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Graham’s Family Dairy lead Scottish farmers & Scottish government discussions PlatformSupermarket.com Launches Oil-Free Access Equipment for Food Industry
Food and Drink: How Packaging Can Pave the Way Toward Eco Progress Writing it right: how to draft a robust HACCP plan
How the Internet of Things is enhancing the contract catering industry
Editors Note
Welcome to the latest issue of Food & Drink Manufacturing UK Magazine.
Hot on the heels of a busy month for exhibitions in September, we hope that our readers enjoyed great success at both, London Packaging Week and the PPMA show in Birmingham. With potential new suppliers and clients in attendance, both events provided excellent opportunities for networking.
In this issue, we have a piece by Jacques Cannon, Director at CCS McLays, a leading UK company in outsourced consumables. Jacques speaks about the important role that having partnerships with suppliers with sustainable environmental goals can play in the manufacturing supply chain and the sales benefits that go with them.
We hope you enjoy this issue and as always, if you have any news that you would like to feature, please email details to editorial@fdm-uk.co.uk
Every
Paul Attwood Editor
HCC Scholar seeks to change the reputation of the suckler cow
It has been announced that William Powell from Crossgates, Llandrindod Wells is the recipient of the 2024 HCC Scholarship.
William, who works on the family farm, will focus his study on the suckler cow sector and plans to visit the USA.
HCC has been offering this annual scholarship for over twenty years to applicants who are employed on a fulltime basis within the Welsh red meat industry. The Scholarship allows them to study an aspect of production or processing in a country of their choice with recent examples looking at topics such as techno grazing, conservation management and anthelmintic usage on sheep farms around the world.
We are delighted to announce
William as this year’s HCC Scholar.
James Ruggeri, Industry Development Executive at HCC was a member of the interview panel, and said: “We are delighted to announce William as this year’s HCC Scholar. He impressed the panel with his passion for the red meat sector, and his eagerness to learn more. I have no doubt that he will be a great ambassador for the beef sector in Wales, at a time when the industry
Ribena blackcurrant farms are biodiversity havens for 15 declining red list bird species
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I), the proud producer of Ribena and UK’s third biggest soft drinks manufacturer, is leveraging AI technology to reveal a remarkable story of biodiversity across a number of its blackcurrant farms this harvest season. The project – in partnership with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) South West – reveals the presence of a range of threatened bird species across hedgerows, woodland and grasslands.
Analysing the birdsong across these blackcurrant farms, the project is helping to demonstrate how farm stewardship can go hand in hand with wildlife protection as part of SBF GB&I’s broader commitment to improving biodiversity and
supporting its growers as they respond to climate change.
The project uses AI analysis and recording technology in various habitats on five farms to collect quantitative data on key species over an average period of 48 days across the year. On average, each farm boasted 58 different species, with the most diverse farm hosting 63 species.
Among the 83 species recorded were 15 UK red list birds and 17 from the amber list, including priority species such as the bullfinch, and the skylark, whose recent and dramatic decline – down by 63% since 1967 –has led to the species landing on the red list.
This bioacoustic monitoring initiative builds upon SBF GB&I’s
is under threat from new regulation, ongoing TB issues and misconceptions about red meat production.”
William’s aspirations for the future include increasing the efficiency of his own suckler herd. “I aim to do this by utilizing the best genetics available worldwide to improve feed efficiency and the sustainability of the business. I’m keen to start using genomics to help make better breeding decisions rather than relying on chance, and hope that my experiences in the USA will help guide me in the right direction,” he said.
“I am very much looking forward to the experience and to reporting back on my findings to farming groups in Wales on my return.”
On average, each farm boasted 58 different species, with the most diverse farm hosting 63 species.
Farm Stewardship Scheme, a programme successfully implemented in partnership with FWAG South West. This scheme, which covers 34 growers across Great Britain, has consistently delivered environmental improvements to blackcurrant farms through its ‘Six Point Plan’ (6PP).
The 6PP enhances key farmland habitats and species protection by focusing on hedgerows, grass buffers, green headlands, farmland birds, pollen and nectar sources, and mature trees.
This comprehensive approach aims to create more resilient farms in the face of climate change and extreme weather, while aligning with national environmental policies.
Food safety inspection backlog can be solved with remote inspections, says mpro5
Restaurants and caterers can be monitored remotely with the integration of process management platforms.
The UK is in a food safety crisis, suffering from an alarming backlog of food safety investigations, with a number of restaurants not being visited for inspection since 2021.
In July, an analysis of the Food Standards Agency’s external records showed that 47% of eateries in the South Hams district, 44% in Plymouth and nearly 20% in Cornwall, have had no inspection in three years.
In Bristol, one in ten food businesses have not been inspected in over two years, with 226 not being inspected by the FSA since 2022.
BBC data has demonstrated that 19% of inspected food businesses in the United Kingdom have failed to have a follow-up hygiene inspection since 2021.
With the recent E.coli outbreaks that led to 120 hospitalisations, local councils must propose a resolution to the backlog.
One being the integration of process management platforms which
provide the real-time data necessary to analyse and inspect compliance remotely.
The backlog of food hygiene inspections poses a serious risk to public health, with local councils unable to be certain whether catering establishments are following food safety regulations.
Following the climax of the COVID-19 pandemic over a year ago, regional councils must remain vigilant in their inspections and benefit, wherever possible, from establishments that have adopted process management platforms.
Events & Awards News
Graham’s Family Dairy spearhead discussions between Scottish farmers and Scottish government
Graham’s Family Dairy has hosted a pivotal meeting between the Scottish Government and key stakeholders in the dairy industry, focusing on sustainability in farming and the path to achieving net-zero emissions.
Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, attended the meeting on the 14 August which was initiated by the dairy’s Sustainability Manager with the aim of giving Graham’s’ farmers and producers a platform to voice their views on the challenges and opportunities in the quest for sustainable farming practices.
The attendees were made up of Graham’s Family Dairy farmers and producers, spanning from the north east to the west coast, who came together to hold constructive discussions with the MSP about the future of sustainability for Scottish Farming. The meet gave attendees the opportunity to hear from a mix of people from a farming background about the challenges and barriers the industry is facing when trying to reach the Scottish Government’s ambitious net zero targets responsibly.
Discussions during the meeting explored innovative approaches to sustainability, streamlined processes, and the necessary support mechanisms that could drive meaningful progress across the sector.
As Scotland continues its journey towards net-zero emissions, Graham’s Family Dairy remains committed to leading by example, supporting its farmers, and ensuring a sustainable future for the wider dairy industry.
Pea and Bean Growers Association Gains Industry Backing for Biennial Conference
Thursday 7th November 2024
Location: Jakeman Stadium, Boston United Football Club
Plans for the 2024 Pea and Bean Conference are well underway and we are thrilled to welcome guests to the event on 7th November 2024, at the Jakeman Stadium at Boston United Football Club. The biennial event is an opportunity for industry leaders and experts to gather and discuss the latest developments, trends and challenges for the vining pea and bean industry.
The Pea and Bean Growers Association (PBGA) are delighted to announce that Hutchinsons are the Main Conference sponsor. Hutchinsons, who are crop protection specialists, offer
comprehensive and flexible services to suit every client’s needs, with all their services designed to meet the evolving crop management demands and fully tailorable to suit individual circumstances.
For more information on the conference or to sponsor or exhibit, please contact us: admin@britishgrowers.org
Tickets are now on sale for the conference and pre-conference dinner. Discount is available on conference tickets for members of the Pea and Bean Growers Association, contact admin@ britishgrowers.org for your discount code: UK Pea & Bean Conference 2024 Tickets, Thu 7 Nov 2024 at 09:30 | Eventbrite
Sweet contract for Hart
Hart Door Systems has clinched a large order from a major UK producer of Syrup for a varied range of Hart’s industrial doors.
Doug Hart, Hart’s chairman, says the order covers a wide range of Hart’s doors from its Speedor Cleanroom and Speedor Mini doors to high-speed insulated roller shutters, pedestrian doors and fire shutters.
“This is a significant order across Hart’s product range. Being able to deliver doors from one manufacturer, as well as our acknowledged installation and service delivery as a single source of supply, were key to our success,” says Mr Hart.
“Our ability to advise the client throughout the time-sensitive project, which involved the client relocating to new premises, was also important in Hart’s success.”
Mr Hart adds: “This was the wide-ranging package from a single supplier, involving over 40 doors, finished in food-grade paint where appropriate. Brian Woodcock, our regional sales manager for the Midlands/South West, advised throughout.
“It is a clear message that Hart is a market leader which has the ability to take on complex projects and deliver a first-class service every time using doors from our comprehensive range such as Hart’s Speedor high speed doors to roller shutters such as our Typhoon and Terror Screen range and more.
“In particular it was important that our Speedor Cleanroom was part of this project as it is designed to work in strictly controlled environments where high hygiene standards are required including protection against dust and dirt for example.
“The fast opening and closing feature helps to control airflow, reducing contaminants as a result,” says Mr Hart.
www.hartdoors.com sales: +44 (0)191 214 0404
DOORS READY FOR ACTION
British design and manufacture, wide range of models covering high security, large doors with high wind resistance (3,000 to 5,000 pascals), fire and high speed automation with systems’ interface. One stop door shop for new installation and/or repairs and maintenance.
