< PreviousAutomated identification system improvesproductionefficienciesCSB-System International hasintroduced a machine that allows theautomated and secure identification,sorting and targeting of items duringthe production and packing process,to deliver improved efficiencies andreduction in error rates.In any food factory, raw materials need to be identified and checked in goods inwards, andfinished products similarly assessed, before moving to the next stage. Additional assessmentssuch as those following cutting during meat processing may also be needed. Typically this type of reporting has been undertaken by manual entries.The new CSB-Eyedentifier uses image analysis to check and enter the relevant details at all checkpoints within a factory. The system is programmed to‘learn’ how to distinguish products by taking images of them, identifying features and memorising.In this way, the system is able to sort items at each stage of the production process and direct them the relevant next stage. In addition, it provides qualitycontrol by checking contents of crates, trays and boxes in order to spot foreign objects.Ishida takes hygiene to thehighest levelIshida Europe’s newestrange of multiheadweighers, the RV Series,has been independentlycertified as having a market-leading level of water anddust ingress protection forits WP waterproof models.This makes the weighersideal for all types of freshand frozen foodapplications, which requireregular wash downsbetween shifts.IP rating tests were carried out at a leading UK independent testingcentre, which proved that the Ishida RV’s design and assemblyconsistently comply with the highest industry standards. These relate todust and water ingress resistance, including the most stringent IP-69Ktest. This compliance means the weighers are more water resistant thanever before.In addition, the RV-WP range is also certified for IP-6X (dust tight), IP-X5 (protected against water jets), IP-X6 (against powerful water jets) andIP-X7 (protected against temporary immersion).LINKFRESH delivers supply chaininsight toMoulton BulbMoulton Bulb, one of theUK’s largest suppliers ofonions, garlic and shallots,has installed LINKFRESHsupply chain software to aidits growth strategy.Moulton Bulb, whichsupplies more than 1700tonnes of onions each weekto UK retailers, has deployed LINKFRESH Enterprise Resource Planningsoftware to drive the business forward and simplify its production process. The onion supplier turned to LINKFRESH to provide an integrated IT solutionwhich would streamline its entire process to quicken traceability, produce morein-depth reports, modernise its produce booking systems and increase mobilevisibility of factory performance. Historically the firm had been reliant on manypaper-based processes. Running on the Microsoft Dynamics platform, LINKFRESH ERP informs alloperational aspects of Moulton Bulb including finance, planning andforecasting, live inventory management, packing centre management,warehouse operations, delivery schedules and logistics. The solution alsoprovides mobility applications for stock management, quality control, intake,picking, dispatch and label printing.Not too hot, or too cold to handle The new Peak range of PTFE andsilicone-coated belts from AmmeraalBeltech feature excellent releaseproperties, and are capable ofconveying bakery industry and otherfood products through ovens at workingtemperatures up to +260°C or viafreezing chambers at cryogenictemperatures as low as -70°C. The Peak belt range is suited not onlyfor use in traditional baking with flour-based products such as croissants andbiscuits, but also for press-baking products, such as tortillas and pizza bases, as well as open-flame baking items, including pita and piadina breads. The lower set-up costs and improved flavour-retention quality of cryogenic freezing overmechanical freezing have increased the demand for technology capable of performing efficientlyat extremely low temperatures. Ammeraal Beltech Peak PTFE and silicone belts functionexceptionally well in the conditions of intense cold encountered in cryogenic freezing systems. Spinach handling expertchooses IshidaBroersen, an important grower and packer in theNetherlands, has experimented with other multiheadweighers but today uses only Ishida Salad Weighers tohandle its home-grown and imported spinach.Popular throughout the year, fresh spinach has to bepacked and on its way to the retailer in time to bebought and enjoyed while its nutrients and itsappearance are still at their best. Automation isessential and multihead weighing is the obvious choice.The Ishida Salad Weighers at Broersen are fillingclear plastic bags to target weights ranging from 150gto 600g. The lower weights are particularly popular inthe Scandinavian market while the larger packs areused in catering. 450g bags are filled at up to 40 perminute, no mean feat for a leafy salad vegetable thattends to cling to metal and plastic. 