< Previous10 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net CARLTON FOREST 3PL Q&A Who is Carlton Forest 3PL? Carlton Forest 3PL has been established for almost two decades but has grown exponentially in the last two years. We currently have almost 1.5m sq ft of space across four warehouse locations. We are planning to increase this to a little over 2m sq ft by the end of the year, or very early in 2023. Pleasingly, we remain wholly family owned by Mark Pepper, our Founder and CEO. In addition to the 3PL division of the business we also operate across property and renewables. Our Worksop site is also home to the UKs first continuous pyrolysis plant for end-of- life tyres. It’s a rather seismic diversification, but one that is very close to Mark’s heart and his intent to leave a legacy that provides a circular solution to recovering waste tyres. How does Carlton Forest 3PL help its customers? Carlton Forest 3PL is quite unique when compared with its competitors and flexibility is what makes the difference. The logistics and warehousing solutions that we offer are far from standard. We’re bespoke, we deliver personal service, and we offer agile, tailor-made solutions that meet our client’s needs. As the dynamics of the supply chain continues to shift and face myriad challenges, including the continued rise of online sales - figures suggested a further increase of 9% (£10 billion) in online sales for 2022 – there is little wonder that agility and adaptability remains key when delivering the best warehouse solutions. Our approach allows us to respond quickly to customer needs, both existing and new, and deliver an integrated fulfilment solution. This is achieved through building strong relationships with our customers that enable us to gain a detailed appreciation of their business operations and the way its supply chain, logistics, warehousing, and distribution requirements integrate into the strategic aims of the business. Choosing a flexible warehouse solution from Carlton Forest 3PL allows customers to: • Flex their requirements to meet demand • Have a dedicated, tailor-made solution to meet exact needs • Enjoy a designated point of contact and liaison with the wider team that deliver the contract • Gain detailed reporting from our warehouse management system • Our business model is driving success, and our integration with the wider supply chain network allows us to be a team player in delivering exactly what businesses require. What services do you provide? As providers of so many elements of Q&A Independent 3PL providers and the part they play in your business An ever-increasing number of businesses in the food and drink sector are realising the advantages that using an independent 3PL provider can bring to supply chain efficiencies. We ask David Hutchings, Business Development Director at Carlton Forest 3PL, a renowned 3PL provider, how they operate and why outsourcing warehousing, storage and logistics solutions can pay dividends for businesses. 10-11.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 13:59 Page 1Food & Drink International 11 www.fdiforum.net CARLTON FOREST 3PL Q&A logistics and warehousing solutions, we offer everything from freight forwarding to storage and pick and pack. A dedicated fleet of vehicles adds transport services into the mix making the solutions we offer seamless. Most recently we upgraded the container service we offer. Our new Fast Track container solution tackles some of the container issues that business is facing in that it allows businesses to choose from an enhanced range of services to suit their requirements and support them with a complete container solution. It provides services that will help businesses to find a quicker way of unloading containers into a supply chain network, choose certain products to replenish stock, reduce marshalling space in their own warehouses and store containers ‘off-dock’. Our container service gives control back to business as far as practically possible, and helps them to manage their warehouse, stock levels, and supply chain in a more pro-active way. Furthermore, we are lower tier COMAH registered site and BRC AA accredited at our Bawtry Park giving customers peace of mind and visibility. How do you support the Food and Drink Industry? Many customers across the businesses portfolio fall within the food and drink industry and this encompasses all aspects from food packaging to the products themselves. Just recently we announced a contract extension with KP foods for their popcorn products. Whilst we have client confidentially on others, around 30% of our operational capabilities supports the food and drink sector. As a food and drink industry business, choosing Carlton Forest means that you would work with a 3PL provider that understands the dynamics of the industry, the fast pace at which it moves and the need to offer flexibility and deliver a strong service. Benefits that we can bring to the industry include: • Improving cost efficiencies – choosing us can alleviate additional costs such as securing warehousing space, employing staff and managing a fleet. • Improving warehouse and stock management efficiencies – our sophisticated warehouse management system (WMS) ensures your products are in the right place at the right time and in the right volumes • Clearer business focus – Without having to focus on warehousing and logistics many businesses find they can