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JANUARY 2025 • ISSUE 14 Revolutionizing Food and Beverage Production Through Automation Automation Transforming Sorting and Weighing Sorting & Weighing Maximizing Efficiency: A Guide to Modern Facilities Management Facilities Management BUSINESS Engineering EngineeringFood and Beverage Business, the leading B2B platform serving the food and beverage industry with timely insights, trends, and invaluable resources. Adding to the magazine we have monthly traffic of over 150,000+ visitors (Google GA4 verified) and a subscribed newsletter that reaches more than 13,000+ dedicated professionals, we offer a unique avenue for brand exposure within the industry. foodandbeverage.business Expand your marketing reach BUSINESS Expand your marketing reachContents January 2025 4 News 10 Import & Export 14 Automation 18 Engineering 22 Facilities Management 26 Sorting & Weighing 30 Events Editorial: UK & Europe: editorial-ukeurope@foodandbeverage.business North America: editorial-northamerica@foodandbeverage.business Europe & Rest of World: editorial-eurow@foodandbeverage.business Sales: sales@foodandbeverage.business Events: events@roodandbeverage.business Finance & Admin: accounts@foodandbeverage.business Design: studio@foodandbeverage.business Where you see a QR code, it will take you to a longer version of that printed piece. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisherReRooted, an organic plant-based milk manufacturer in Totnes, Devon, has enhanced its sustainability efforts with the installation of a Panasonic CR Series 4HP cold chain solution. Using the eco- friendly refrigerant R744 (CO2) with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just 1, the system was installed by Keep It Cool Refrigeration to support ReRooted’s growing production demands. Founded in 2018 by Richard Eckersley, ReRooted produces 40,000 glass-bottled, dairy-free milk alternatives monthly, following a sustainable model that reuses returned bottles. To meet rising demand, the company required a new cold room aligned with its environmental ethos. Keep It Cool Refrigeration specified the Panasonic solution, which offers high energy efficiency and low emissions while maintaining optimal temperatures. “The Panasonic unit perfectly aligns with our sustainability values and has exceeded expectations with its power and quiet operation,” said Richard. Compact and efficient, the unit operates at noise levels as low as 33dB(A), making it ideal for indoor use. Designed for various applications, Panasonic’s R744 (CO2) technology ensures reliable performance even in extreme conditions. Plant based milk manufacturer turns to Panasonic for its sustainable refrigeration solution NEWS Peak Rock-backed Ziyad Brothers Acquires Indo- European Foods In a significant development in the ethnic food sector, Indo-European Foods (IEF), a prominent US-based company, has been acquired by Ziyad Brothers for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition marks an important milestone in the growth trajectory of both firms. Established in 1966, Indo-European Foods operates its business from Commerce, California, specializing in the import and distribution of food products from the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East regions. Notable brands under its umbrella include the spreads, dips, and pickles brand Zeergut, as well as Al Wadi, known for its houmous and chickpeas, and Hellema, which produces biscuits and cookies. Jana Partners Critiques Leadership Transition at Lamb Weston Jana Partners, an activist investor in the US-based French fries manufacturer Lamb Weston, has publicly criticized the company’s recent decision to appoint its COO as the new CEO. On December 19, Lamb Weston announced that Michael Smith will assume the roles of CEO and president effective January 3. Smith will take over from Tom Werner, who is stepping down as both CEO and board member but will stay on in an advisory role until August. FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 4BUSINESS Kickstart the New Year With a BANG! It’s Time To Start Thinking About Your 2025 Marketing Strategy. W: foodandbeverage.business E: john@foodandbeverage.businessNEWS Wincanton has solidified its long-term partnership with Britvic by extending their agreement for another decade. This renewed contract, which will carry their collaboration into its 40th year, will enable Wincanton to continue providing essential storage and distribution services for popular brands such as R White’s, Robinsons, J2O, and Tango until 2034. In recent years, Wincanton has significantly invested in automation technology to enhance productivity, capacity, and capability at Britvic’s national distribution center located in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. The partnership will also encompass the management of Britvic’s fully automated warehouse facility in Rugby, Warwickshire. Together, these two sites are poised to dispatch an impressive total of 650,000 cases of Britvic products each day, showcasing the efficiency and scale of operations. James Hurrell, managing director of grocery and consumer at Wincanton, expressed pride in the extended agreement by stating, “Extending our long-standing relationship with Britvic into its fourth decade is a proud milestone for Wincanton as we see our partnership with one of the UK’s most popular beverage manufacturers go from strength-to-strength. We are looking forward to investing in a resilient and innovative platform for growth for Britvic in the UK, underpinned by our shared values around people, planet, and performance.” Britvic Renews 10-Year Contract with Wincanton AHDB and GB Potatoes Forge New Partnership Agreement The potato sector is poised for significant advancements with the initiation of seven industry projects, backed by residual levy reserves. This development follows the