Campden BRI makes major investment in domestic wine industry
Campden BRI has announced a major boost for English and Welsh wine makers with the opening of a dedicated wine laboratory and tasting centre in Guildford.
The new Campden Wine Services Laboratory, based at the state-of-theart Surrey Research Park, represents a significant investment in the rapidly expanding domestic wine industry
Yorkshire’s Saltaire Brewery focuses on becoming the leading craft beer across the UK’s pubs this summer
Saltaire Brewery, renowned for creating exceptional, awardwinning brews embarks on a bold mission to elevate its presence in the craft beer scene, following a strategic acquisition by Paramount Retail Group (PRG).
From Yorkshire Roots to Nationwide Recognition
Buoyed by its recent acquisition by PRG, Saltaire Brewery is at the beginning of an exciting expansion
which will see the Brewery widen its beer offerings this Summer and beyond.
Since 2006, Saltaire has established itself as favourite brewer in Yorkshire, and now beer enthusiasts across the country can soon expect to find the brewery’s exceptional beer in pubs and restaurants across the country.
Brewing a Bright Future
Backed by PRG’s expertise and resources, Saltaire is poised to become
and will support UK wine makers and international wineries exporting to the UK market.
To provide industry-leading expertise
Campden has recruited two sector heavyweights: senior analytical chemist Robert Pride and industry development and technical manager Dr Gregory Dunn. Both men are highly regarded in the wine industry.
Prior to recently joining Campden BRI, Pride was area manager for Endeavour Drinks Group. He completed a BSc in Forensic and Analytical chemistry at Flinders University, Australia before joining the country’s wine industry, where he has held technical positions for the last 12 years. A former deputy editor for the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, Dunn previously headed the wine division at Plumpton College, East Sussex, the only UK facility that trains oenologists and viticulturists at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
The launch of the Wine Services Laboratory builds on the strategic partnership which the UK’s leading food science company established with the Australian Wine Research Institute in the Spring of 2023. As well as the recent announcement that Campden BRI has become WineGB’s new scientific and technical partner.
Buoyed
by its recent acquisition by PRG, Saltaire Brewery is at the beginning of an exciting expansion which will see the Brewery widen its beer offerings this Summer and beyond.
a major player in the UK craft beer industry. As the brewery embarks on this exciting new chapter, it is resolved to continue to innovate, experiment with flavours, and deliver
Industry body WineGB
has recently released data that enough grapes were picked in 2023 to make 22 million bottles of wine.
With the new lab now open UK wine makers will be able to access an extended range of services provided by well-qualified lab staff covering the full spectrum of scientific solutions to simple and complex wine problems. A set of official opening events are scheduled for late August, when all sectors of the UK wine industry will be able to tour the facility and talk with staff.
The move comes as British wine producers enjoy a boom. Industry body WineGB has recently released data that enough grapes were picked in 2023 to make 22 million bottles of wine. This is up 68% on Britain’s previous record harvest of 2018, when enough grapes for 13.1 million bottles were picked.
the exceptional quality that’s made it a Yorkshire icon.
Crafting Excellence in Every Pint
At Saltaire Brewery, quality is the foundation of every beer, and the brewery’s flagship offerings highlight its commitment to innovation and excellence:
• Blonde: a crisp ale that captivates taste buds with subtle spice and soft malt flavours
• South Island Pale Ale: a hoppy drop inspired by New Zealandstyle pale ales
• Triple Choc: Created in collaboration with Montezuma’s, it’s the world’s best chocolate beer (World Beer Awards, 2021), setting a new bar for rich, indulgent brews
Scottish seaweed chips brand SHORE secures six-figure deal and
announces four national listings in more than 200 stores
SHORE The Scottish Seaweed Co. (SHORE) celebrates a significant milestone this summer.
The Wick-based firm’s seaweed chips are now available in more than 200 supermarkets across Scotland, bringing their unique snacks to more customers.
This expansion marks a new chapter in the business’ mission to deliver great-tasting, healthier, and planet-
friendly snacks to a wider audience across the nation.
SHORE are thrilled to announce that two of their seaweed chips flavours, Sweet Sriracha and Lightly Salted 80g share bags, will now appear on shelves in 48 Tesco Scotland stores.
The listing follows a successful limited-time promotional fixture in the store giant earlier in the year. Additionally, SHORE has secured a long-term listing at Morrisons, with products now available in 46 stores. The firm has also entered a threemonth promotional deal with Asda for the summer period, reaching 63 Asda superstores across the country.
Furthermore, SHORE has expanded its distribution footprint in the UK with a new listing at the nation’s largest outdoor store brand, Go Outdoors. This deal will see SHORE’s share bag chips available in 60 Go Outdoors stores nationwide.
SHORE is already stocked in Sainsbury’s and Scottish Co-op stores year-round. The brand was launched in 2020 and has sold more than two million bags of chips to date.
Ravenwood Unveils Anti-Reflection and Deep Learning Tech for VXR
Ravenwood has unveiled Anti-Reflection and Deep Learning technologies for its VXR vision pack inspection system. This announcement comes on the heels of the recent integration of a seal contamination detection system.
Both software applications analyse pre-print and linerless labels on packaging. The new Anti-Reflection technology minimises glare and reflections on flow wrap packs, while Deep Learning enhances optical character recognition by accurately decoding diverse font styles, including inkjet dot matrix fonts.
Anti-Reflection and Deep Learning are both adaptable for retrofitting into existing Vision systems in the field. For new machine orders, Deep Learning is now included as a standard feature, while Anti-Reflection is offered as an optional addition.
Anti Reflection
Many meat packers have transitioned from MAP to flow wrap style packaging. This shift is driven by several advantages: reduced material usage, lighter pack weight, lower energy consumption, extended product shelf life, and improved recyclability.
While the overall benefits of flow wrap packaging surpass those of MAP, the high reflectivity of flow wrap presents challenges in capturing reliable pack images with standard imaging methods.
To solve this issue, Ravenwood has developed a novel method for reducing the effect of glare and reflection during the imaging process. Supplied as an optional extra, the process is a combination of improved image processing software combined with an enhanced method of illumination. Standard packs can still be inspected as usual.
Deep Learning
Inkjet printers often generate low-quality date codes, and conventional optical recognition software can prove unreliable reading these codes, thus leading to unnecessary pack rejections and contributing significantly to food waste that could otherwise be prevented.
Ravenwood is addressing this issue with advanced Deep Learning technology powered by HALCON software. The improved optical character recognition can eliminate background images, a feat traditional OCR could not achieve. This new software is userfriendly and requires less operator programming, as fonts do not need to be manually taught as required with older methods. It intelligently ignores certain
fonts or text below a specific height, such as Julian date codes and line identification codes. The software has been successfully integrated into existing Ravenwood VXR machines at multiple customer sites.
Meeting the Evolving Needs of the Food Industry
Ravenwood is continuously exploring innovative ways to refine and enhance its X-ray inspection and vision technologies. This ongoing evolution is essential to meet industry demands, comply with regulatory requirements, and stay abreast of technological advancements for meeting superior standards of safety and efficiency.
For further information on Anti-Reflection and Deep Learning including seal contamination detection, please contact Marketing on +44(0)1284 749144.
Innovative Liquid Flow Measurement Solutions
Titan is a leading design and manufacturer of innovative end user and OEM high-performance flow meters, used within a wide range of environments and applications.
• Compact, robust, reliable
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• Measure low to high flow ranges
• High chemical resistance
• OEM bespoke design capability
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Turbine Flowmeters
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Processing, Measurements & Control
OPTIMASS series – Coriolis mass flowmeters with Bluetooth® communication
• The outstanding features of OPTIMASS flowmeters such as continuous operation even with entrained gas of up to 100%, have now been extended by easy wireless operation
Processing, Measurements & Control
Critical temperature monitoring, made simple by a trusted data loggers’ manufacturer
Good food safety starts with temperature data.
Accurate and reliable temperature data is essential for the integrity of the food industry and the safety of consumers.
Tinytag Data Loggers are robust, reliable and highly accurate measuring devices for monitoring temperature and humidity during food processing, storage and cold chain distribution.
Tinytag use simple technology that’s easy-to-use, easy-to-manage and conveniently versatile to help businesses gather vital temperature data at every stage of the food supply chain.
Improve temperature management
Tinytags can aid quality and food safety inspections (including compliance with HACCP regulations) by providing evidence of conditions that’s easyto-read and readily available in userfriendly data logging software, Tinytag Explorer.
Monitoring with data loggers can indicate the need to replace old or faulty equipment, stabilise temperature conditions in refrigerated areas or improve insulation in packaging, helping you to streamline product storage.
Save energy, save money
Temperature data loggers can help to identify the efficiency of heating and cooling equipment, helping businesses to pinpoint where to save energy and save money across their operation.
Data you can trust
Tinytag data loggers bring over three decades of manufacturing experience from an ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited UK manufacturer, Gemini Data Loggers UK Ltd.