focus on their core business operations more clearly What does the future look like for Carlton Forest 3PL? Incredibly positive. The future acquisitions pipeline of business and property is strong and in 2023 it is entirely probable that our current sq ft will increase by 50%. Our executive board and senior leadership team are committed and driven, and the family-owned nature of the business allow decisions to be made much quicker than at some of our larger competitors. This fleet of foot management style allows us to seize opportunities when they arise and secure those opportunities in much shorter timescales than others. This translates into the way that we do business with our customers. Enquires are expedited speedily, transparency is given at all stages, and the entire team work together to deliver customer contracts with their experience, knowledge, and skills. To discover the benefits they could bring to your business contact David Hutchings, Business Development Director, Carlton Forest 3PL – David.hutchings@carltonforestg roup.com or visit online at www.carltonforestgroup.com 10-11.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 13:59 Page 212 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:01 Page 1Food & Drink International 13 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT © stock.adobe.com/Negro Elkha While the UK has continued to see its fair share of import and export disruption this year, promising figures, new trade deals and schemes show a positive future. W ith port strikes and congestion, rising costs, and the need for further Brexit improvements presenting continued complications for UK food and drink exporters and importers, new figures have shown positive progress for the nation. Exports to both EU (worth £6.4bn) and non-EU (worth £5bn) markets exceeded pre-COVID levels for the first time in the first half of 2022, according to figures released by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF). The growth has been attributed to skyrocketing sales to Australia, France and India and increasing demand for quality British products like chocolate, which was the UK’s largest exported food product in the first half of 2022, worth £368m, up 12% since 2021, with sales to many non- EU markets expanding quickly. 14 Á 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:01 Page 214 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT The FDF’s Trade Snapshot highlights significant growth in food and drink exports in non-EU markets set for UK trade deals, particularly with the UAE (30%), Canada (23.4%), Australia (16.6%), and India (81%), with India entering the UK’s top 20 markets for the first time, driven by strong sales of whisky, gin, and breakfast cereals. The Food and Drink Federation’s head of international trade, Dominic Goudie, said: “It is promising to see exports to EU and non-EU markets top pre- pandemic levels given the exciting opportunities presented by new trade deals with Canada, Australia, India and the Gulf Cooperation Council. These are vital to driving future growth in the UK food and drink sector. Our industry continues to show resilience in the face of multiple challenges including the war in Ukraine and sharply rising costs. It is important the Government supports food and drink exporters to help us drive further growth in new markets that will support the UK’s economic recovery.” A rise in imports meanwhile is dominated by the EU (worth £19.2bn), remaining a key trade partner due to its close geographical proximity, which is essential for short shelf life ingredients and just in time supply chains. This however has been influenced by changes in the recording of official UK import data from the start of 2022. Furthermore, all of the UK’s top ten imported products have grown since 2021, now exceeding pre-COVID levels, and sterling depreciation is pushing up the costs of imports with for example a 29% increase in the value of wine imports equating to an 8% rise in imported volumes. As the UK continues to establish new trade deals following its exit from the EU, such as the aforementioned deals with the UAE, Canada, Australia, and India, it has also launched a new drive to “demolish bureaucratic barriers” to international trade, opening up markets worth tens of billions for UK businesses. A list of around 100 priority issues around the world currently blocking British trade are being targeted, such as restrictions on meat exports to 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:01 Page 3Food & Drink International 15 www.fdiforum.net IMPORT AND EXPORT countries in Asia. This includes removing barriers to open the Chinese market for UK lamb for the first time, unlocking markets worth £1.5bn, and removing restrictions on UK beef in South Korea for the first time, opening up markets worth £2.5bn. The latter of these is expected to be resolved within the next five years. These proposals come after the resolution of hundreds of barriers over the last two years, for instance the unblocking of difficult processes in Mongolia which prevented the export of UK poultry and fish, opening up a market worth £10m. While the UK looks to increase its own exports, a recent move has also seen it use its “post-Brexit powers” to form “one of the world’s most generous trading schemes with developing countries today.” The new Developing Countries Trading Scheme has been launched, extending tariff cuts to