formal grant agreement recently established between the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and GB Potatoes. Earlier this year, AHDB’s board recommended this strategic move, which has now received official approval. This decision came in light of the winding down of levy payer activities within the potato sector and has garnered support from key potato membership organizations across the industry. As Scott Walker, the Chief Executive of GB Potatoes, remarked, “Following the wind up of AHDB Potatoes, the sector has continued to face a number of serious challenges, including threats from disease and the ongoing issue of access to necessary plant protection products.” His statement underscores the pressing needs the industry faces. In addition, Walker emphasized the importance of this new grant, stating, “This grant will kickstart new initiatives and galvanise existing projects that have previously operated on an annual, uncertain basis. It offers a foundation to transform key industry projects and develop a sustainable, industry-funded model for initiatives that are critical to the future of the potato sector.” Hellmann: Martin Habisreitinger appointed COO Airfreight Hellmann is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Habisreitinger as Chief Operating Officer (COO) Airfreight with effect from February 1, 2025. He will succeed Jan Kleine-Lasthues, who, after 13 successful years with Hellmann, has decided to pursue other opportunities. Martin Habisreitinger will report to Madhav Kurup, who will assume the position of Chief Operating Officer Airfreight, Seafreight, and Contract Logistics on the Global Management Board at the beginning of next year. Martin Habisreitinger brings over 20 years of experience in global airfreight management, having held senior roles at Kühne & Nagel, DB Schenker, and most recently DHL Global Forwarding, where he served as Vice President for Starbroker Asia Pacific. FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 6NEWS Nestlé Expands GLP- 1 Initiative with New Protein Shots Nestlé is expanding its offerings to target users of GLP-1 medications in the United States by launching a new line of protein shots. The company has introduced Boost Pre-meal, a liquid shot specifically designed to assist individuals using GLP-1 receptor agonists or other weight-loss medications. According to Nestlé’s Chief Technology Officer, Stefan Palzer, these “limited edition” shots aim to help manage hunger and enhance satisfaction when consumed prior to meals. The Boost brand’s official website indicates that these shots are available for purchase on Amazon and at CVS stores, with the Amazon listing showcasing 125ml shots sold in packs of four. Earlier this year, Nestlé also announced plans to release a range of meals in the U.S. that are tailored to complement the use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications. This strategic move aligns with the trending demands in the food and beverage industry, where health-oriented products are increasingly sought after amidst the growing consumer focus on wellness and weight management. UK Government Confirms October 2027 Deadline for DRS in England and Northern Ireland The UK government has announced new regulations concerning the establishment of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in England and Northern Ireland. This significant commitment was officially presented in parliament, signaling a proactive approach to waste management. On 25 November, the government made public a document outlining these regulations, which are set to “come into force on 1 October 2027.” This timeline marks a critical step towards enhancing recycling efforts and reducing litter. Anticipated to become law by January 2025, these regulations will allow the government to proceed with the appointment of Deposit Management Organisations later this year. In related news, the Welsh Government has opted out of the UK-wide DRS this month and intends to implement its own initiative. Oatly, headquartered in Sweden, plans to close its Singapore manufacturing facility. This decision is part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing costs and steering its oat-drinks business toward profitability. Oatly anticipates incurring an impairment charge due to this closure, estimating a non-cash component of about $20-25 million in the final quarter of its current fiscal year ending in 2024. Additionally, the associated restructuring and “other exit costs” Oatly to Shut Down Singapore Facility Amid Ongoing Cost-Cutting FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 7 will incur further net cash outflows of approximately $25- 30 million through 2027, according to a statement released by the dairy-alternatives company on December 18. Notably, the Singapore site is part of Oatly’s newly restructured Europe and International division. This regional change follows the spinning off of China from the Asia business region into a standalone unit, which occurred in January. With this transition, Oatly will operate five manufacturing plants: two in the United States, alongside one each in Sweden, the Netherlands, and China. SIPA Boosts Affordability and Sustainability in Large PET Bottle Manufacturing SIPA’s research and development team has engineered what it describes as a groundbreaking large-format PET mineral water bottle that provides significant cost savings and environmental benefits, emphasizing innovations in food and beverage packaging. The eight-litre bottle boasts a 38-mm neck, which is identical to the five-litre version. This thoughtful design streamlines production processes, enabling swift transitions between the two sizes while minimizing downtime, according to SIPA. Traditionally, large bottle manufacturers have employed wider necks for 8-litre formats, typically around 48 mm, which are also used for 10-litre bottles. Consequently, switching