Certifiable instrument accuracy through our in-house Calibration Service that’s traceable to National Standards means you can put extra trust in the reliability of your data – and prove it to auditors.
Reliable Monitoring from Production to Consumption
Versatile data logging: portable data loggers
Compact, portable and easy-to-use Tinytag data loggers (temperature, relative humidity and energy consumption) provide a flexible solution for monitoring food processing and cold chain compliance. Tinytags are battery-powered, self-contained devices and have configurable LED alarms for notifying temperature breaches.
Reliable Wireless Temperature and Humidity Monitoring
The Tinytag Connect system of Radio and LAN (Ethernet) data loggers brings you convenient wireless temperature and relative humidity monitoring at an affordable price and is ideal for use in warehouses and refrigerated storage and distribution, where central data management presents a significant –time-saving – advantage. Mix-and-match Radio and LAN loggers according to infrastructure requirements, get real-time data access and receive email alerts when temperatures are out of range to take fast corrective actions.
Data logging software for enhanced security and data integrity compliance
Tinytag DI is the secure software for Tinytag data loggers. With Tinytag DI, you can control who has access to your data loggers by managing user access levels. You may also set up groups according to location or department to assign data loggers to the relevant teams. An audit log ensures accurate and consistent data, providing a record of critical events and any changes made to the loggers.
Further information: www.geminidataloggers.com
Case Study
ICS Cool Energy Supports Camerons Brewery’s Festival Success with Cold Store Hire
Efficient cold storage container from ICS Cool Energy ensures smooth beer service for Camerons Brewery.
Camerons Brewery Ltd., the largest independent brewer in the North East of England, partnered with ICS Cool Energy to secure a reliable cold storage solution for a recent music festival, ensuring a smooth experience for both customers and the service team.
Challenge
For four consecutive years, Camerons Brewery has played an important role in a prominent festival, setting up the main bar and keeping beer and drinks chilled for attendees. Previously, Camerons relied on cold storage vans from a different provider, which ceased operations. As Camerons Brewery sought new options, they encountered difficulties with other suppliers due to restrictive hire terms and limited service areas.
“We were in a tight spot when our previous cold storage provider shut down. We quickly needed a solution that could meet our specific requirements without the complications we faced with other companies,” said Simon Ritson, brand ambassador for Camerons Brewery Ltd.
Solution
ICS Cool Energy stepped in to fill this gap by offering a Cold Store container tailored to Camerons Brewery’s needs. Following a prompt discussion over the phone, ICS Cool Energy arranged for a unit to be delivered, positioned on-site, and ready for immediate use.
“ICS Cool Energy’s responsiveness was impressive. They confirmed our needs over the phone and had their unit delivered and set up without any hassle, right on time” noted Simon Ritson. “The cold store container turned out to be more spacious than we anticipated, which gave us additional flexibility and storage capacity.”
ICS Cool Energy temperaturecontrolled containers are available in 10ft, 20ft and 40ft length and feature tried and tested refrigeration technology from Thermo King, a leader in transport temperature control solutions. The units can be plugged in the 360-500 Volt 50 or 60 Hz power supply to ensure cold or frozen temperatures in the container.
Designed originally for global, seagoing reefer applications, ICS Cool Energy containers are equipped with features that make them suitable as static cold stores. They are washable with wash down drains, have man trapped person alarms, lighting inside emergency escape release and conform to B.R.C. audit standards.
Results
ICS Cool Energy’s cold store container provided ample space and maintained the desired temperature control, ensuring the beer was stored at the right temperature throughout the festival, with no dispensing issues. The unit’s capability to handle high
ambient temperatures and frequent door openings proved essential for the festival environment.
“ICS Cool Energy made the entire process easy, from delivery to collection. Everything went smoothly, and we plan to use them for future events. Their reliability was crucial for us, and it ensured our customers enjoyed their experience at the festival,” concluded Simon Ritson.
For more information on ICS Cool Energy complete process temperature control solutions, please visit www.icscoolenergy.com/.
Process improvement is like cycling. Everything runs more efficiently with the right partner.
Energy optimization is the key to sustainable production. As a strong partner for strategic energy management, we help you cope with rising energy costs and tighter environmental targets. We are at your side –uncovering the ways to save and be resourceful while maintaining safety, quality, reliability, and uptime.
PlatformSupermarket.com Launches Oil-Free Access Equipment for Food Industry
A new brand designed to streamline the sourcing of oil-free powered access platforms has launched this week, backed by leading UK powered access firm, Horizon Platforms.
PlatformSupermarket.com will be a Dingli Authorised End User Dealer and is set to transform how food manufacturing and processing businesses procure and manage their access equipment.
Customers will gain access to hundreds of cutting-edge platforms, as well as all-electric machines known for their efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Hydraulic oil-free scissor lifts are particularly well-suited for the food manufacturing sector, eliminating the risk of contamination from oil spills. Additionally, these platforms feature sealed, maintenance-free batteries that reduce daily upkeep which allow them to be stored in open product areas (BRC Clause 4.6.7).
An added benefit is that these platforms don’t require daily fluid to ups, removing daily maintenance
An added benefit is that these platforms don’t require daily fluid to ups, removing daily maintenance tasks.
tasks. They are also the most efficient platforms on the market with increased operational efficiency requiring less frequent charging ultimately saving on energy costs.
PlatformSupermarket.com will offer a holistic support service that spans from purchase to aftercare. Services will include outright purchases, hire purchase, contract hire, and partexchange deals on machinery that enable users to work safely at height.
Supported by Horizon Platforms, a 15 year old business and first in the industry to become employee-owned, PlatformSupermarket.com will have the same team of service engineers and
IPAF driver/demonstrators. Bespoke aftercare packages include regular servicing, breakdown support, and comprehensive LOLER examinations.
The firm also offers IPAF training through their dedicated training centre, ensuring users are well-equipped to operate safely. As part of Horizon Platforms, Platform Supermarket holds all the same accreditations including triple ISO and Ecovadis Silver rating.
Rory Duggan, Director, PlatformSupermarket.com, comments: “We understand those working in food processing and manufacturing need access to safe and effective ways of working at height, often at a moment’s notice. Our customers are busy people with multiple projects and tasks running simultaneously, so we’ve centred our offering around making that decision process for the right machines simple and efficient. The range of Hydraulic Oil-Free scissors we have selected are highly suited to the food manufacturing industry as they eliminate the risk of an oil spill or hose leaking and contaminating the production area. This could mean significant downtime and contaminated produce. The feedback so far has been outstanding.”
To celebrate their launch, PlatformSupermarket.com are giving away a 3 -year contract hire of a brand new Dingli 0807PA oil-free scissor lift, worth £11,500.
Enter here: https://resources. horizonplatforms.co.uk/ platformsupermarketscissor-lift-competition
View the entire range of new and approved platforms including pricing to buy, lease or contract hire, by visiting: platformsupermarket.com
Rory Duggan
Release
Industrial
Packaging News
DS Smith collaborates with Versuni on sustainable fibre-based packaging solution for Philips Baristina
DS Smith, leading fibre-based sustainable packaging company, has partnered with Versuni, a leading home appliance company, to create an innovative fibre-based packaging solution for the Philips Baristina coffee machine.
The fibre-based packaging solution is made from materials that are recycled and recyclable. Additionally, there are no plastic bags within the box. The packaging also features corrugated buffers treated with an innovative anti-scratch coating that has been applied to prevent external blemishes.
The bespoke packaging concept was expertly designed by both DS Smith and the Versuni Experience Design teams to create a striking ‘unboxing’ experience with the coffee machine prominently displayed at the centre for consumers to see immediately. Consumers can easily see and identify the bold and visual arresting artwork of the product on the retail shelf or online.
Thoran Ottens, Divisional Key Account Manager, Electronics, DS Smith: “We are proud of the sustainable fibre-based packaging solution. Consumer trends and expectations are fast moving and in keeping with desires for sustainable packaging we designed this product solution with an objective to create a high-end visual impact for the shelf and online.
DS Smith applied their unique industry-first Circular Design Metrics (CDM) tool to measure the overall performance and environmental impacts of the packaging solution for Versuni’s Philips Baristina coffee machine.
The tool enables DS Smith designers to rate the impact of a packaging design across eight key performance indicators, including recyclability, renewable content, and supply chain optimisation. These areas give a clear indication of a packaging design’s sustainability performance and on where to focus attention.
DS Smith is committed to a company-wide purpose of Redefining Packaging for a Changing World as a part of its Now and Next sustainability strategy.
Graphic Packaging and Moy Park Help Sainsbury’s Deliver on Its “Plan for Better” Sustainability Goals
Graphic Packaging International, a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, and prominent food company Moy Park have created a game-changing new paperboard packaging solution, delivering a significant plastic reduction for UK retailer Sainsbury’s.
The innovative PaperSeal™ Shape paperboard tray can now be found on-shelf across Sainsbury’s range of private-label breaded chicken products.
The trays use 72 to 82 percent less plastic per tray (depending on pack size), removing approximately 300 metric tons of plastic from the supply chain each year, clearly reflecting the retailer’s commitment to its ‘Plan for Better’.
