Food & Drink Matters Issue 162

Bevexpo – Representing the entire supply chain

BevExpo is a free to attend event, open to anybody working within the beverage supply chain. It is an opportunity for the wider beverage industry to meet, learn, discover and share the excellence of products and services supplied at all points of the chain, from start to finish. A mix of networking areas, workshops and knowledge hubs embraced within a showcase area for services and products - delivering a 365 “surround sound” experience of our industry.

This two-day collaborative event brings all sectors of the beverage industry together, enabling manufacturers, suppliers and brand owners to meet, experience and celebrate excellence throughout the supply chain.

BevExpo is a fast paced and exciting event that celebrates achievements and developments within the supply chain. We encourage interactivity and proactiveness and believe that knowledge is key to helping the chain grow and become stronger. 2022 is all about building a smarter network by maximising networking opportunities and increasing engagement and interactivity.

Taste town - bringing together a variety of drinks manufacturers

to showcase their products to the industry.

Workshops - introducing hands on, interactive workshops to offer practical knowledge based learning.

Eat, greet and game - a space to take a break! We are reintroducing our large catering meeting space that will be a part of the social hub within the exhibition hall. You may spot some gaming opportunities whilst you grab your afternoon coffee.

Sustainability program - we are keen to improve our carbon footprint and become a more eco-friendly event with the help of our venue, Manchester Central. Measures such as digital brochures, on demand badge printing with badge recycling, using only recyclable printed materials and offering eco-friendly food and drink packaging are just some of the processes that will be introduced in 2022.

www.bevexpo.com

Booth Dispensers

Established in 1965, Booth Dispensers offers a full range of cooling solutions.

At our facility in the UK, we design and manufacture using state-of-theart technology to exceed the highest standards and provide innovative cooling solutions for the brewing, soft drinks, water and vending industries across the globe.

Our cooling units have been designed for a range of applications from high volume accounts to personalised home setups. Our units boast a first-class build quality, robust construction and attractive finish for durability. Our entire range runs on eco-friendly hydrocarbon gases for improved energy efficiency, helping to save money and the

environment.

We have a completely dedicated repair and remanufacturing centre to breathe life into old and worn-down items. Not only will you receive an exceptional service that’s built around your requirements, we will work according to your budget.

With an exhaustive inventory of essential bar products and accessories at our fingertips and the backing of renowned refrigeration and vending experts, Booth Dispensers has the expertise and the resources to deliver reliable, cost-effective solutions right to your door!

For more information please visit our website www.booth-dispensers. co.uk or give us a call on 01253 501800

Eat My Logo

Eat My Logo have set out on a mission to bring branding into the world of food and drink, giving their clients the ability to provide their tasty, branded products to customers, generating further revenues.

The Lancashire bakery specialises in irresistible fully finished cake, biscuit and chocolate products, branded with a logo or message.They also provide toppers for desserts, cakes and cocktails, allowing chefs and mixologists to add decorative branding to their own creations.

Catering, foodservice and hospitality businesses are now utilising logo branded products as part of their offerings to clients. Popular uses include corporate catering for events

and celebrations as well as branded food and drink offerings within restaurants and bars.

Catering businesses around the UK have been searching for a nationwide supplier of branded cupcakes, biscuits and decorative logo toppers. Eat My Logo fit the bill perfectly, with their range of fully finished products being delivered ready for use. For catering businesses, this has opened up the option for them to sell branded treats as part of their catering packages, generating further revenues.

For restaurants looking to widen their reach, offering Eat My Logo’s social media friendly options have helped get punters through the door. Cake Jars did the trick for executive Chef Dennis Waller, of Steak Cattle & Roll, who noted, “Branded cake jars have made life easier for waiting staff as the product is ready to serve. All round a great product and sells well in my restaurants in Glasgow.” Steak Cattle and Roll have enjoyed increased social media interaction as a result of their use of logo branded food options.