10 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.net10:Layout 1 22/5/14 09:32 Page 1Food & Drink International 11www.fdiforum.netUnique lid design creates the homemade lookfor foodsUsing its specialist Bebo Print pre-print technology, RPC Bebo Plastik hasproduced a unique lid design thatcreates a ‘homemade’ look for a varietyof products including salads andsauces.The patented Bebo Wave Lid isdesigned to replicate the cloth or papercovering that would normally be tiedaround the neck of a jar or potcontaining homemade produce. The lidsits within the rim of the tub andfeatures a unique ruffled edge to create this effect.By printing the sheet prior to thermoforming, Bebo Print enables the entire area of the lid to becovered to provide all-over high quality printing that helps to create a premium image and maximiseon shelf appeal. The first customer for this innovative technology is Homman Group, for whom RPCBebo is producing a 115mm PET tub with PP Bebo Wave lid for a range of fresh salads.‘Liquid vegetables’ are on the way upHealth-conscious consumers arestarting to take notice of veggiejuices. Norman Gierow, Head ofGlobal Market Segment Managementat SIG Combibloc, says, “We’reseeing the number of vegetablejuices offered in our carton packs isincreasing steadily. Manufacturersare flexing their creative muscles –and the market for it is there.”In Poland, for instance, Maspexhas brought out the Vega product range, under the established Tymbark brand name. Vega productsare offered in combifitPremium 500 ml with combiSwift screw cap.Norman Gierow says, “The Vega juices from Maspex are very good examples of how high-qualityvegetable juices attract consumers’ attention, and are welcomed in particular by people who arelooking after their health but don’t want to miss out on great taste. A single 250ml glass of thevegetable juices is equivalent to two of the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables anadult should eat every day.” Village Dairy joinsHeart Distribution toexpand brand nationallyVillage Dairy has agreed a new distributionpartnership with Heart Distribution to extend thereach of its products with retailers beyond Wales.The move is in response to both retailer andcustomer demand which has gradually increasedas listings have grown particularly in thedelicatessen market. Heart Distribution will carrythe full Llaeth Y Llan product range and potsizes. Llior Radford, Marketing and CommercialDirector at Village Dairy, says, “The decision togrow our brand presence nationally initiallystemmed from people on social media asking uswhere they could find our products. Heart iscertainly a great opportunity for us to get ourbrand out further afield. They are known forrepresenting the best small producers and youcan see we are in good company.”Part of the Blakemore Group, Heart Distributionworks with over 180 small food producers tobring more than three thousand product lines tomarket.Rod and Ben’s launches two newtasty lunchpots Rod and Ben’s,purveyors of fineDevonshire soups, havelaunched two new organiclunch pots that are packedfull of nutritious naturalingredients - Spiced ThaiButternut Squash, andPasta, Bean andMushroom. Both are low insalt, dairy-free and suitable for vegetarians, and make the perfectlunchtime filler. There are four exciting Rod and Ben’s meal-in-a-pot flavours tochoose from – the new flavours adding to the Three Bean VegetableChilli and Minestrone Stew.Rod Hall of Rod and Ben’s says, “Our new meal pots are filling,sumptuous and wholesome and made from recipes that have been keptas simple as possible so that each ingredient’s integrity - colour, flavour,texture and nutritional value - is preserved. Our meal pots make a reallyhearty meal and are perfect if you’re away from home and wantsomething tasty in an instant. It doesn’t get more convenient than that!”Thai Green Curries get greenerSpeciality food importer anddistributor Bespoke Foods hasunveiled new maximum stand-out,environmentally friendly packaging forits authentic Thai Taste brand, which isthe fastest growing brand in the Thaicategory.The packaging revamp will see theGreen and Red Curry Thai Taste mealkits changed from the current plasticboxes to stylish, tear off pouches. WithThai food occasions on the increase inUK, the versatile Green and Red CurryPastes, which previously came in tubs,will now be available in re-sealablepouches for easy use and to retainfreshness once opened. Bespoke Foods’ AssociateMarketing Director Carine Gauyetsays, “The sleek pouches not only retain the brand’s authentic character andprovide better on-shelf stand out, but are also easier for consumers to use athome and retailers to manage on-shelf. Most importantly, by reducingpackaging we are making the brand greener, which is extremely important toThai Taste’s customer base and Bespoke Foods.”11:Layout 1 23/5/14 