Developed in partnership with G. Mondini, a world leader in tray sealing technology, PaperSeal Shape’s patented double sealing flange and rigid construction delivers a hermetic seal for the modified atmosphere trays, delivering an equivalent shelf life to the plastic tray it has replaced.
Easy curbside recyclability of the tray by consumers is assured as the tray contains less than 10 percent plastic by total pack weight, meeting On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme guidelines in the UK.
Celebration Packaging’s new easy to use zero-touch wooden cutlery dispensers are filled with premium wooden single-use cutlery – delivering a perfect combination of hygiene, convenience and sustainability.
“This is the world’s most hygienic zerotouch wooden cutlery dispenser,” says Celebration Packaging Managing Director Nick Burton. “For end-users, there are no levers or buttons to press, as they simply pull the cutlery handle from the dispenser. This creates a sanitary dispensing solution, significantly reducing the chance of contamination by bacteria, germs, and viruses, which is common with traditional open cutlery trays and pots. Meanwhile, operators have absolutely zero contact with the cutlery when filling the dispenser, which totally prevents cross-contamination.”
These disposable wooden cutlery dispensers prevent wastage and over-consumption, as customers only pick the items they are going to use, rather than taking – and touching –multiple items. Ideal for self-service areas, takeaway and QSR outlets, food kiosks, food courts, service stations and stadiums, the unit has a small footprint when placed on counters, or it can also be wall or stand mounted.
Item Products, Europe’s largest designer and producer of recycled plastic components for the packaging and pointof-sale industry, has recently supplied Britvic Soft Drinks with a carry handle solution for their Robinsons 1.75L twin bottle pack assigned to the wholesaler, Costco.
Made from 100% recycled material, the handle is able to carry the twin bottle pack securely by the collar. Once at home with the consumer, the plastic handle can be simply added to the domestic waste recycling system.
Adam Horvath,
packaging development manager at Britvic plc,
said: “Working closely with the packaging development and procurement teams here at Britvic, Item Products set out timetables for the design, models, tooling, testing and approval of samples through to full UK manufacturing.
“The end result ticked all Britvic’s ‘must have’ needs and was delivered on schedule and to specification first time.”
“We are delighted to provide a solution for Britvic,” said Item Products’ managing director, Julian Cook. “Being able to facilitate their requirement for a UK manufactured carry handle solution has helped to significantly cut their lead times and reduce transport costs. The added benefit of producing the handle in a universal black colour enables Britvic
For operators, the high-quality, robust and aesthetically pleasing dispenser is designed to be easy to maintain as the transparent housing shows the cutlery level, and it is purely mechanical with no power or batteries required.
Easy to use and maintain
To load the hygienically packed factorysealed cutlery refill pack, simply open the flap, press the red button and pull out the cartridge. The refill pack of knives, forks or spoons can then be placed in the corresponding cartridge and the tape tab pulled off and the bag removed. Pull the trigger to release the first piece of cutlery, press the red button and push the cartridge back into the dispenser, which is now ready to use. Simple.
Wooden cutlery is 100% natural and the perfect alternative to the now banned single-use plastic cutlery.
The dispensers are easily branded, creating an unmissable opportunity for operators wanting to advertise their brand or announce special promotions or events.
celebration.co.uk
www.packagingfood2go.co.uk
to remove the need for specific masterbatch, allowing the device to be used across multiple brands.”
Item Products designs and produces a unique range of components for the packaging industry, including carry handles for cartons, connecting clips for corrugated board, hooks, studs and rivets for merchandising units, wheels and stabilisers for big or heavy packs, garment rails for wardrobe boxes and stackable trays.
Packaging
Food and Drink: How Packaging Can Pave the Way Toward Eco Progress
For companies looking to improve their sustainability, focusing on packaging is essential. In the UK, approximately 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging are thrown away per year – including plenty of food and drink packaging from ready meals to vegetable wrappers.
In a world where climate change is on the rise, sticking to your corporate environmental responsibilities is essential to help improve the impact of your products on the environment.
Jacques Cannon, Director at CCS McLays says: “More companies are looking towards their environmental responsibilities, from avoiding greenwashing in their messaging to improving transportation emissions. So, we take pleasure in being in a position to help clients and their specific sustainability goals through the provision of packaging products that aim to be less detrimental to our planet.”
Partnerships with sustainable suppliers
Jacques Cannon stresses that: “Finding the right supplier for you is crucial when it comes to all your environmental considerations. You’ll want to build a partnership with a supplier who understands the need for eco-friendly packaging and transport within your industry, alongside the right expertise to ensure that packaging products demonstrate innovation where possible, that they are fit for purpose and that they ultimately, help enhance your ability to sell your core product(s) to consumers.”
Partnerships with suppliers who align with your environmental goals can make these steps a bit easier. Instead of undertaking it alone as a
company, your supplier can make it a joint effort. Knowing you can rely on your supplier to create packaging to the environmental standards as high as possible is essential to avoid complications, regulatory problems, and even greenwashing claims.
By way of an example, CCS McLays have demonstrated a valuable service provision to long-standing client, Wasabi. Since beginning trading with the Japanese sushi and bento brand in 2018, CCS McLays helped Wasabi eradicate single-use plastic bags and non-plastic lids and instead Wasabi are now in a position where all packaging products are recyclable. Additionally, in line with government legislation on single-use plastics, CCS McLays also replaced all plastic cutlery with wood and paper disposables.
Looking ahead, the team at CCS McLays are also excited to remove plastic away from the ready meal market after designing a paper dual ovenable bowl for Wasabi that is recyclable after consumer use. These products are due to launch throughout Sainsburys and Tesco within the UK later on this year.
Recyclable materials
Choosing the right materials for your products is essential. In an industry where reducing packaging is paramount, finding a supplier who understands your regulations is crucial for your customers. Shifting away from single-use plastics and towards more sustainable methods can be a great way of opening your products up to a more sustainable approach without compromising style, taste, or sanitation.
You might also consider creating a closed-loop system for your packaging and products. Whether you’re offering soft drink cans, coffee pods or ready meals, being able to recycle and reuse the packaging on your food and drink can contribute to a better environmental campaign.
Raising awareness through packaging
Eco-packaging is a great way to start getting your customers thinking about sustainability. By adding sustainable messaging to your packaging, you can encourage others to think about how they’re treating their food and drink products, where they’re placing their packaging, and even opt for companies that are providing sustainable options over companies that don’t within a buying situation.
With 60% of customers claiming they’d rather buy from a company with sustainable options, it can both be beneficial for the environment and your sales to investigate ways of improving your packaging.
Food and drink is an essential part of everyone’s lives. At some point every day, we come into contact with some form of food packaging. By incorporating your sustainable measures into your packaging design, you can encourage your customers to buy into a closed-loop system, recycle more, or even consider their own impact on the environment. However, finding the right supplier with the right expertise to maintain your high-quality product standards is a must in this transition.
Website: ccsmclays.co.uk
ENTER THE WORLD OF SUSTAINABILITY
MAKING BETTER BOTTLES… AND MAKING A BETTER TOMORROW
Enter the world of sustainability at Croxsons. We are pushing forward with eco-friendly initiatives to make a positive difference. We continuously invest in lowering our environmental impact at every stage of our process, including distribution and delivery. We can all play our part in a better tomorrow, so join us on our journey today.
Watch our sustainability animation here:
For more information visit www.croxsons.com
The Importance of Food Grade Packaging
Health and safety is paramount when it comes to food-grade packaging. Strict regulations, testing procedures and packaging codes are in place from the very start of the manufacturing process to ensure that ready-prepared food is safe for consumption when it reaches the consumer.
What Makes Packaging Food Grade?
To be certified as food-grade, packaging must meet several key criteria:
1. Material Stability: It must be made from inert materials that do not react with food. Some plastics, like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are preferred because they are chemically stable and do not degrade or leach chemicals into food.
2. Fit-for-Purpose: The packaging must be suitable for its intended use, especially for shipping or storage. Rigid packaging offers the best puncture resistance and protection for bulk shipping.
3. Non-Toxic: The packaging must not contain toxic coatings, dyes, or additives. For instance, a metal jerry can be designed for fuel and cannot be used for drinking water because its internal coating is toxic and soluble in water.
4. Certified: Packaging must meet regulatory standards set by authorities like the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Certified packaging is marked with a glass and fork symbol, indicating its suitability for food and beverage use. The BRC Global Certified scheme ensures manufacturers and suppliers adhere to proper safety standards.
5. Sealable: Food packaging must be sealable to ensure contents remain safe during transit. Features like tamper-evident tabs, heat seals, and snap caps help maintain the integrity of the packaging.
Food Grade vs. Food Safe
While “food grade” refers to materials that are safe for food contact, “food safe” refers to the finished product. For a product to be food-safe, it must be made from food-grade materials and be fit for its specific purpose, considering factors like temperature, contact duration, and cleanability.
The Three Types of Food Packaging
Primary Packaging
Primary packaging directly contacts the product and must be made from certified food-grade materials. It includes both flexible and rigid types. Soft packaging, like mesh fruit bags and shrink-wraps, often requires additional packaging for safe transit.