Editor Recommends

The role of water activity in ensuring the safety of ready-to- eat cooked meat products

Ready-to-eat

meat products such as pepperoni and jerky are popular both as a snack and for use as pizza toppings. These products have a particular advantage for customers and retailers in that they can be stored safely at room temperature. This is because the preparation process destroys pathogens and reduces the water activity to a level at which microorganisms cannot grow.

Different pathogens have clearly defined limits of water activity at which they can be sustained; whereas the limit value for Escherichia coil (Ecoli) is 0.95, that for Staphylococcus aureus is 0.88. There are some people who believe reducing the water activity to an even lower level makes a ready-to-eat (RTE) cooked meat product 'safer' but this is not the case. Moreover there are several disadvantages to doing this: further drying removes more water, which can impact on profitability through increased processing costs and the fact that RTE meat products are generally sold by weight; also the reduced water activity can have an adverse affect on the product's tenderness, succulence and palatability.

Clearly water activity has to be closely controlled, as it must be neither too high (which could be unsafe) or too low (which impacts on quality and profitability).

AquaLab benchtop instruments measure the water activity of small (up to 14 ml) samples using the chilled mirror dewpoint method. The latest version, the AquaLab Series 4TE, can even control the temperature, which gives further reassurance that readings are taken on the same basis each time - and across different production sites if necessary. Easy to operate and maintain, the AquaLab provides readings within approximately five minutes to an accuracy of +/-0.003 aw.

Labcell Ltd is the sole UK distributor for the AquaLab, AquaLab Lite and Pawkit instruments, all of which are manufactured in the USA by Decagon Devices.

For more information:

T+44 (0)1420 568150 mail@labcell.com www.labcell.com

Leading metal packaging manufacturers choose Axium Pure Screen Filters

The Pure Screen 316L Stainless Steel Filter manufactured by Axium Process has been selected by leading metal packaging manufacturers by virtue of its ability to reliably filter and recirculate wash water.

The filters provide an essential barrier from contamination, such as metal fragments and other impurities accumulated during can manufacturing. Used during the rinse and wash stage of can production, the Pure Screen Filters ensure water security with environmental benefits and operational savings by recycling the cleaning water for further duties.

Robust and precision manufactured, the wedge wire filter is preferred by industry leaders for its effectiveness and longevity even at high flow rates, offering significant savings against more traditional disposable filtration techniques.

Ideal for backflushing applications and Clean-inPlace (CIP) processes, as well as ‘duty and standby’ arrangements, the Axium Pure Screen Filter offers fast, tool-free filter element change, reducing downtime for

Kissabel® is back!

The exclusive range of apples with crispy red and pink flesh and distinctive flavours is about to return to the shelves about two weeks ahead of schedule, perfect timing for Halloween.

The outcome of more than 20 years of research using solely natural methods, Kissabel® apples are grown in 14 countries on 5 continents and provide the widest assortment of red-flesh apples, characterised by different skin and flesh colours, flavours and harvesting times.

After last season's success, with demand which exceeded supply yet again, growers are preparing for the launch of the 2022 campaign with positive expectations in terms not only of crop volume but also of fruit size, colour and quality. The entire range is to be on sale in the United Kingdom for the first time thanks to producer and British partner Worldwide Fruit, which will also distribute the Rouge variety.

Advertising and marketing to support the start of the sales season are also planned at the global level, from the brand's social media channels, Instagram and Facebook, with photos, interesting facts and original recipes, to the website, with new consumer contents, and through to PR activities for the specialist press. The European partners are expected to achieve their best sales results in the first few months of the sales season.

www.kissabel.com

cleaning and maintenance. The full range of element options are completely interchangeable, bringing flexibility to production lines handling multiple products.