08:01 Page 1companies that they feelmight be committing fraudor putting people at risk dueto a fault at some point intheir supply chain ordistribution, it is moreimportant than ever forcompanies in the foodindustry to clean up their act and ensurethat they are fully accountable for all thefood that passes through their premises. Software like ours is available to helpmanagers monitor everything from supplychains to customer complaints, allowingthem to act quickly to minimise problemsand then demonstrate to any investigatorsthat the correct action has been taken,rather than being presented to the FSA asnegligent or fraudulent.” Fresh thinkingIt’s the same when it comes totransporting fresh produce, of course. Arecent white paper published by DSVFresh suggested that if you experiencetransport delays then it could mean the12 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netIMPORT AND EXPORTRecent news that the Food StandardsAgency is to increase its powers ofinspection should come as no surprise tofood and drink manufacturers. Over thelast decade, there has been a markedimprovement in standards in bothmanufacturing conditions and supplychain management alike. Theimprovements made in tracking, verifyingand food security in particular mean thatto not have a firm grasp on theseelements can cost companies largecontracts, failed inspections and risks totheir reputation.This is underlined by a recent report bythe FSA’s director of legal strategy whichrecommended that authorities shouldhave the power to seize fraudulent foodsand conduct searches for evidence offraud on company computers and harddrives - powers that will stretch across theentire European Union. Tracey Cranney, Operations Managerof supply chain software providersQADEX, says, “With the FSA seeking tobe given increased powers to investigateend of your present contracts.George Mead, DSV National Head ofPerishables, says, “Fresh produce such asfish and vegetables have a limited shelflife and however you choose to move itneeds to be fast, efficient and planned.”“Choosing how you transport yourproduce is the key to success. Fresh fishremains fresh for a short period of time.Moving it to market requires speed,Continuous improvements in the food and drink importand export industry have driven supply chains to regularlylook into traceability, standards and efficiency. What doesthis mean for you?TrackingprogressOver thelast decade, therehas been a markedimprovement instandards in bothmanufacturing conditionsand supply chainmanagementalike.12-15:Layout 1 22/5/14 09:40 Page 1Food & Drink International 13www.fdiforum.netefficiency and planning. It doesn’t matterwhat fresh produce you deal in, whatreally matters is that you have the bestsolution for keeping it fresh.” DSV recently designated a day atMultimodal to speak to delegates abouttheir fresh food delivery services, with afocus on perishables in particular.A new standardWith so many standards to meet, it’sunsurprising to find that more seem to bebeing developed in order to protect thesupply chain. For example, the first everglobal standard for auditing and15 Seafood processorsMardon are amongthose awarded theBRC Agents andBrokers StandardPHOTO: SGSPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/MAJECZKA12-15:Layout 1 22/5/14 09:40 Page 212-15:Layout 1 22/5/14 09:40 Page 3Food & Drink International 15www.fdiforum.netIMPORT AND EXPORTcertificating agents andbrokers in the food supplychain has been awarded bySGS to a UK basedcompany after more than 18months of development workwith the British Retail Consortium. David Brackston, Technical DirectorBRC Global Standards, says, “The new BRC Agents and BrokersStandard provides an opportunity for companies to demonstratetheir ability to take responsibility for ensuring traceability,transparency and effective management of food safety in theiractivities and provide confidence to their customers.” SGS UK will be the first certification body to award the GlobalStandard for Agents and Brokers on behalf of the BRC to aBritish company. The BRC Global Standard is one of fivestandards for companies in the food supply chain and waslaunched in March 2014. Following the horsemeat scandal in theUK, the BRC identified the weak link in the supply chain as thelack of traceability back to source for food products. Working withretailers and certification bodies, the standard was written toensure full transparency throughout the food industry supplychain.It seems this is the start of a more forward-thinking and openrelationship between manufacturers and their supply chainassociates. No doubt software and related hardware will have toaccommodate changes over the coming years, but it seemseveryone is now at least on the same page and prepared for anysituation. In turn, this should show up shortcomings quick enoughto solve them before scandals or disasters occur. The challengesof logisticsMatthew