Secondary Packaging
Secondary packaging serves as an additional layer, like a cereal box, which includes branding and nutritional information. The primary packaging, such as a plastic bag, protects the product, while the secondary layer promotes it.
Tertiary Packaging
Tertiary packaging, also known as shipping or transit packaging, ensures the safe transportation of goods. Made from materials like cardboard or shrink wrap, protect the product during transit. This type of packaging aids in efficient and safe handling, often using pallets and plastic wrap to standardise units for easier transport.
Flexible vs Rigid Packaging
Flexible Packaging
Flexible packaging includes soft plastics, paper, and foil. It’s lightweight and malleable, used to seal and protect the contents from oxidation, moisture, and contamination. While excellent for extending shelf life and preserving produce, its thin nature offers minimal
physical protection, requiring stronger secondary containers for safe shipping.
Rigid Packaging
Rigid packaging is made from hard materials like metal, glass, and plastic and provides the highest level of protection. It includes a wide variety of containers, including buckets, bottles, jerry cans, jars, and cans. This type of packaging is ideal for bulk shipping and storage to ensure that the contents remain safe and intact.
Plastic buckets are one of the most versatile types of rigid packaging. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colours. Clear 1-litre buckets are popular for popcorn, candyfloss, and sweets because they showcase the product and also protect it, while larger sizes are great for wholesale use.
Functions of Food Packaging
Food packaging serves multiple purposes:
• Protection: It must keep the contents safe and fit for consumption, balancing costeffectiveness with the necessary protection.
• Preservation: Proper packaging extends shelf life by protecting against environmental factors like oxygen, moisture, and contamination.
• Promotion: Packaging also plays a role in marketing, attracting buyers and building brand recognition through design and labelling.
• Regulatory Compliance: Packaging must display required information such as product name, expiration date, warnings, allergens, net quantity, ingredients, and origin.
Food-grade packaging is essential in ensuring the safety, quality, and longevity of food products. Adhering to strict standards and regulations helps maintain consumer trust and promotes food safety from production to consumption.
Website: invopak.co.uk
Packaging News
Ravenwood and QUOR: Advanced Inline Label Verification and Reporting
Automated, paperless and verifiable pack inspection that runs seamlessly without causing stoppages on the packaging line.
Leading pack verification specialist, Ravenwood Packaging and quality management system front runners,
QUOR, have partnered to deliver unparalleled integrated label inspection technology. Ravenwood’s Vision system along with QUOR’s paperless factory reporting solution ensures brand owners and retailers can have complete confidence in the accuracy and quality of food labelling.
QUOR’s paperless quality management system can digitise all operational data for enabling seamless collaboration between its operators and the Ravenwood Vision system. The Vision will check for the correct label, its orientation and position, including analysing printed data such as use-by dates, barcodes (including 2D) and flash labels. With top and bottom cameras in place for comprehensive pack and label inspections, inline checks are performed without interruptions,
Graphic Packaging International and Zelestra sign agreement to add renewable electricity to the European grid
Graphic Packaging International, a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, today announced it has entered into a virtual Power Purchase Agreement in Europe with Zelestra, a client-focused, multi-technology, global renewable energy company.
The vPPA supports Zelestra in adding renewable electricity to the European power grid and advances Graphic Packaging’s commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by receiving renewable energy attribute certificates generated by the project.
The renewable electricity generated by two of Zelestra’s solar projects to be built in Spain – José Cabrera and Socovos
II – will have a combined total capacity of 83 megawatts (MWdc). Graphic Packaging expects to receive renewable energy attribute certificates corresponding to approximately 86 percent of the solar projects’ output.
The agreement is a strategic component in achieving Graphic Packaging’s science-based target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50.4 percent by 2032. It will increase the Company’s purchased renewable electricity in Europe to approximately 70 percent.
Schneider Electric provided advisory services and strategy management for the agreement between Graphic Packaging and Zelestra.
According to the Food Standards Agency, there were 1,837 food safety incidents reported in 2023/24, with 110 due to faulty label information (reported in June 2024).
unlike other solutions widely used today. Any non-conforming packs are rejected into a lockable reject bin with reject verification provided as standard.
Ultimately, QUOR’s automated data capture maximises OEE (a percentage of how effective the production line is) and provides total control and visibility of the Vision system’s analytics. Subsequently, human error is eliminated, and safety is assured for swift and intelligent decision making. It benchmarks product and scheduling data to establish set criteria for label accuracy, pack speeds and OEE standards. This information is then processed and stored locally or in a cloud-based reporting system for easy access and exporting. Collated information reports on the Vision’s full spectrum of functionalities, covering aspects such as pack speeds, stoppages, labelling errors and faulty pack images. QUOR’s software can be accessed through a user interface on an iPad, tablet, or PC.
According to the Food Standards Agency, there were 1,837 food safety incidents reported in 2023/24, with 110 due to faulty label information (reported in June 2024). The food safety landscape is constantly evolving. Given these figures, along with the associated financial losses and potential fines, brand owners and retailers are increasingly prioritising improvements in their packaging inspection, and quality management systems. It’s no surprise that the integration of Ravenwood’s Vision system with the QUOR quality management system is proving to be a highly effective solution for label verification and reporting.
Hunter Luxury blends contemporary with classic in new Antiquary whisky packaging
Luxury packaging artisan Hunter Luxury has partnered with Tomatin Distillery to celebrate the exquisite artistry of blended whisky with two exclusive packs for The Antiquary, an award-winning range of premium 21- and 30-year-old expressions.
Like the whiskies themselves, the packaging contains a captivating combination of traditional and modern elements. Based on a design concept from renowned design agency Contagious, the rigid box features a large window that frames the Edwardian-inspired cut glass bottle like a painting and is enhanced with a range of modern finishing techniques that demonstrate Hunter Luxury’s trademark attention to detail.
The rigid boxes are printed in different colours to differentiate
the whiskies. The box for the 21-year-old whisky, which took home a prestigious Double Gold medal and Best in Class award from the Singapore World Spirits Competition, features an opulent burgundy hue that calls to mind the Tawny Port from the casks it was aged in and is premiumised through the delicate application of foil detailing using three different foil colours. The box for the bold 30-year-old expression, meanwhile, uses a rich brown and gold colour scheme, with the interior finished using embossed gold foil.
The revived Antiquary range, which is also available as a 15-yearold expression, pays tribute to the brand’s storied history, having been founded in 1880 by J&W Hardie. Over its 150-year history, it became known for its packaging, in particular its eye-catching diamondshaped bottle.
Interview: Tim Barbary
We asked Tim Barbary FIMMM and Chairman of the Midlands Packaging Society who co-owns Benchmark-Consulting Global Ltd, a company that provides a daily commercial cost and carbon footprint (CO2e) estimation and quotation software solution a number of questions regarding the commercial cost and cost to the environment of packaging.
Can we simply use an average carbon footprint number for packaging?
NO!
No one should expect to see an expensive bottle of whiskey in a glass bottle, with metal cap, plastic label and carton tube to be compared with a plastic wrapper around frozen peas, have the same carbon footprint!
Will Government initiatives like the new Extended Producer Responsibility impact the cost of packaging?
Yes!
The modulated fees issued by DEFRA are significant and will lead to the cost being passed onto the consumer.
The way UK organisations responsible for packaging must carry out their recycling responsibilities has changed. The regulations will apply to all obligated UK organisations that import or supply packaging. The modulated fees come into effect in 2025, however reporting data is required in 2024. Late reporting data will result in fines.
Data granularity and accuracy is the new currency, it can either empower business leaders to make informed decisions or it will constrain and discourage leaders from seeking or using relevant data.
The way UK organisations responsible for packaging must carry out their recycling responsibilities has changed.
Global warming denials are pretty much a thing of the past, so it will most likely come down to cost. But that cost needs to be considered in the round – The initial cost to gather granular data, accurately calculate it, transparently report it and verify the data is one thing. Maintaining the data to report one’s net zero journey year on year is another. But there is also the cost of noncompliance, recently Budweiser Budvar was ordered to contribute £400k to charity after failing packaging data regulations. There is also the risk to share holder value and brand equity.
Does sustainable packaging need to cost the earth?
Are there other Government initiatives that affect packaging?
Yes.
• Packaging Recovery note is a document that shows that a company has recycled or recovered packaging waste,
• Plastics Tax, a tax on plastic packaging components that are imported or manufactured in the UK and contain less than 30% recycled plastic
• Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is a UK government program that charges a small, refundable deposit to consumers when they buy drinks in single-use containers
Do you think there will be more regulation?
Yes.
As businesses continue to fail to report their CO2e (carbon equivalent) by consumer pack and global warming worsens I believe it inevitable a carbon tax will also be introduced to engender right behaviours.
No,
If there were no packaging the costs would be far greater in terms of, less informed consumers, damaged goods in the supply chain, shorter shelf life on packs and increased food waste, the latter producing methane which is ten times worse than carbon emissions.
When it comes to carbon emissions, in many circumstances businesses can recover the cost of data management and more by identifying and removing waste. As wherever there is a commercial cost there is a carbon footprint.