Axium Process specialises in Hygienic Engineering, with outstanding expertise in Filtration and Membrane Separation Technology.

www.axiumprocess.com

Babcock wanson launches high efficiency electric boilers

Industrial process heating equipment and solutions specialist Babcock Wanson has launched two new electric boiler ranges: the VAP EL 400V threephase, 50Hz electric steam boiler, with models from 16 to 360 kW; and the e-Pack industrial electric boiler, with models from 500 to 17,000 KG/H.

VAP EL and e-Pack are environmentally advantageous as they both use electrical energy to boil water and produce steam for process heating. They are configured for high efficiency approaching 100% with only minor standing losses. The boilers start quickly on demand making them ideal for locations where grid power fluctuates - and react well to change of load. Steam can be produced in a matter of minutes depending on the capacity of the boiler. Precise control of steam pressure - 4.5, 7 or 8.5 barg as standard, with higher pressures available on

demand - has been built into the VAP EL, with multi stage and fully modulating input of power. With e-Pack boilers, the NAViNERGY operating system allows both on site and remote monitoring of operating parameters, for maximum convenience.

A benefit to the VAP EL is its compact size that requires minimum space for installation. All models are fully integrated and come with a Babcock Wanson factory tested control system and are fully certified by Babcock Wanson in accordance with the PED for operation throughout Europe.

VAP EL and e-Pack can be used in food processing, but are best suited to locations where electricity is a readily available and low-cost resource, or where it is not feasible to install a fossil fuel fired traditional boiler.

For information visit: www.babcock-wanson.com

New semi-solid white film for pressure sensitive labels

The innovative semi-solid film has an enhanced yield and opacity compared with solid white films.

Innovia Films has developed a high yield, semi-solid, glossy white BOPP film, Rayoface™ JB. This 47 micron film, designed for pressure sensitive labelling (PSL) applications, combines some of the advantages of cavitated and solid films into a semi-solid film. JB47 has a coating receptive surface to allow customers to add their own printable topcoat and has EU and FDA food compliance.

Rayoface™ JB is particularly suitable for use within a wide range of market segments such as Household and

All-female line up announced for eden search & select's emerging leaders programme

An all-female line up of future industry leaders will receive funding and mentoring from senior professionals in the world of agribusiness, and food manufacturing and retail thanks to Eden Search & Select the only specialist international executive search consultancy focused solely across the global food and farming landscape.

Eden Search & Select has shortlisted three female professionals from charities including CHAP, Trussell Trust and i4Agri to work alongside leading figures in retail, the not-for-profit sector and government departments including DEFRA.

The Emerging Leaders scheme is designed to give future leaders, working in charities in the global food supply chain, access to mentoring and funding. Successful applicants can use the funding to pay for an academic qualification, a vocational course, or a research project that will make a genuine difference to the industry they work in.

David Macaulay, Managing Director of Eden Search & Select, said: "Congratulations to our programme participants. While focusing on different parts of the global food supply chain, Ruth, Miranda and Lisa are united in their passion to facilitate innovation and transformation in the areas in which they work."

Dr Ruth Bastow, Innovation Director for CHAP, plans to use her funding to start an MIT Leadership & Innovation course.

Miranda Beebe works at Trussell Trust, and plans to enhance her leadership skills so she can become an agent for change across the Trust's franchised network of food banks.

Dr Lisa Morgans is Head of Livestock for i4Agri and plans to enrol on a facilitation training course run by the International Association of Facilitators.

For all inquiries, please contact us at: natalie@may-fifteen.co.uk

Personal Care, Food and Beverage, and other consumer packaged goods sectors.

Produced at Innovia Films Poland, on their advanced technology 5-layer BOPP line, JB is a superior performance product. Compared to a solid white film it has much better opacity and higher yield. The glossy film surface has excellent compatibility to top-coatings and PSL adhesives and importantly also has EU and FDA food contact compliance.

Stephen Weber, Key Account Director, explains “The semi-solid nature of JB47 means it has some of the advantages of a cavitated film whilst still behaving closer to a solid film. It has the glossy white, high opacity appearance of a cavitated film and a higher yield than a solid white film. Combined these features make JB47 an aesthetically and economically attractive film.”