Deer,Director at UniserveDrinks Logistics, isspeaking at TOCEurope at theseminar session‘Port CentricLogistics: Past,present and future’at PCL Village on24th June.What opportunities does a Port Centric approach create forthe food and drink industry?Port Centric operations can show a significant saving onsupply chain costs and give a major competitive advantage,with lots of other benefits including green initiatives andspeed-to-market. Does the PCL Village and free seminar programme offeran opportunity for logistics professional to find out ifPort Centric is the right approach for them? In my view this provides everyone involved in a betterunderstanding of the Port Centric benefits and realising theopportunities. How can Port Centric Logistics bring cost effectivesolutions to the intralogistics sector?Port Centric is an intelligent solution, it is all about moreeffective supply chain management by reducing the touchpoints of goods, stripping our duplication and maximisingthe efficiencies of getting goods to market and reducing thetime inventories in transit. What do you plan to speak about at PCL? Uniserve Drinks Logistics is seeking to combine greenbenefits with cost savings by providing a 1.5 million sq ftexpansion across the London and Felixstowe ports. These facilities will include a variety of logisticsoperations including the first deep sea port bottlingoperations in the UK which will provide customers with anopportunity to consolidate bulk and the traditional casegoods in one location with excellent transport links via roadas well as rail and equally important via Ro-Ro and feederships to the Northern European markets, offering to exportgoods to the continent via UK based Port Centricoperations.Followingthe horsemeatscandal in the UK, theBRC identified the weaklink in the supply chain asthe lack of traceability backto source for foodproductsPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/MICHAELJUNG12-15:Layout 1 22/5/14 09:40 Page 416 Food & Drink Internationalwww.fdiforum.netTOC EUROPEPort Centric Logistics is a growing approach forfood and drink retailers. An increase in world tradehas contributed towards this, and to a surge indemand for seaport warehousing and logistics realestate. Rather than transporting full containersinland - typically to the UK’s logistics ‘GoldenTriangle’ - from the port by road or rail, PortCentric Logistics offers an optimised approach thatcan save time and money for certain supply chainmodels. Seminar sessionsRunning as part of the Port Centric LogisticsVillage is a free three-day seminar programmedesigned specifically for retailers and manufacturers.The programme will explore the current challengesand opportunities for cost-effective Port CentricLogistics. The PCL conference offers the opportunity tonetwork and do business with other supply chainand logistics professionals, optimise freight andtransportation networks, assess the latesttechnologies and hear UK and international casestudies from ports and shippers. Past and presentThe opening seminar session discusses ’PortCentric Logistics: Past, present and future’. Highfuel prices, environmental concerns, and a need toreduce costs have meant that retailers areincreasingly looking at implementing Port Centricdistribution into their supply chains. Speakers willinvestigate the different options for Port Centriclogistics and the key trends driving this distributionmodel in the UK and Europe.Speakers for this initial seminar include MatthewDeer, Director at Uniserve Drinks Logistics, whowill be discussing the company’s expansion acrossthe London and Felixstowe ports.Other seminars include ‘Logical Logistics:Utilising port property and real estate to enhanceyour supply chain’, ‘Intra Logistics: Utilising newtechnologies for more productive warehousing andlogistics operations’ and ‘Last Mile Logistics:Distribution, transportation & collaboration’.Whether you utilise a PCL model or not, the PCL2014 seminar sessions will be relevant for supplychain professionals with an interest in streamliningtheir intralogistics and transportation operations. For full details of the free 3-day PCL seminarprogramme at TOC Europe go to www.tocevents-europe.com/PCLA PortCentricapproachA new event for the intralogistics and supply chainindustry - the Port Centric Logistics Village - will berunning as part of TOC Europe 2014, which takes placeat London’s ExCeL on 24th to 26th June.16:Layout 1 22/5/14 09:34 Page 1Food & Drink International 17www.fdiforum.netWAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTIONThe importance of safety and securitynow dominates the supply chain, and thatmeans companies need to ensure theirstaff are able to cope with all thechallenges and tasks that are thrown atthem. This requires extensive training andknowledge refreshment for those who arewell-established in the industry, as well asensuring a steady stream of