hundreds of more products exported from developing countries, supposedly going further than the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences. This is in addition to the thousands of products that developing countries can already export to the UK duty-free and will mean 99% of goods imported from Africa under the scheme will enter the UK duty free. The scheme means a large variety of products that are not widely produced in the UK, including olive oil and tomatoes, will benefit from lower or zero tariffs. It is said the Developing Countries Trading Scheme ensures British businesses can benefit from over £750 million per year of reduced import costs, enabling more choice and lower costs for UK consumers. The scheme covers 65 countries across Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas including some of the poorest countries in the world. It removes some seasonal tariffs, meaning more options for British supermarkets and shops all year round. Cucumbers, for example, which cannot be grown in the UK in the winter, will now be tariff- free during this period for most countries in the scheme. Moreover, the scheme simplifies complex trade rules such as rules of origin, indicating what proportion of a product must be made in its country of origin. © stock.adobe.com/Alexey Novikov 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:01 Page 416 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net LOGISTICS L ogistics continues to be a major challenge for those in the food industry. Following Coronavirus- connected disruptions and Brexit came growing port congestion and labour shortages, strikes, the ‘Great Resignation’, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and soaring fuel prices amongst other increasing costs, while consumer demand continues to ebb and flow. Supply chain chaos has given rise to a plethora of problems including material and product shortages, and a rise in food fraud by those taking advantage of disruption. With myriad uncertainties and difficulties to overcome, an efficient supply chain and stringent planning is essential, utilising modern technology to improve food logistics, to allow goods to reach customers, avoiding empty shelves, and maintain product safety. Use of analytics, data, and digital twins to inform decision making, smart sensors for better visibility, automation and AI to address labour shortages, and digitised processes overall are chief among these, enhancing logistics processes, whether this be in transport, handling or storage. Here Food & Drink International dives into a few of these pieces of tech and some of their applications. With the food industry’s supply chain often complex and globe-crossing, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors are being wielded within food logistics to gain insight into and verify what is happening as goods travel through the supply chain. While food logistics previously relied on paper records and manual checks, smart sensors can constantly monitor shipments, equipment, product environment, and more, sharing real time data, which is particularly important for perishables, where the conditions of products need to be reported at all stages of the supply chain. Though smart sensors can be used to gather information at any time, they Future proofing logistics With the complexity of food logistics only growing, investing in modern technology is critical. Future proofing logistics 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:03 Page 1Food & Drink International 17 www.fdiforum.net LOGISTICS © stock.adobe.com/enanuchit also offer real time alerts to any shifts in conditions to allow quick action to prevent failures that could harm the bottom line and disrupt the flow of goods. With a wide breadth of applications, IoT sensors could be used with products on the move or in storage to indicate where goods are, if there is a change in temperature, humidity, light, or other elements or shocks that could damage goods, highlight abnormalities in refrigerators, freezers, and other equipment and machinery before they become noticeable to allow for maintenance, and IoT sensors can also send alerts of when products leave certain areas to assure managers that goods are moving as planned or indicate possible delays. Furthermore, sensors on vehicles can be applied to monitor and collect data on speed, fuel consumption, tyre pressure, driver behaviour, et al., to improve these, which all impact emissions, a crucial consideration in transport logistics today. Enabling better tracking and monitoring in real time, smart sensors provide a wealth of data and facilitate real time analytics and actionable insights, giving the power to make business decisions that impact profitability and continually optimise operations. In collecting data from sensors and presenting it concisely, a holistic approach to logistics management is offered. With such a large pool of data now available to logistics professionals thanks to IoT technology, for its use cloud supply chain applications and scalable cloud architecture are vital, for live access, continuous updates such as on stock levels, for processing sensor data, sending it to the end user through a desktop or smartphone application, and allowing for access to information from anywhere and real time data exchange 18 Á 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:03 Page 218 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net