< Previous40 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net SLICING, DICING AND CUTTING hygiene levels, but so too does the surface on which the foods are placed and the cuts are made. Constant cutting will inevitably lead to dullness of the blade, which in turn can result in less-than-ideal precision for food products, while rendering others completely unsuitable for the customer. A blunt blade will leave ragged edges which can lead to the product, particularly meat, spoiling. This can result in it becoming unstable or unsafe during distribution, something that might only be discovered by the end user. Likewise, a blunting blade will likely retain residue and matter from the previous products which will then become entrenched in others, allowing for contaminates to spread with greater ease. It’s something as simple as ensuring equipment is at its best, but the consequences otherwise can result in an entire batch deemed unsuitable for sale or may even result in a recall at a later stage. It comes at the cost of a company’s profits and its time, not to mention its reputation. Given the constraints of any given technology, there is only so far a process can be streamlined, meaning a producer is only able to become efficient and time effective to a certain point. By the same rationing, adopting equipment designed to minimise wasted time and damaged goods is the next logical step. Ultrasonic slicing might be widely used across the industry for use with foods of a sticky, delicate or soft structure, but extension across more food types is combatting yield loss and boosting profit. Many food equipment manufacturers and retailers are adopting ultrasonic slicers and cutters, and the uptake among producers is rising. The advantages over traditional blades extend beyond the obvious boon to hygiene, with greater precision, functionality and reliability. Robots have become commonplace on the factory floor and production line, providing untold benefits to industry and consumer alike. For the slicing, dicing and cutting industry, imagine the speed, efficiency and safety of a robot workforce with the ability to handle food with minimal risk to product integrity, in an environment that is more hygienic and more cost effective. As efficiency and hygiene are the heart of this industry, robotics and advanced cutting equipment are ensuring the changeover from traditional processing machines to more modern fare goes smoothly. © stock.adobe.com/Daylife © stock.adobe.com/aliFood & Drink International 41 www.fdiforum.net MULTIMODAL 2025 For professionals immersed in the dynamic worlds of food & drink, staying ahead of the curve is not just advantageous, it’s essential for survival and growth. The landscape is constantly shifting, driven by technological advancements, evolving consumer demands, and the increasing complexities of global supply chains. This isn’t just another trade show; Multimodal 2025 is a concentrated hub of innovation, knowledge, and opportunity specifically curated to address the evolving needs of the logistics sector. Unparalleled Exposure to Cutting- Edge Solutions: The exhibition floor at Multimodal 2025 will be a vibrant showcase of the latest technologies and services revolutionizing warehousing and logistics. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to witness firsthand the advancements shaping the future of their operations. Expect to see: * Warehouse Automation: From sophisticated robotics and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) optimizing material flow and storage to advanced picking and packing systems enhancing efficiency and accuracy. Witness live demonstrations and understand how these technologies can be integrated into your existing infrastructure. * Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): Explore the next generation of WMS solutions offering enhanced visibility, real-time inventory management, labor optimization, and seamless integration with other supply chain technologies. Discover how these systems can streamline your warehouse operations and reduce costs. * Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Discover innovative TMS platforms that optimize route planning, load consolidation, carrier selection, and real-time tracking, leading to significant transportation cost reductions and improved delivery performance. * Supply Chain Visibility Tools: Gain insights into platforms leveraging IoT, AI, and data analytics to provide end-to-end visibility across the supply chain, enabling proactive decision-making and risk mitigation. Gain Actionable Insights from Industry Leaders: The free-to-attend conference programme at Multimodal 2025 is a treasure trove of knowledge, featuring presentations and panel discussions led by prominent figures and experts from across the logistics and supply chain spectrum, including representatives from the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), BIFA, CILT, and Logistics UK. These sessions will delve into the most pressing challenges and exciting opportunities facing the warehouse and logistics sectors, including: * The Impact of AI and Machine Learning: Understand how AI and ML are being applied to optimize warehouse processes, predict demand, improve forecasting accuracy, and enhance decision- making. * The Rise of E-commerce Logistics: Explore the unique demands of e-commerce fulfillment, including last-mile delivery challenges, reverse logistics, and the need