new entrantsinto the sector.The latter is hugely important as theaverage age of employees rises and manyare lost to the sector through retirement.That’s why, for the second year running,the Freight Transport Association werethe title partner for the everywoman inTransport & Logistics Awards, whichwere launched seven years ago to raiseawareness of the varied and rewardingcareers available to women in thetransport and logistics sector, with the aimof increasing the number of womenconsidering the industry as a careerchoice.FTA’s Chief Executive Theo de Pencierwas a member of the judging panel for the2014 Awards. He says, “These awardsacknowledge the work of women in theindustry, and showcase how others canmake a career in transport a successfuland fulfilling one. We are pleased toencourage forward thinking companiesthat are committed to introducingdiversity to the freight industry, andworking further with everywoman offersFTA opportunities to expand that work.The key for our industry is to be able toaccess a wider talent pool to be able tomeet its need for good quality staff inwhichever role it needs to fill.”The awards were recently presentedduring a glamorous ceremony at London’sSavoy Hotel and a number of majorcompanies, such as Sainsburys and Tesco,were represented in the winners, whileother blue chip companies such as Asda,DHL and Wincanton sponsored theindividual awards – testament to theimportance of encouraging diversity andnew talent across the industry.Also emphasising the value of skills inthe sector is the latest initiative by theRTITB, the workplace transports trainingaccrediting body, who are illustrating theways employers can reduce risk andimprove safety in their day-to-dayoperations. 19 The Freight Transport Association everywoman in Transport& Logistics Awards aim to raise awareness of the variedand rewarding careers available to women in logisticsA steady stream ofsuccessNew talent and new technology is driving up standards in distribution17-21:Layout 1 22/5/14 09:42 Page 1Mercedes-Benz Used 1:Checked inside out - guaranteed.Approved Used Vans & Services from Mercedes-Benz.Quality Seal?All really good vans boast the three-pointed star. The best used ones get a special seal of approval as well: The Mercedes-Benz Used 1 Quality Seal stands for quality in every detail, for an exclusive range of additional services and for attractive terms and conditions.Change your vehicle now – it’s easy and risk–free – to a van with a Mercedes-Benz used vehicle warranty.www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/vans17-21:Layout 1 22/5/14 09:42 Page 2Food & Drink International 19www.fdiforum.netWAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTIONWhat benefits can a KLIMATEdoor bring to you?Affordable to purchase, operate and maintainReliable and robust for everyday operationsDurable to withstand timeEfficient for conserving energyNationwide technical support serviceTrouble free diagnostic control panelT: 0870 607 5050sales@klimate.co.uk www.klimate.co.ukKlimate High Speed Doors part of BID Group LtdRTITB’s Training Recommendations for Workplace Transportprovide employers, operators and instructors with acomprehensive guide to the essentials of operator training, andthat hope is that, by making this information easily available,employers and operators will be able to make the right choicesabout training and help the industry take steps towards a safer,more productive future. Laura Nelson, Operations Director atRTITB, says, “What we wanted to do was pull all theinformation together in one place where it could be quicklylooked up and understood.”One example of a major company investing in training fortheir distribution staff, in all aspects from farm to fork, comesfrom Iceland Foods who have made a £250,000 investment in aCentre of Excellence, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz. This goesalongside the move by Iceland in replacing the 1300 vanscurrently assigned to their home delivery operation withMercedes-Benz Sprinter 313 CDI chassis cabs fitted withtemperature-controlled box bodies.Centre of Excellence Training Manager Simon Pill says, “Ourdrivers are ambassadors for Iceland and never more so thanwhere online shoppers are concerned, because the doorstepdelivery is likely to be their only direct interaction with arepresentative of our business.” Nearly 1300 of Iceland’s 1600drivers are scheduled to attend this course during the first year,while longer-term staff development initiatives will also beintroduced.Iceland undertook a comprehensive vehicle evaluation exercisebefore committing to Mercedes-Benz. Key to that decision wasthe Sprinter’s reputation for reliability and proven fuel-20 RTITB’s Training Recommendationsfor Workplace Transport provideemployers, operators and instructorswith a comprehensive guide to theessentials of operator training17-21:Layout 1 22/5/14 09:42 Page 3Next >