Corporation group, distributing their world class strapping machines across the UK

The 1980s was a busy decade for Gordian as they partnered with Italian manufacturer OMS who they still

have a great relationship with to this day and it was the latter part of the decade that saw Gordian relocate to their current office in Basingstoke

The supreme quality of their machines has earnt StraPack a globally renowned name in the strapping machinery market Alongside StraPack, Gordian also offer products from Italian brands: OMS, PKG and AREA

all of which provide some of the most impressive machines on the market Gordian s customers rest easy knowing that their machine is made from the highest quality materials, offering a reliability and consistency that is essential when working in manufacturing and distribution

For over 85 years, Gordian have served customers at every level, from small scale semi automatic machines right the way up to fully automated integrated systems They work tirelessly to find the right solution for their customers, by trying to find the option that not only provides operational success, but also value for money

After 85 years the company continues to innovate and provide solutions to companies of all kinds right across the country, rising to meet every challenge

www.gordianstrapping.co.uk

Kismet is the king of kebabs

Based in Latchingdon, Essex, Kismet Kebabs Ltd is committed to meeting the entire kebab needs of the food industr y.

They are an accredited, FSA and EHO 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, and their mission is to provide quality kebabs at a reasonable price

Amird Devadasan of Kismet Kebabs joined the company just over six years ago as Operations Director and more than doubled their turnover to £12 4m prompting his immediate promotion to CEO The company is now turning over around £15m

The company was set up in 2008 by two British Cypriots one from the Turkish side and one from the Greek half, bringing the best of both cultures to create the perfect kebab

Amird says the company is extremely diverse among the 60 strong workforce are people from the UK , Bulgaria, Turkey, Albania, Greece, Brazil, Portugal and India

Amird says: We produce quality products at a reasonable price, but you ’ re not going to get a Rolls Royce for a Ford Fiesta price That’s what we ’ re like We are the Rolls Royce of kebabs in the UK”

We are the biggest manufacturers in the country and we ’ ve won two awards for being the best manufacturing supplier in the UK , and fingers crossed we ’ re going for the hat trick ”

When Amird joined the company it was producing

just under hundred tonnes of kebabs a week now they ’ re making over 200 tonnes

He says: “ We do all the doner kebabs on site, we have lamb, beef, chicken, mixed beef chicken and lamb

We also do chicken shawarma which has grown exponentially in demand, we do Turkish Mediterranean style flavours, we do chicken tandoori, peri peri So, we have a huge variety, but our biggest volume is the Turkish Mediterranean flavour chicken

“ These are all handmade, so it’s a labour intensive process but we feel that is necessary for the quality product we want to put out ”

To meet the demands of a changing food market Kismet is also putting out a vegan kebab, which Amird challenges anyone to taste test and will be unable to spot the difference to a normal doner one

So busy is the company that they are currently putting in their first automated packing line to keep up with demand

He said: We have a lot of smaller companies nipping at our toes but none of them are putting the quality of meat into their products that we are, nor taking such care with production and looking after our customers We re the best and will continue to aim for that all the time

Trafalgar Scientific’s online revolution

Already at the forefront of technology in helping the food and drink industr y monitor, test and evaluate its products, Trafalgar Scientific has upped its game even further.

The company has introduced a major upgrade to its website at www trafalgarscientific co uk which will allow its clients to access all its services online The new website now has all of the following features:

• Online Ordering They have made the ordering process much simpler It now takes less time for clients to get to the checkout Payment by card is now accepted online

• Order Tracking It is now easier than ever to track your active web orders Receive email notifications when your order is confirmed and despatched

• Account Management Tools Customers can add as many user accounts to their company account as needed with the ability to set permissions for those users It is now easier to manage all company addresses

• Shopping Lists Clients can add as many items as

they wish to your list for future reference

• Quick Ordering If customers already know the SKUs that they need and need it quick they can use the Quick Order Pad to import product SKUs to immediately add them to their cart