Rayoface™ JB is available now, so to find out more, contact your local Innovia Films Sales Manager or email labels@innoviafilms.com

www.innoviafilms.com

Miranda Beebe

Dr Ruth Bastow

Dr Lisa Morgans

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Michelle Lam becomes first women of colour to serve on Borough Market's Board of Trustees

On the 24 August 2022 the Trustees of Borough Market announced the appointment of Michelle Lam to the Board of Trustees.

Michelle is a qualified finance professional at Peabody Housing, with over 15 years' experience working in the highly regulated social housing and education sectors. She will work with the Board of Trustees, staff and traders to shape and oversee the future direction of the Market.

Michelle Lam, said: "I came to Black on Board wanting to push myself to become a board member in a role that I am passionate about. I am honoured and energised by the chance to support the Borough Market family and to join a board of such wide-ranging talents. Having worked in the local area for some time, I've always been in awe of London's vibrancy and diversity and I am a big

believer that food has the power to combine cultures and create communities. I look forward to working alongside the other Trustees, staff and traders at London's oldest and most influential food market."

Michelle's new role with Borough Market has come about following the Market's participation in a bespoke pilot programme, Black on Board, with Southwark Council and social enterprise, Olmec. The pilot was developed to address the lack of racial and ethnic diversity on arts boards in the borough and to meet the needs of aspiring trustees from under-represented communities.

Owned by a charitable trust, Borough Market is run by a board of volunteer trustees who oversee the governance of the Market and are committed to supporting the local community around Borough Market.

Partnership brings new cooking opportunities to UK & Ireland

Interfood Technology is extending the offering from its Cooking, Cooling & Pasteurisation Division with the announcement that the company has formed a new partnership with Swiss manufacturer Staedler Automation AG.

Interfood already has a well-established reputation for supplying quality cooking equipment and support services to a number of major food processors in the UK and Ireland. This announcement marks a further investment in this area, bringing on board the Marinox brand under which Staedler machines have been marketed since March 2020. The range includes industrial cooking and cooling equipment, with Interfood adding two continuous cookers and a drum cooker to its existing offering which covers batch cooking, smoking and roasting, drying and fermenting, spiral cooking, linear cooking, flame grilling and barmarking, frying and belt cooking.

Steve Naylor is Interfood’s Divisional Manager for Cooking, Cooling & Pasteurisation and comments – “while we already have an extensive range of machines, we are always looking at potential opportunities to allow us to

cater for more processes required by our customers.”

The CK800 offers an efficient and space-saving solution for cooking with water, and either steam or electric heating options. Easy monitoring of the cooking process is backed with a userfriendly approach to recipe adjustments which can be made in seconds.

The DK950 drum cooker is designed to cook with water, ensuring consistent product quality and no-sticking through controlled turbulence in the cooker. Built-in sensor technology monitors water quality and temperature, eliminating the risk of overcooked or undercooked product.

For more information: www.interfoodtechnology.com

Astech 3.0 Automatic Bandsaw

Interfood has announced its latest offering for processors involved in the cutting of both fresh and frozen products with the launch of a new version of the popular Astech bandsaw.

The Astech SRA 3.0 bandsaw builds on many of the features of the original, with new additions which include a completely new gripping system to minimise product movement and a smaller footprint to optimise space.

Safety is ensured through the blade area being fully enclosed, with the blade stopped during the loading process. Despite the enclosure, the bandsaw’s internal workings have been specifically designed for easy access to ensure simple maintenance. Meeting the requirements of IP67, attention has also been paid to hygiene with a 100% washable and waterproof design. Modifications have been made to optimise cleaning of the product and to avoid the accumulation of debris, with a pump providing pressure to direct water accurately via strategically placed nozzles.