For more details go towww.benchmark-consulting.co.uk
Grant McGeever, managing director of Rospen Industries, tells us How Rospen plays a vital role in sweet treat Toblerone
Crack open a segment of Toblerone and you’ll notice an even spread of perfectly proportioned honey and almond nougat –and that’s down to us.
- Grant McGeever
Whether you choose the dark, white or original milk version, did you know Rospen plays a key role in ensuring your chocolate bar gets its unique taste and consistency?
Its distinctive triangular appearance makes it recognisable around the world, whether you treat yourself at the airport or find one under your tree at Christmas.
Of course, I’m talking about Toblerone, the Swiss chocolate bar that was created in 1908 and has become a favourite around the world.
We have a longstanding partnership with food manufacturer Mondelez International – parent company of brands including Cadbury, Philadelphia and Ritz, manufacturing mixing and processing equipment for a number of their sites around the world.
Our most recent project began in September 2022 and was prompted by sales of Toblerone soaring during the pandemic. Mondelez wanted to open a production site for Toblerone in Bratislava, Slovakia, in addition to its current operation in Switzerland, and enlisted our expertise to ensure the signature recipe continued to be replicated.
Perfectly proportioned
Crack open a segment of Toblerone and you’ll notice an even spread of perfectly proportioned honey and almond nougat – and that’s down to us.
The £1.2m project we completed in 2023 deals specifically with the nougat that goes into every triangular bar, and we’ve come up with some innovative solutions to various challenges along the way.
When manufacturing a chocolate bar, there are different ‘inclusions’ –ingredients added to the chocolate.
Some have several (think Dairy Milk Fruit and Nut), but Toblerone has just one, the nougat, which, unlike many of the ingredients our machines handle, has trickier qualities.
Unlike an ingredient like salt, which flows freely regardless of its environment, nougat is affected by temperature and humidity. Stored wrongly and it melts, becomes sticky and clumps together, meaning the conditions it is handled in must be totally controlled.
The nougat for Toblerone starts life in Switzerland, where it is bagged up in a temperature-controlled room and transported to Bratislava ready to go in the chocolate bars.
Innovative
On arrival, the nougat enters Rospen’s bulk bag handling system, with a hoist picking up the bag and lifting it onto the machine ready to be handled. Here, our engineering team had to be innovative to overcome the challenge of a low ceiling height in the facility –adapting the frame that holds the bags, to take into account the lack of headroom, and reducing the usual 5m height of our system to 4m.
Then there was the issue of encouraging the sticky nougat to flow out of the bags and into the system. For this specific project, we designed a pneumatic massage system that vibrates and pounds the ingredient as it leaves the bulk bag and into a Rospen feeder – that has once again been customised to deal with this difficult product.
It contains two rotating bars that crush the nougat to deal with any blocks or clumps as they are fed into a mill that grinds the golf ball-sized chunks into 8mmsized pieces of nougat. Once again, our engineering team had to think differently here to ensure the ingredient was fed into the mill, which contains a specially designed screw, to meter feed the mill to prevent it being overfed.
From here, the milled nougat gets pulled through pipework that runs across the factory and into a different room to reach the mixer that combines it with the molten chocolate.
Machines & Machinery
Used Koppens Forming, coating & Frying Line
Koppens VM400HS Former in exceptionally good condition
• Koppens ER 400 Batter Enrober, 400 mm wide belt
Koppens PR400C Breader, 400 mm wide belt
Koppens 400 mm wide Fryer, 3,000 mm fry length, Thermal oil, sediment removal, gantry lift
Bowl Cutters
New Fatosa 35 litre Bowl Cutter all S/S
Seydelmann 60 litre Bowl Cutter with unloader
Rex 125 litre Bowl Cutter with unloader arm
K & G 330 litre Bowl Cutter, Year 2012 Robot Coupe R45 VCM, 3 knives Mincers & Mixer Grinders
New ATM Packman single chamber Vacuum Packer, 3 phase
New ATM large single chamber Vacuum Packer, 3 phase
New ATM double chamber gas flush Vacuum Packer, 3 phase
• Cryovac ST98 600 Hot water spray shrink Tunnel, electric
Webomatic 60/80 Dip tank electric Mixers & Tumblers
• New Uniball 225 litre concrete style tumbler, electric tipping New Fatosa 150 litre single paddle Mixer, tipping discharge New Fatosa A300 Mixer, single paddle, end door discharge Millitec 300 litre Drum Mixer, tipping discharge Dorit 150 Kg vacuum mixer tumbler
Core product
Dicers, Flakers, Graters
New Fatosa TBG 480 Guillotine, pneumatic Loader, 8 week delivery Used Fatosa TBG 480 Guillotine, with one vertical blade
• Single stage 20 Kg cheese block cutter, pneumatic operation Northwood two stage Inline cheese cutter Cheese grate line with Arcall cutter and Urschel CC Grater
Miscellaneous New Lazy Suzy 1200 mm diameter, variable speed
Handtmann
The next challenge to be overcome occurred with the ingredient moving from one temperature-controlled room to one where temperatures can reach 30C in the summer months. The vacuum conveying system is a core Rospen product that uses negative pressure to pull the substance through, but the threat of heat could result in melting and blockages.
Our expert engineers got to work again and designed the water jacketed pipework – a surrounding pipe pumped with cold water to keep the nougat chilled as it travels. A vacuum receiving hopper, deposits the nougat into a twin screw feeder to keep it moving and prevent sticking, before it goes into a mixer where paddles push it into the liquid chocolate ready for moulding.
The result is the Toblerone we all know and love.
The project was a completely customised system for Mondelez –an intricate piece of machinery designed to do an all-important job to ensure a sweet favourite is produced to a high and consistent quality. From Haslingden to Bratislava – to supermarket shelves across the globe. For
Take the risk out of manual handling
Our extended range of tote bins and accessories reduce the risk of a potential accident with added safety features.
With manual handling accounting for over a third of workplace injuries, it’s never been more important to invest in equipment that can save companies from a costly mistake.
Storage
Getting you safely from A to B
Introducing the new range:
- Tote bin with built-in forklift channels
- Tote bin with integral chute
- Chuted mobile tote bin frame
- Pneumatic washing frame
- Tote bin tipper
- Weighing scale
- Modular racking
Offering standard, customised and bespoke hygienic furniture and equipment
Pictured: Tote bin tipper with mobile base (right), pneumatic washing frame (top left), chuted mobile tote bin frame (bottom left), tote bin with forklift channels and modular racking (far left).
Safety Writing it right: how to draft a robust HACCP plan
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its new Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030. Inspection and contaminant detection specialist Fortress Technology explores how HACCP planning feeds into this, and what needs to be included in a food safety plan for it to gain approval from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
Several decades ago, food safety management programs were generally reserved for the very largest food manufacturers.
The WHO has a vision: To try and ensure that all people, wherever they are in the world, can consume safe and healthy food. This effort is repeatably referred to as being people’s “basic human right.” Sales Director Phil Brown at Fortress Technology Europe explores how processors can prepare, and the role that modern inspection systems, technology and software features play in protecting consumers worldwide.
Several decades ago, food safety management programs were generally
reserved for the very largest food manufacturers. Many recognised just how far news of a recall can spread and how extensive the brand damage could be. Today, retailers, legislation, and prolific consumer awareness drive the food safety agenda.
HACCP safety takes off
Consumers expect contaminant-free food. The earliest adopter of a food safety management system came about in 1960s America. A team of food scientists, Pillsbury engineers and the US Army collaborated with NASA to
Most food production lines use metal in their equipment, tools and processes, which presents a high probability of metal contaminants entering the production line.
RIGHT: The FSA requires all food manufacturers keep a written record of their entire HACCP plan, including the process, proof and problems.
build quality checks to help ensure that the food on space expeditions was safe and pathogen-free. During the 1980s, the WHO published their first report on HACCP systems, recommending their implementation in food manufacturing.
This food safety mindset slowly began to infiltrate food production plants and during the 1990s HACCP became a legal requirement for all EU member states. The legislation was updated again in 2006.
In the UK, any procedure that involves food safety management should now be based on HACCP principles. This means that the entire supply chain, from farm to fork, is required to implement a HACCP plan.
The who’s who of food safety
The WHO’s Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030 highlights a belief that global food safety control systems will be strengthened by increasing the use of scientific evidence and risk assessment in decision making. The future of food safety in the UK could see the adoption of a more risk-based preventative approach in order to align better with this shifting food safety narrative and expectations.
To confuse food safety matters, the US now adopts a program titled Hazard Analysis Risk-Based Preventative Control (HARPC). Currently, HACCP still remains the main food safety management system in the UK and continues to align with the WHOs five key, interconnected, scientific-backed priorities. These include stronger national food safety control systems; the utilisation of food safety systems to identify and respond to food safety challenges; increasing use of scientific evidence and risk assessments in decision making; stakeholder engagement in risk communication; and promoting food safety as an essential component of trade.
Picking apart the distinctions, Fortress Technology’s free and informative new whitepaper “Writing a HACCP Plan” details the step-by-step process to designing and implementing an FSA and Food Safety Authority Irelandapproved plan.
Changes to food safety concepts, including the WHO Food Safety plans, are largely driven by legislation from North America.