for agile and scalable warehousing solutions. * Building Resilient Supply Chains: Learn strategies for mitigating risks, diversifying sourcing, and developing robust contingency plans to navigate future disruptions. * The Skills Gap and Talent Development: Address the critical issue of workforce development in the logistics sector and discover innovative approaches to attracting, training, and retaining talent. Multimodal 2025 is more than just an exhibition; it’s a dynamic platform designed to empower warehouse and logistics professionals with the knowledge, connections, and solutions they need to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive landscape. By attending, you will gain invaluable insights into the latest technological advancements, learn from industry leaders, forge crucial partnerships, and discover strategies for building more efficient, resilient, and sustainable operations. Don’t miss this essential opportunity to unlock your logistics potential and secure your place at the forefront of the industry’s future. Register for your free pass today at www.multimodal.org.uk Unlock your potential: why Multimodal 2025 is a must-attend Multimodal 2025, taking place from June 17th to 19th at the NEC in Birmingham, stands out as the premier event for food & drink visitors seeking to future-proof their operations, forge crucial connections, and gain unparalleled insights into the industry’s trajectory.Global Food Contact 12 - 14 May Prague, Czech Republic Global Food Contact is the must- attend event for anyone involved within the food contact materials supply chain! As the only food contact forum that covers all the latest food contact regulations and legislations on a global scale, this event brings together the entire food contact supply chain. Industry leaders and legislators from across the entire food contact supply chain gather to explore and exchange information regarding global food contact developments and initiatives, and forecast the future industry landscape. Vitafoods Europe 20 - 22 May Barcelona, Spain Vitafoods Europe has been bringing the global nutraceutical community together every year to connect and do business, since 1997. It offers the perfect platform for businesses to IFFA 3 - 8 May Frankfurt, Germany IFFA is the world’s leading trade fair for innovations in process technology for meat and alternative proteins. At its core is the sustainable nutrition of a growing world population with healthy proteins. New plant-based and hybrid products, innovative fermentation processes and the future topic of cultivated meat are changing our entire nutrition system. This is where IFFA shows the current trends and solutions. All process steps are represented: from production, processing and packaging to innovative ingredients and nutrition trends at the point of sale. Natural Food Expo 12 - 13 May London, UK From organic food to functional drinks, or the latest in plant-based, Natural Food Expo is the home of products you cannot find anywhere else. Since 1997 this has been the place for buyers from across the retail, hospitality, foodservice, manufacturing, import & export sectors to discover new products. 42 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net Events Food & Drink © stock.adobe.com/Itsanan THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 27 - 31 May Bangkok, Thailand This is Asia’s most influential F&B arena, where visionaries, disruptors, and market leaders converge to redefine the industry. Here, high-stakes deals are sealed, trends emerge, and game-changing innovations take centre stage. Connect with industry leaders, meet top suppliers, and gain insider insights that transform your business Beyond Food Experience. thrive and forge long term collaborations, enrich their understanding and initiate critical conversations around the most pressing issues concerning the health and nutrition industry. ProPak Asia 11 - 14 June Bangkok, Thailand ProPak Asia is Asia’s must-attend © stock.adobe.com/Getty GalleryAutomation UK 7 - 8 May Coventry, UK Discover the latest innovations in automation, robotics and machine vision. See renowned keynote speaker Jake Hall aka the Manufacturing Millennial live and in the UK for the first time ever. Take advantage of exclusive networking opportunities with the UK’s leading manufacturers. Plus, so much more. It’s only at the biggest event of its kind in the UK – Automation UK 2025. Food & Drink International 43 www.fdiforum.net © stock.adobe.com/HollyHarry Sustainable Foods Summit 26 - 27 June Amsterdam, The Netherlands Since 2009, the Sustainable Foods Summit has been covering major sustainability developments in the food industry. How are sustainability schemes and eco-labels evolving in the food industry? With growing proliferation in labels, what are the prospects for a single sustainability standard for food products? What is the future outlook for plant-based foods? What developments are occurring in sustainable ingredients? How can food & beverage firms move towards circularity? How can operators close their material loops? Such questions are regularly addressed at this summit. international trade event for processing & packaging technology, as quality and variety of products increase and expand, productivity of operations and manufacturing standards are driven higher by consumer demands, and new automation and technological advances are made. Food & Drinks Malaysia 1 - 3 July Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Set across 12,000 sq m of exhibition space at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL is poised to be a key event in the global food & beverage industry. This year’s show will feature leading businesses from across the globe, showcasing innovation and excellence in 8 distinct sectors. Visitors can explore dedicated state and international pavilions, along with thematic exhibits that offer a glimpse into the future of food. FEATURES Temperature Control Spotlight Sustainable Packaging Warehousing & Distribution Flow Measurement & Control Processing, Control & Automation Snack Foods & Ready Meals Import & Export Next month in June 2025 - Deadline 21st May INTERNATIONAL Visit us at www.fdiforum.net where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox, in between printed issues?Classified You can feature your company in our hugely popular Online Directory with a description, contact details and a hyperlink If you would like further information please contact Angela Cooper on +44 [0] 1472 310310 or email a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk or visit www.fdiforum.net/directory From field to fork, Food & Drink International is the voice of the industry. Food & Drink International 45 www.fdiforum.net Depositors Manufacturers of depositors & filling machines for the food production industry Labels • Self adhesive Labels • Lasersheets • Fanfolded Labels • Thermal Transfer Ribbons • Barcode Labels INDEX Online Directory Depositors Labels To Let www. fdiforum .net • Superb Location • Secure off street parking • High speed internet availability • A range of affordable office sizes Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Ground floor offices to let - prime location in Grimsby To Let Online Directory To advertise your services on the 46 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net FoodandDrinkInternational@fdiforum company/fdiforum Once more Food & Drink International provides your ultimate guide to the industry – making sure you’re informed on what’s going on and looking closer at what’s happening. Don’t forget to keep up to date via www.fdiforum.net! Diary Food & Drink Stay in touch with Food & Drink International For more up to the minute information from the food and drink industry, visit Food & Drink International online at www.fdiforum.net. Keep up to date with Food & Drink International, and let us know what you think, by following us on Twitter at @fdiforum, at www.facebook.com/FoodandDrink International or by searching for fdiforum on LinkedIn. May 3 - 8, IFFA, Frankfurt, Germany 7 - 8, Automation UK, Coventry, UK 12 - 13, Natural Food Expo, London, UK 12 - 14, Global Food Contact, Prague, Czech Republic 20 - 22, Vitafoods Europe, Barcelona, Spain 27 - 31, THAIFEX – Anuga Asia, Bangkok, Thailand June 11 - 14, ProPak Asia, Bangkok, Thailand 26 - 27, Sustainable Foods Summit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands July 1 - 3, Food & Drinks Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Online this month… www.fdiforum.net is the best place to go for up-to-date food and drink industry news. Here’s a sneak peek at one of our latest stories. Arla Foods and DMK Group reveal plan to merge Arla Foods and DMK Group have revealed their intention to merge, creating “the strongest dairy cooperative in Europe.” The merger brings together more than 12,000 farmers and the joint cooperative aims to achieve a combined pro forma revenue of 19 billion euros. Arla Foods and DMK Group have cooperated on several projects in recent years, among others the joint venture project ArNoCo, which processes whey from DMK’s cheese production into whey protein concentrate and lactose for Arla’s global ingredients business. Jan Toft Nørgaard, chair of Arla Foods, said: “The foundation of this partnership is formed by our shared values, and I am immensely proud of this proposed merger, which is a win-win for our cooperatives. “The strength of both Arla and DMK Group lies in our shared commitment to quality and innovation, and I see DMK Group as the perfect partner in shaping a new and strengthened Arla, poised to lead in the dairy industry.”Shop today 02476 420065 kitepackaging.co.uk powered by employee share-ownership Level up your glue game with Interlock Adhesives We’re the UK’s leading suppliers of Henkel packaging adhesives. Interlock Adhesives specialises in hot melt, waterbased and PUR adhesive for a range of applications from end of line to corrugated for the food and non food industries. PREMIUM PARTNER Contact us today at sales@interlock-adhesives.co.uk or call 01724 870055 We can: •Increase bond quality •Reduce costs – energy, spare parts and spend •Lower application temperatures – increase safety •Eliminate your gluing problems – stringing, pop opens, charring •Reduce single use plastic usage We promise: •Market leading product, even carbon negative adhesives •Unrivalled technical support including our new WhatsApp service •UK Supply – same day delivery available •First class customer serviceRegister Free Supported by Free to attend Sustainable transport, logistics & supply chain management event for cargo owners 300 Exhibitors 60+ Conferences Digital sessions from Google Interactive AI Clinic Networking Drinks Party Celebrating 18 years of providing shippers and cargo owners with solutions to optimise their supply chains by improving efficiencies and sustainability goals YearsNext >