Richard Nethercot is Group Divisional Manager, Low Risk, Butchery Division, at Interfood. He comments – “we always try and listen to customer needs and respond to how the market is evolving. We have fed that back to Astech and this has been reflected in the latest version. For those processors who prefer a fully automated bandsaw operation, the SRA 3.0 offers an impressive performance with the adjustable cutting speed ensuring high quality cuts for either bone-in or boneless products.”

Another feature of the Astech SRA 3.0 bandsaw is the pneumatic tensioner which provides constant tension to the saw blade, further improving cut-quality and reducing the time required to change the blade. Two machines can be controlled by a single operator via an easy to use interface, with the capacity to store up to 50 different recipes.

The SRA 3.0 Automatic Bandsaw by Astech Food Machinery is exclusively available in the UK and Ireland from Interfood Technology’s dedicated Butchery Division.

www.interfoodtechnology.com

NIO Cocktails

After

24 years in the industry, Patrick Pistolesi, master mixologist of NIO Cocktails and founder of the award-winning Drink Kong in Rome, has mastered the art of bartending and at-home mixology. He firmly believes that embracing change is crucial to the success of the new-age bartender.

Pistolesi says the role of the bartender is to understand what people enjoy and guide them through new tastes and experiences, explaining, “I

Bottleproof cocktails release first of their cocktails in environmentally friendly paper bottles

Bottleproof Cocktails, who supply bottled cocktails exclusively to the hospitality trade have started supplying two of their award-winning cocktails in paper bottles.

As from tis month, the bestselling Pornstar Martini and Espresso Martini will be available in 70cl paper bottles.

With sustainability targets high on the agenda at Bottleproof, co-owner Charlie Anderson sees this as a very important step forward.

“The unique paper bottles we have chosen have a 94 % recyclable paperboard outer, are over 10 times lighter than our normal 70cl glass bottle, and have a carbon footprint of around 6 times less than the

glass bottle. What’s more, the weight and compacted size when placed in recycling bins will save venues money on their refuse collection costs”

Bottleproof currently have a range of over 25 cocktails and no-alcohol cocktails available in either single serve 100ml or multi-serve 700ml glass bottles. More of the range are expected to be released in paper bottles over the coming months.

Bottleproof have been supplying the ontrade since 2016 and customers include pubs, restaurants, hotels, theatres and events venues across the UK and beyond.

For more information:

www.bottleproof.co.uk

info@bottleproof.co.uk

always ask a couple of personal questions to kick start the relationship and get to know them. . . Whether they start out with a good or bad day, we want to move people through flavours.”

Pistolesi joined NIO Cocktails in 2017 with a shared mission to drive a cocktail revolution, allowing everyone to enjoy bar-quality cocktails outside of the bar, in the comfort of their homes or public-drinking spaces. Every one of NIO Cocktails’ drinks is designed and crafted by

Pistolesi, and his signature adorns every cocktail.

“The pandemic meant that bartenders had to adapt and be creative which is what we did. NIO Cocktails was never about replacing the role of the bartender, it was all about bringing the drinks to where the bar could not be. You can never replace the relationship in the bar, but you can deliver great drinks to enjoy at home,” he says. www.niococktails.co.uk

Hard Rock ready-to-drink cocktails goes international with London debut

Hard Rock International is expanding the launch of Hard Rock Expert Cocktails across the pond in London, signifying the iconic brand's first ever international distribution of its ready-todrink canned cocktails.

"Hard Rock was born in London so it's with great pride that we expand our ready-to-drink cocktails with the first international taste in our hometown," said Kimberly Manna, the Senior Vice President of Retail and Licensing for Hard Rock International. "We're excited to continue extending our brand and helping fans around the globe to enjoy at home. We were inspired by the world's most loved cocktails and expertly blended them so that our customers can enjoy bartender-like quality, no matter what the venue."