formats necessitates changing both the bottle body and neck moulds, increasing production time. Notably, SIPA’s novel approach eliminates this issue by utilizing a 38-mm neck for both five-litre and eight-litre bottles. In a strategic move within the food manufacturing sector, international agricultural processor and merchant Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has entered into a binding agreement to acquire BASF’s Food and Health Performance Ingredients business. Headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, LDC operates in over 100 countries across 180 locations. With this acquisition from BASF, LDC will integrate a production site and R&D center in Illertissen, Germany, as well as three additional application labs located outside of Germany. BASF’s Food and Health Performance Ingredients division encompasses various food performance ingredients, including Louis Dreyfus Company Purchases BASF’s Food and Health Performance Ingredients Division NEWS FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 8 Quality Street Emerges as Top Consumer Choice for Christmas Quality Street has emerged as the leading brand for gifting this season, showcasing a remarkable 38% increase in popularity among voters aged 25-34 compared to the previous year. This surge reinforces the brand’s prominence in the holiday confectionery market. Furthermore, 50% of Brits reported purchasing tubs of chocolate during Christmas, citing they are ‘great for sharing.’ Additionally, 44% of individuals opt for Christmas confectionery pouches to enjoy with family and friends, indicating a strong communal aspect to festive celebrations. Regarding sustainability, 65% of consumers believe it is somewhat to very important for heritage brands to take significant actions towards sustainability during the holiday season. aeration and whipping agents, food emulsifiers, and fat powder grades. It also features health ingredients like plant sterols esters, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and omega-3 oils for human nutrition, along with several smaller product lines. BASF acknowledged that its Food and Health Performance Ingredients portfolio is essential for addressing emerging trends in human nutrition. However, the company stated that this business lacks sufficient synergies with its core operations, ultimately leading to its decision to pivot away from this area.FOODANDBEVERAGE.BUSINESS • 9 NEWS “I am excited to announce that we can now provide Sustainability Passports for most of our plastic packaging products, calculating the cradle to gate CO2e values.” In a competitive marketplace, packaging has to efficiently protect food, while attracting customers, but there is an increasing focus on its sustainability credentials. Many claims are made, but Greiner Packaging UK & Ireland asks: ‘How do you know the CO2e impact of your plastic packaging?’, and goes on to question how you can properly know what percentage of post-consumer waste a pack contains, will it be liable for the UK plastic packaging tax, and does it have EU food approval? “We are convinced that sustainable economic success can only be achieved with innovative strength and ecological and social responsibility,” says Sustainability and Innovation Manager Rachel Sheldon. “For the last few years, we have been working hard and investing heavily to ensure we are manufacturing the most sustainable packaging solutions, and providing the relevant third-party certifications to back up every claim that we make.” How do you know the CO2e impact of your plastic packaging? “Calculating the „carbon footprint“ of packaging has become increasingly important, and wherever possible, we have been determined to be able to prove what we have achieved, product by product,” says Rachel Sheldon. Greiner Packaging asks: How do you know the CO2e impact of your plastic packaging? Unilever Divests Unox and Zwan Brands Unilever, a leading multinational corporation, has revealed its intention to divest long-established brands Unox and Zwan to the Dutch company Zwanenberg Food Group. Both brands have been integral to Unilever for nearly a century, providing valuable contributions to the food and beverage industry. Unox, a prominent Dutch brand known for its meat, soup, and noodles, has been associated with Unilever since 1937. Similarly, the Belgian meat brand Zwan has been under the Unilever umbrella since 1928, representing strong consumer connections in their respective markets. Unilever states that the divestiture aligns with its strategy to ‘sharpen its foods portfolio’ and concentrate on larger brands that foster long-term growth and scalability. The focus will shift towards categories such as cooking aids, condiments, and mini meals, reflecting current food manufacturing trends. Lidl’s Investments Set to Surpass Five-Year Goal by £6 Billion Lidl UK, the prominent discounter, has proudly announced its ambitious plan to invest a total of £21 billion in the British food industry. This commitment not only surpasses its original five-year pledge of £15 billion but also represents a remarkable 40% increase. Initially, Lidl had pledged to invest £15 billion by the end of the fiscal year 2024. However, with its new total of £21 billion, the supermarket chain is set to inject an additional £6 billion into the sector. This significant investment clearly underscores Lidl’s unwavering support for British agriculture and food production. In a remarkable show of dedication, Lidl invested approximately £5 billion in the last financial year alone. Currently, around two-thirds of the products in Lidl’s permanent range are sourced from British suppliers. Notably, the retailer proudly boasts that 100% of its fresh everyday dairy items—including milk, butter, eggs, and cream—as well as its meat products such as pork, chicken, and beef, are sourced entirely from British farms.Next >