LOGISTICS to facilitate decision making. Concurrently, integrating tech like AI and machine learning is important for analysing sensor data for insights, spotting small details, patterns and trends, and to unlock the value in this data to drive improvements and better management decisions. Cloud-based software has wide applications for logistics businesses and can streamline their workflows, store and share information quicker and more securely. Myriad aspects can be integrated in the cloud from order management to transport management, visibility, and back-office processes. Cloud can bring together and offer all the physical logistics and digital technology that are required in a scalable way and has the ability to host applications that automate processes. While AI and machine learning can analyse data from sensors throughout the supply chain to enhance logistics, they also present other opportunities to boost profit and productivity. With calculation of demand becoming more complex, AI can consider real-time data on sales, seasonal fluctuations, and abnormal demand patterns, and forecast inventory needs. One might use an aspect of AI called intelligent order promising (IOP) which helps companies prioritise customers, anticipate market fluctuations, and create a proactive plan for handling disruption prior to a crisis. Moreover, with external traffic data, road conditions and weather, AI can provide information on the best transport routes and do so in real time, and going further, AI-driven platforms can notify stakeholders in preparation for product arrival. Another useful branch of AI is natural language processing (NLP). With far reaching supply chains, food logistics can quickly be affected by an event on the opposite side of the world. However NLP can be utilised to warn against possible problems. NLP involves web scraping, where the tech searches for key terms in news articles, videos, and websites, uncovering information that may prove essential to the smooth running of logistics processes. With the supply chain itself containing masses of data, web scraping is also key in analysing shipping, order and fulfilment documents to gain insights. NLP also makes use of social listening for social media, reviews and on forums and customer service channels, evaluating if the public is speaking positively or negatively about aspects of the supply chain. From this one can gather information on customer pain points and pinpoint the areas of the chain needing review. AI of course has a place in automating many repetitive tasks and back-office work too, something that should be high on the agenda for logistics professionals looking to bolster reliability of distribution and efficiency of facilities. Hyper automation is core to future proofing logistics, and it is being implemented across the entire chain, whether this involves procurement, demand planning, training, fulfilment and more. Robotics and automation such as automated guided vehicles are being employed to lower labour expenses, enhance productivity, and can offer end to end tracking of goods. Meanwhile, with huge inventories to manage, solutions like robotic process automation can be exploited to automate repetitive inventory management processes like data entry and data processing, helping optimise the process. Systems tracking food inventory for example can utilise computer vision to record inventory data without error, automatically identifying contents of pallets, and bypassing tedious data entry, enabling products to be tracked at every stage by scanning them. Software can be further connected to dashboards to provide notifications on product status in real time, including information on expiration and location. Additionally pilotless drones have hit headlines, using GPS trackers and moving through warehouse aisles to automate inventory count, detect damage to goods and errors. These represent just a handful of the opportunities for increased automation in food logistics. A virtual representation of a physical object, or part of a supply chain, digital twins are also helping in logistics planning. This could for instance replicate a warehouse, inventory, vehicle, or product. Though in the past trial and error were used to test scenarios and changes to these, managers can now employ visual simulations. This might be wielded to predict the impacts of process changes before implementing them, identify bottlenecks, or assess the impact of alterations to temperature, humidity, 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:03 Page 3D Davies Turner Celebrating 150 years of pioneering service YEARS Food & Drink International 19 www.fdiforum.net LOGISTICS oxygen, and CO2 levels on products, to gain insights for planned changes and find solutions when unwanted ones could threaten product quality. On a grander scale companies are creating digital twins of entire road and rail networks, and the technology is also assisting in inventory control, with digital twins to analyse and predict human behaviour, enabling companies to monitor trends and respond. There is also a place for the tech in prototyping new product varieties and indicating how consumers may react, as well as helping professionals in food logistics establish the best form of packaging to allow products to travel with less damage risk. © stock.adobe.com/Hor 16-19.qxp_Layout 1 26/09/2022 14:03 Page 4Next >