Hard Rock Expert Cocktails: Piña Colada, Mojito and Passion Fruit Martini (5% ABV) are now available for purchase in the U.K. Expanded international distribution in 2022 includes launches in Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Switzerland, Ireland, Germany, Poland, Spain, Portugal, France, Canada,

Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Australia.

Hard Rock International launched Hard Rock Expert Cocktails in the U.S. in 2021.

For more information visit:

www.hardrockcocktails.co.uk

Digital Print Packaging Company Of The Year

Fast and efficient tube, can and digital printing

In this issue of Food & Drink Matters, we are pleased to announce Hinterkopf GmbH as our Digital Print Packaging Company of the Year.

What started out as a small family business in 1962 by Mr and Mrs Hinterkopf, is now known as an international enterprise that has remained a family business for over 60 years. In 1982, Alexander Hinterkopf took over the business from his parents and has grown and developed the company to a point where it now employs over 180 engineers, technicians, customer service team members and innovators.

For more than six decades, Hinterkopf GmbH has been setting the standards in the production and decoration of tubes, cans and sleeves made from aluminium or plastic. Manufacturing mechanically synchronised production lines representing the latest technology combined with the innovation and design capabilities of the Hinterkopf design engineers has enabled the company to transform and develop new lines and machines that deliver a high-volume production of such products.

With the recent rise in small businesses since COVID-19, Hinterkopf GmbH has seen a dramatic increase in sales over the past 12 months. We spoke to Alexander who explained in more detail about the company’s recent growth. “We are in a very exciting period right now, the best we’ve had in over 60 years! Over the past 12 months we have grown by approximately 50% and we are forecast to grow again another 25% next year. So more or less within two years we will have doubled our turnover.”

Headquartered in Eislingen, Germany, Hinterkopf GmbH develops high-quality machines that allow customers in the packaging industry to react optimally and quickly to changing market demands. These machines that are manufactured by Hinterkopf ideally replace the use of a robot. Printing and Lacquering units, Capping Machines, Necking and Trimming Machines, Washing Machines, Accumulators and various special machines are all part of the company’s extensive technology product portfolio.

There are many large manufacturers across the world that dominate and maintain their marketing position in the aerosol can, bottle and beverage can industry. Even though, Hinterkopf GmbH is much smaller, its solutions are reliable, trustworthy and innovative. To date, there are over 20 digital printing machines made by Hinterkopf in operation that through its digital distribution network are located around the world. These machines have proved so popular that the demand has grown so quickly that there are already 20 orders ready to go out next year too. “Each machine takes time to manufacture, and because we only deliver perfection, we can only manufacture one

machine a month. Therefore, you can see why we are growing so fast because we have consistent orders coming in 12 months ahead of time,” stated Alexander.

The manufacturing of such machines is not the only string to the company’s bow, its production lines can be adapted to each individual need and requirement. Meeting both the technical demands and structural features of its customers, from project planning to commissioning of your production line, you can trust Hinterkopf as a general contractor.

As the company expands into new and emerging industries, Alexander mentioned a new customer base that has recently formed. “Before there were large can makers for the big filler companies and for the small fillers there was nothing. We have come across a new industry where small filler companies are now buying wide upright cans from big can makers to use for their custom printed cans. Because they only require small batches, from 12 – 500, this has created an entirely new industry and style of customer for us as we can cater to these small businesses in the service industry who are wanting small batches in short lead times. We are excited to see where this can go for us. The rise of small drink company’s such as craft beer, lager, or kombucha are far outweighing order numbers from the big companies such as Coca-Cola. We are currently working with 11,000 potential fillers who are looking for customised printed cans that are not plastic but embody their company’s branding. So the artwork is challenging for us, but we can and are delivering the products that our customers want and need. The fact that we can produce sustainable packaging too alongside intricately designed artwork and full bottle and can wraps is very attractive to our smaller customers.”