Rate Your Risks
Traceability is a key element in the WHO’s global food safety initiative. Inspection systems such as metal detection and X-ray mitigate the risk of physical contaminants, while simultaneously increasing traceability and reducing the likelihood of a recall.
HACCP planning focuses on Critical Control Points (CCPs). Here, inspection systems play a large and very essential role. Creating a CCP decision tree can help processors to first decide whether the hazard warrants a CCP. The risk is then rated by severity and likelihood. From this, control measures should be implemented to prevent, eliminate or reduce the hazards to an acceptable level. This can include the addition of an inspection system.
To illustrate this point, most food production lines feature metal in their equipment, tools and processes. This presents a high probability of metal
contaminants entering the production line. An end-of-line metal detector can be used as a preventative control measure in this instance.
Traceable documentation
A well-established documentation system forms another integral part of food safety. Documents must be maintained and stored safely in order to show that the CCPs and critical control limits are working and under control.
The FSA requires all food manufacturers keep a written record of their entire HACCP plan, including the process, proof and problems. Corrective actions, inspection system performance validation tests, auditing and inspection results, cleaning schedules, pest control reports, the recall plan, and certificates relating to food safety must all be documented and up-to-date.
Defining the future
Changes to food safety concepts, including the WHO Food Safety plans, are largely driven by legislation from North America. Most countries’ legislative frameworks are now merging into things that look very similar to these FDA and FSMA standards, creating a roadmap that pursues continuous improvements and bolsters collaboration.
Click here to download your free copy of Writing a HACCP Plan.
Creating a Cooler Workplace - Innovative Climate Solutions for the Manufacturing Industry
In the manufacturing industry, maintaining a comfortable working environment is paramount. The heat generated from various manufacturing processes, combined with the high density of workers, often creates challenging conditions. Moreover, stringent ventilation regulations, especially those necessitated by recent health guidelines, have rendered traditional air circulation and air conditioning systems impractical. The need for innovative, energyefficient climate control solutions has never been more critical.
Innovative Solutions for Modern Challenges
To address these challenges, a combination of evaporative cooling and hybrid roof ventilation has proven to be revolutionary in workplace climate control.
Hybrid Roof Ventilation: This advanced system effectively expels
stale, warm air from production areas. The Eco-Power can operate in multimode to optimise energy consumption while ensuring indoor air quality. This approach not only meets health regulations but also underscores a commitment to sustainability.
Evaporative Cooling: This technology leverages the principles of natural cooling by introducing 100% fresh air into the environment. Outside air is drawn in, passed over a wetted matrix where heat is absorbed, and cooled air is then circulated within the building. This process is simple to install, safe to operate, and offers significant energy savings of 80-85% compared to conventional air conditioning systems. The result is a notably reduced carbon footprint, aligning with broader environmental goals.
Key Benefits
• Increased Comfort - By reducing internal temperatures, these
solutions create a more comfortable and productive working environment.
• Energy Efficiency - Achieve substantial energy savings, lowering operational costs and reducing environmental impact.
• Improved Air Quality - Ensure fresh, clean air circulation, meeting stringent health and safety standards.
• Sustainability - Reduce your carbon footprint with eco-friendly cooling and ventilation solutions.
Leading the Way in Climate Control Innovation
Our expertise in hybrid ventilation and evaporative cooling systems places us at the forefront of climate control innovation for the manufacturing industry. By integrating advanced technology with a deep understanding of industry needs, we deliver solutions that are both cutting-edge and sustainable.
Whether you’re looking to enhance comfort, improve air quality, or achieve significant energy savings, our Controlled Air solutions are designed to meet your specific needs. Experience the difference our bespoke solutions can make in transforming your facility, ensuring both employee comfort and operational efficiency.
Contact us today to learn more about our innovative climate solutions and how we can help you create a better working environment. sales@cpa-group.com
Pearl nitrile glove range showing its true colours
Hand protection specialist Unigloves has brightened up its most popular range of disposable nitrile gloves - Pearl – now available in a variety of colours.
The highly flexible, multi-coloured glove range – which has grown to become Unigloves’ best-selling gloveshttps://uk.unigloves.com/collections/pearl - now boasts 16 different colour choices, ranging from the
more traditional colours of black, blue, green, yellow and orange through to more unusual choices of opal, magenta, sapphire, violet and cobalt .
The result is a range that not only delivers food handling compliance, chemical protection, comfort and performance but an array of colour choices to meet corporate colours, colour coding, cross contamination guidelines or simply wearer preference.
All Pearl gloves are manufactured from high quality, medical grade, powder-free nitrile, certified to EN374 and EN455 parts 1-4 for rigorous safety and quality standards, including an AQL of 1.5 and tested to EN1186 for food safety, enabling them to be used across a variety of food handling and food production environments.
Resistant to a range of workplace chemicals thanks to the nitrile formulation, Pearl gloves are highly comfortable, flexible and feature a beaded cuff for added strength. The textured finish on the Pearl gloves also delivers improved grip, whilst offering touchscreen compatibility for modern convenience.
The Pearl range is also an ideal choice when doublegloving; the contrasting colours ensuring that any accidental nicks or tears are immediately apparent.
Award winning food industry training courses
Specialists in supervisory and management level courses
Excellent trainers with hands-on food industry experience
Consistently high examination pass rates
IDEAL FOR HACCP COMPLIANCE
Therma 20 thermometer
Modern training facility in Skipton, North Yorkshire, close to road and rail networks
In-house or remote training also available for a flexible, cost-effective option
Book online at www.vwa.co.uk or call Claire on 01756 700802
Manufactured in the UK, we offer a wide range of specialist thermometers for the food & drink industry from daily hand-held monitoring to Bluetooth® wireless technology & remote Wi-Fi logging
Quartet of experienced professionals join Joseph Robertson (Aberdeen) Ltd board as the company enters an exciting new era
Four new board members have joined the leadership team of north-east seafood manufacturer, Joseph Robertson (Aberdeen) Ltd, to support the company’s significant growth opportunities.
Ryan Robertson, son of managing director, Michael Robertson has been appointed deputy managing director with a view to succeeding Michael in the years ahead.
Ryan joined Joseph Robertson in 2013 after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management at the University of Nevada. His roles within the company have been heavily focused in the finance department and strategy, and prior to his new appointment he served as head of finance.
Joining Ryan on the board, Evan Robertson has been appointed operations director. During the last decade within the business Evan has covered several roles, including purchasing, planning, logistics and production. Evan has held the role of head of operations prior this appointment. He has achieved various levels within the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply Operations and is a qualified Lean Six Sigma Black belt practitioner.
Also appointed to the board is the firm’s technical director, Kate Richardson. Kate has worked at Joseph Robertson since July 2023 and has 26 years of
We have been planning for succession within the board for a number of years.
experience in technical roles in the food industry. Her technical expertise in dealing with all the major retailers and food service providers will hugely benefit the board.
The final appointment is Ajay Chintalapati as director of planning, systems and IT bringing 14 years of experience to the board. He started with the company in 2012 and has worked his way through planning and project management roles while achieving a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science from Robert Gordon University in 2022.
These appointments will assist the fifth-generation family firm based on Sinclair Road in Aberdeen in its aspiration of doubling turnover from c£45m in the near future.
David Kilshaw, chairman of Joseph Robertson (Aberdeen) Ltd, said the new appointments will not only assist the strategic direction of the business but will have a positive impact operationally within the company.
He said: “We have been planning for succession within the board for a number of years. These latest board additions will ensure the company continues its significant growth journey as it explores additional opportunities across several territories and will ensure success for years to come within the organisation. The Board of Directors felt the time was now to implement these key appointments.”
Founded in 1878, one of Scotland’s oldest independent Seafood companies, Joseph Robertson has operated in the food manufacturing industry for 146 years. It specialises in added value food processing and supplies a range of products to major retailers across the UK and further afield for their own label brands, as well as its own ‘Swankies’ and ‘Get Hooked’ brands. Products include coated fillets, traditional fishcakes, melting centre fishcakes and fish based ready meals.
Michael Robertson, managing director, is positive the changes made today will future proof the business legacy and expand upon the rich heritage for generations to come.
He added: “The structure of the business and strength of the new senior leadership team will ensure that we can capitalise on current growth opportunities and achieve our ambitions. The changes we have made will not only facilitate further progression but will enable the business to continue to thrive in the years ahead under the stewardship of the fifth generation. There is a great sense of excitement and pride within the business which bodes well for a bright future.”
LEFT: Kate Richardson – technical director, Ryan Robertson – deputy managing director, Evan Robertson – operations director and Ajay Chintalapati – director of planning, systems and IT
For more information about Joseph Robertson (Aberdeen) Ltd visit josephrobertson.co.uk
Automation James Mae Group Celebrates 10 Years of Innovation in Food & Beverage Automation
2024 is the 10-year anniversary of James Mae Group Ltd. The construction and engineering group certainly seems to be excelling by offering a number of valuable services for Food and Drinks companies.