Matthew Bramley of Trafalgar Scientific says: “ This is a major step forward and allows our customers to access all the services they need in one place They can order from all our ranges and it s essentially a one stop shop for everything we offer for the food and drink industry ”

The company was founded in 1993 by enthusiastic entrepreneur Matthew Bramley, who spotted a gap in the microbiology market and was determined to fill it

Starting out from a small office in Leicester, Matthew began to realise his vision of supporting and helping laboratories optimise their searches and attain valuable results

Fast forward to today, and Trafalgar Scientific works in many sectors as well as the food and beverage

industry: veterinary pharmaceutical cosmetics water testing dairy and brewery

The demand for Trafalgar Scientific’s services has grown exponentially, with significant demand for their range of laboratory and testing kits

There was a pivotal moment in 2014 when the company, spurred on by its growth and success, decided to acquire much larger premises

This enabled Trafalgar Scientific to employ warehouse operatives and provide transport for deliveries, which hugely increased the portfolio of business development representatives they had across the entire country

They are now a major supplier of lab and microbiological equipment to both the private and public sectors across the UK

Over the years Trafalgar Scientific has gained recognition and built reputation of its brand and exclusive customer service amongst many well known brands

Further expansion came in 2018 when due to internal and external expansion, Trafalgar Scientific had to once more move to bigger premises to be able to continue serving their current and new customers offering an even wider range of products available for next day delivery

It’s a sin

but a ver y sweet business

Jiten Shah had worked in finance for 15 years but had a dream to venture into business on his own. And when he stumbled across the SugarSin shop in London’s Covent Garden, he knew he had found the business he was looking for.

As Jiten describes it, it was love at first sight when he looked through the windows at the cornucopia of sweets on display and that was before he had even tasted them

The business had been set up in 2011 by two sisters whose USP was bringing to London the unique styles and tastes of Swedish sweets

By 2015 the founders were looking to return to their homeland, and Jiten’s dream became reality in 2019 when he took over SugarSin

Jiten brought on board Clare Turnbull who had 20 years experience working with big chocolate and confectionery brands a love that was ignited when she was given 20p by her dad to spend on pick and mix

During her long and varied career, one of her highlights was creating a giant Easter egg with enough chocolate to feed 70 people!

It s the perfect partnership says Jiten he handles the business side and Clare leads on product development And they both get to indulge their passion of sweets and confectionery

But SugarSin isn’t just a vanity project it’s developed an outstanding reputation and its shop window in the heart of London’s touristy Covent Garden means it has developed huge

brand awareness Jiten and Clare have since expanded the products on offer, especially with their gummies lines which include Fizzy Tropical Gin Fizz and Peach Sangria flavours

During lockdown, when the shop had to close, they massively developed their online presence, building up direct sales to customers They also took the opportunity to revitalise their branding and packaging to make SugarSin even more distinctive

SugarSin has scooped many awards since the new regime took over Best Sweet Shop of the Year 2019 Central London; Best Premium Confectionery Retailer of the Year 2020; Artisan Confectioners of the Year 2020 Central London; SME Entrepreneurial Brand of the Year 2020; Best Luxury Confectionery Brand 2021

And their name is spreading far beyond Covent Garden They already sell to Canada, the US, Europe, the Far East and Australia

Jiten also has his eyes on domestic expansion, looking at a number of potential sites in other central London tourist hotspots to open new shops to complement the Covent Garden original SugarSin’s central concept of ‘posh pick ‘ n ’ mix ’ is certainly proving a winner for customers at home and abroad, and Jiten’s never been happier than since he took over the business and realised his dream In fact you could say he’s like a kid in a sweetshop

The answer to success is blowin’ in the wind

In The Welsh Wind is a small distiller y with big ideas creating the perfect spirits right in the heart of Wales.

Overlooking Cardigan Bay the distillery produces its own range of drinks initially focusing on gin but now whisky as well

Ellen Wakelam and Alex Jungmayr founded the business in 2018 after Ellen a teacher and Alex who had started out as a pub manager and retrained as a baker, decided they needed a change in direction in life

The seeds had been planted in 2013 when they took on an epic 1,000 mile walk all around their beloved Wales, which they had lived away from for a while The beauty of the country made them realise they wanted to set up business back home After a visit to Scotland in 2017, by then with a toddler in tow, and touring the micro distilleries there, they hit upon their idea to found the distillery

Ellen said: A couple of days after we came back from Scotland we realised that we were both thinking the same thing we should set up a craft distillery in Wales”

Four years on In The Welsh Wind is producing and selling their own, award winning, Signature Style dry gin, as well as the Eccentric range of spirits They are also the only distillery in Wales producing a 100% grain to glass Welsh whisky using barley grown right near the distillery

The success story earned Ellen a major award in the NatWest Everywoman awards last year the Demeter

award for an inspirational woman running a business trading for 3 5 years

In The Welsh Wind produces and sells its own drinks, and also offers instruction on others wanting to create their own gins as well as producing bespoke drinks to their customers exact specifications

Ellen says: “ We offer gin making and gin tasting experiences here in the distillery People who come for a gin making experience will spend time in our gin lab and be introduced to botanical profiles and have the importance of ‘ hero’ botanicals explained to them They learn how to operate one of our custom made copper pot mini stills and discover more about the different stages of distillation while their own gin develops they then take home their own hand annotated bottle of gin”

As part of their Welsh Origin Whisky project they were keen to explore the opportunities for different cask seasonings and finishes Ellen says: “Our experience up in Scotland, particularly on Islay where it s possible to visit 10 distilleries all within a few miles of each other, demonstrated the wide variety of finishes that can be employed to create unique and interesting whiskies

result we currently offer 10 cask seasonings for our Welsh whisky cask owners to choose from

As

D rinking your way to a healthier lifestyle

The lifestyle drinks categor y has been tr ying to get a foothold in the market for many years and now it’s started to explode.

Thanks to Tom Bell’s evangelical mission through his work starting and building SkinnyBrands and now through his DrinkWell retailer and wholesaler, the message is finally being driven home

One problem, says Tom, is that for too long people have confused lower calorie beers and wines with low alcohol but nothing could be further from the truth

Lifestyle is the best of both worlds, it has the same strength as normal or only slightly lower, but saves significantly on sugars carbs and calories

“Currently the only marketing innovation in the UK is all about stripping alcohol out and replacing with sugar, carbs and additives to replace the flavour and body of the products and that s the opposite of what we do says Tom

With the American market taking on board low calorie drinking in a big way, as a multibillion dollar market thriving for over a decade Tom is finally helping the tide to turn in the UK market

Since launching in 2012, DrinkWell has searched far and wide to bring the finest lower calorie alcohol available to the UK market which maintains the alcohol

strength

DrinkWell is the home of the lifestyle drinks category in the UK With hundreds of options to suit everyone searching for an incredible wine, beer, spirit and more Perfecting this range gradually over time, DrinkWell now offers the UK s most exciting collection of lower calorie alcohol available across the UK Ensuring that the only compromise is the number of calories contained, they make sure that the drinks they sell are of the highest quality truly innovative and something you would be delighted to share with your friends and family

As the leading innovator in the category in the UK , the Founder and Managing Director of DrinkWell Tom Bell, has grown own label and third party brand distribution for the lifestyle drinks category for 10 years

Tom says: “ Whether you are trimming down or counting calories looking for low sulphur wine gluten free lager or vegan friendly alcohol, or simply wanting to buy alcohol online at a great price, then we have the perfect alcoholic beverages just for you ”

Tom would also like to see increased nutritional

labelling on alcohol aimed at tackling the UK obesity crisis, something which the government is looking at, with his full support

He says: “I have dedicated my career within the reduced calorie alcohol market and now they are finally listening

“I asked the question: why does a zero calorie bottle of water need a comprehensive nutritional table but a 300+ calorie bottle of beer not?

“Listening to the younger and health conscious consumers will improve the life balance our society has with alcohol This will change the industry for the good and those big brands scared of telling consumers what is in their beers, wines or spirits will need to re think and align to a new strategy