James Mae Group was established in 2014 drawing on a team with extensive experience within the construction, mechanical and electrical engineering industries and it is also in the food and drinks sector where much of the group’s experience has been developed. The Senior Team has over 40 years’ experience in design, development, manufacturing, and installation of custom automation & robotics for the Food and Drinks sector.
James Mae Group has a highly skilled and professional design team that can provide a complete design and engineering service, including Concept and design calculations, mechanical design & detailed drawings, electrical / controls design, risk assessment, UK CA and CE Marking and Project Management.
Impressive use of the latest Solid Works 3D computer aided design technology delivers better design visualisation for clients, reduced lead times and improved drawing quality and documentation. This in turn ensures a “right first time” mentality to every project.
Special Purpose Automation is a core strength of the James Mae Group. A proof-of-concept phase is used to “de risk” the project by identifying and proving the solution to the identified problem. The technical solution is then built into a detailed project plan and together, these items form the core of a costed automation proposal.
Fundamental to many James Mae projects is Primary Packaging solutions for naked food products, including automatic handling and placement in primary packaging. The range includes flow-wrappers, tray sealers, de-nesters and ‘Thermoformers.’ Products can be picked from enrobed, frozen, baked, raw, fried, fresh, and unscrambled from bulk at high speeds and QC inspected using vision technology.
James Mae Group has a range of robotic solutions to offer, all with maximum flexibility and reconfigurability to suit their purpose. Packing, palletising, and de-palletising can use four and six axis robots, as well as high speed pick & place or cut & slice solutions using delta or Scara robots. The company’s experience also embraces development and supply of Cobots (collaborative robots) designed to run at a speed and force with an operator.
JMG can provide a wide range of conveyor types either as standalone individual units or integrated into a fully automated system. Typical
Packing, palletising, and de-palletising can use four and six axis robots, as well as high speed pick & place or cut & slice solutions using delta or Scara robots.
types of conveyor include Flat belts, powered belt bends, pallet handling rollers, straight running and curved plastic modular conveyor, powered rollers, wire belts, spiral elevating, and de-elevating. Sometimes the conveyor systems will include cooling functions and will often interconnect secondary packaging solutions also provided by the James Mae Group.
Frequently the James Mae Group is asked to relocate factories or refurbish a site. Recently they were contracted to help a major high street retailer when it decided to move from a huge 200,000 square foot site. This included decommissioning, dismantling, and moving 500 metres of conveyor.
Andy Banks, Operations Director of James Mae Group is keen to point out its unrivalled ability to offer turnkey Solutions through its expertise in engineering, automation, and construction. A turnkey solution can capitalise on opportunities to combine the need for both at a particular site leading to welcome efficiencies in planning, cost, and timescales.
People On The Move
Yorkshire plant-based firm expands HQ to keep up with ‘sensational demand’
A plant-based firm’s factory has expanded merely months after opening, amid “sensational” demand from consumers.
Myco has added another 3,000 sqft to its pioneering production
site in North Yorkshire, which will allow for a 600 per cent increase in production of the firm’s Hooba range of burgers and sausages.
The extension means Myco can vertically farm far more oyster mushrooms, which are converted into Hooba under that same roof.
Having recently brought the range to market, the company said it has proven so popular it had to expand to meet growing demand.
The company’s Leeming Bar HQ site is one of the most unique food production sites in Britain, with every stage of the process carried out under one roof.
It has led to the company’s quarter pounder being crowned ‘Britain’s greenest burger’.
And Myco’s growth isn’t just limited to the number of mushrooms it can produce – with the team swelling thanks to two new vital appointments.
Business development consultant Will Marshall and Catherine Priestly, food service business development consultant, have joined the team.
With 18 years in the food industry, Catherine has worked for several
Macsa id UK appoints regional sales manager for the south
Ryan Sears to support coding and marking specialist’s growth strategy.
Further underlining its commitment to an ambitious growth strategy, Macsa id UK – leading manufacturer of high performance coding and marking systems for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care and cosmetic and toiletries industries – has appointed Ryan Sears as Regional Sales Manager for the South.
Business studies graduate Ryan brings a wealth of sales experience to his new role. He spent almost four years at Four Digital Solutions where he progressed through the ranks from Business Development Executive to Senior Sales Account Manager, specializing in hardware, software and maintenance contracts.
With 18 years in the food industry, Catherine has worked for several notable names including Fable, Meatless Farm and Genius, while Will’s sales and marketing background has seen him commercial director level positions for the likes of Xerox.
notable names including Fable, Meatless Farm and Genius, while Will’s sales and marketing background has seen him commercial director level positions for the likes of Xerox.
And there are further hires on the horizon, with the company expected to fill several other key roles by the end of summer – including a mushroom farmer.
With hopes to employ around 70 staff in the coming year, co-founder John Shepherd said the future for Myco looks “brighter by the day”.
In his role as Regional Sales Manager at Macsa id UK, Ryan will be dedicated to supporting and expanding the company’s customer base in the South, partnering with industry professionals to fulfil their coding, marking and traceability requirements.
Talking about his new role, Ryan comments: “The laser coding industry in particular is growing rapidly. I am thrilled to be part of Macsa id UK’s journey and to be able to contribute to its future success.”
With significant growth plans for the UK, I am genuinely excited to play a key role in this dynamic team.
People On The Move
Scotland Food & Drink strengthens Business Development team with key appointments
Scotland Food & Drink, the industry leadership body for the £16bn sector, has strengthened its Business Development team by appointing Tracy Cameron as Head of Membership and Commercial, and Jessica Van Tromp as the Business Development Manager for the East of Scotland.
Tracy Cameron, previously the interim Head of Business Development, has been appointed as the Head of Membership and Commercial within the organisation. Tracy joined Scotland Food & Drink in January 2022 as the Business Development Manager for the Highlands and Islands, and earlier this year, stepped into the role of interim Head of Business Development. She has now taken on her new role, continuing to support Scotland Food & Drink’s Highlands and Islands members, whilst working closely with John Donnelly, Membership and Commercial Director who joined the business in May this year.
Jessica Van Tromp has also been appointed as the Business Development Manager for the East of Scotland. Jessica began her food and drink career through Scotland Food & Drink’s graduate programme, where she was placed in Scotmid as a Graduate Commercial Support Development Officer.
Following the completion of the graduate programme, she continued at Scotmid as the Local Sourcing Manager. Jessica returned to Scotland Food & Drink last year as the Project Manager for Showcasing Scotland 2024, the country’s largest global food and drink trade event. She now joins the Business Development team to support members in the East of Scotland.
The Business Development team at Scotland Food & Drink is responsible for directly supporting its more than 400 members by connecting them to commercial opportunities and fostering collaboration between businesses.
In line with Scotland Food & Drink’s commitment to providing comprehensive support across all regions, the industry body is currently recruiting for a Business Development Manager for the North East of Scotland. This role, in partnership with Opportunity North East, will play a crucial part in fostering growth and innovation in the region’s food and drink industry.
Software & Technology
How the Internet of Things is enhancing the contract catering industry
By Ruby Whipp, VP of Product, at mpro5
Such devices send automated real-time alerts to catering managers’ devices, whether on-site or not, allowing them to resolve fridge temperature emergencies and avoid food spoilage.
With the help of IoT sensors, food manufacturers and catering businesses can access and use real-time food safety data to monitor storage conditions in refrigerators, freezers, and cold stores. This, combined with a digital audit trail of cooking and cooling times, cleanliness, and hygiene practices, drives compliance to food safety standards to minimise risk.
Waste reduction
The ongoing integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is revolutionising how caterers, hotels and restaurants operate. IoT devices, in conjunction with process management apps, automate processes and gather data, helping businesses to make more informed decisions and improve the customer experience. With IoT sensors, caterers can confirm, manage, and record the operating status and temperatures of multiple pieces of equipment in different locations on any device in real-time.
Improved Food Safety
IoT is being used in food service to actively improve food safety. Operators are moving away from manual paper-based processes and are investing in IoT sensors that regularly monitor the status and temperature of refrigeration equipment.
Caterers rely on hundreds of fridges and freezers to keep produce fresh and avoid waste. They are a vital component of their business to deliver highquality meals while complying with food and health regulations.
With the adoption of IoT sensors in conjunction with process management applications, caterers no longer need to manually file temperature records every week, mitigating against the risk of wastage.
Preventative maintenance
When monitoring fridges and freezers constantly with IoT sensors, unusual operating performance and constant fluctuations in temperature often indicate issues. Caterers can identify hardware issues sooner and prevent fridge and freezer operation discrepancies from worsening by calling an engineer.
Prevention is always better – instead of reactively repairing or replacing equipment that has become useless. Caterers cannot operate without functioning food storage facilities, and IoT sensors can ensure they remain on top of potential malfunctions that could affect business.
The future of IoT in catering
Automated monitoring with IoT sensors delivers rapid ROI and improves reporting efficiency. Food waste is a big money burner in the contract catering industry, and these technologies collectively facilitate the combatting of food waste, while enhancing efficiency and reducing labour costs.
Demands for ready-to-eat food will continue to accelerate in 2024, and caterers must have the correct IoT solutions in line with an efficient process management platform to reduce the risk of waste and equipment failures and remain compliant with food safety regulations.