Digital printing is not a new concept, particularly on flat paper or in 2D digital printing, in fact it has been around for a while, but 3D hollow body printing is much newer. When these machines were initially manufactured, big companies such as Hewlett-Packard could produce them in mass amounts, however, these types of machines require perfection, and if they are manufactured in mass bulk, they are likely to have not received

as much attention resulting in large amounts of downtime due to maintenance requirements. This is where Hinterkopf’s machines are different. “We are able to achieve the demand on quality with a reasonable price but with the same reliability and availability of the machine as the bigger companies. Our highly sophisticated product is perfect to manufacture in small batches. We want to work more with smaller companies who many not have the money and unit space to hold a large number of machines in one location. We have some customers that order one batch every few weeks or only order on demand, because getting too much product in one batch fills up space. Our services are attractive to these smaller companies because we can supply smaller orders on demand and then repeat this sequence more often for a more cost-efficient and time-efficient solution for the customer,” said Alexander.

In the next few months, Hinterkopf has announced it will be introducing aluminium wine bottles to its production line. Available in small bottles of 185ml and 200ml with a screw neck, they are ideal for industries such as airlines as they are light in weight, can be ordered in small quantities and have more economical and sustainable packaging.

In closing we asked Alexander, how he felt receiving our award, he said, “we are honoured! We are a small player in a big industry and we are big contenders. Our products offer customers fantastic return on investment.”

For more information, see below: T +49 7161 8501-0 www.hinterkopf.de/en/

Quality counts when it comes to bagasse

Despite competitors dropping the weight of their bagasse offering in order to keep prices down, Herald continues to present a stronger product, ensuring its customers can maintain the supply of a premium choice to takeaways and fast food outlets around the UK.

The disposables manufacturer and supplier is resolute in its commitment to supplying only the best quality bagasse products. Managing director of Herald, Yogesh Patel explains: “It’s a false economy to provide customers with

anything but stock of a substantial weight as you run the risk of affecting the final food offering and jeopardising the opportunity for repeat business.

“These disposables are used for a wide variety of hot dishes and sauces. If the container isn’t heavy enough, the heat of the food will break the packaging down running the risk of accidents and spillages and spoiling the overall enjoyment of the meal. The preferred option should always be to go with quality in order to

Lolly transforms facial recognition for hospitality

Lolly Verify, the new age identification software designed to improve the customer experience

Lolly, the hospitality technology specialist, has launched a new facial recognition system – Lolly Verify; which helps hospitality providers automate the process of verifying a customer's age.

Lolly Verify will confirm the age of an individual who purchases a product that has been flagged as age-restricted (for example: alcohol), within the Lolly database. The system is built using an age estimation algorithm. The camera activates and reviews the age of the customer wishing to make the purchase. There is no picture taken, but instead, the software simply compares digital face markers to ascertain the age of the purchaser and prompts the server with a 'please verify age' message, if they are potentially below the age required.

Peter Moore, CEO at Lolly, said: "With a requirement in hospitality to check the age of a customer buying age-restricted items, Lolly Verify will make the whole process much faster and easier and more importantly it will ensure it happens every time.

"We are focused on improving the customer's

digital journey in hospitality and automating processes wherever possible. The future of hospitality will be centred around AI and machine learning, and increasingly we are seeing these being integrated into mainstream products. We'll continue to evolve at Lolly to meet the demands of the customer - bringing exciting products such as Lolly Verify into our digital suite."

No picture is ever stored using this system

The system is independently certified (ACCS 1:2020 Technical Requirements for Age Estimation Technologies)

Lolly - the digital journey

For more information, see below: www.itslolly.com

give the end-user the best experience.”

Herald’s bagasse selection forms part of its biodegradable product range and includes square, round and rectangle plates, in varying sizes, along with bowls, containers and hot boxes. The latter particularly appeal to the food to go market and those who supply to takeaway and fast food outlets.

For further information on Herald and its products, log on to www.heraldplastic.com or call 0208 507 7900.

Trianco: Cooking up plans for success

Talk to any foodie about the biggest cooking trends of the past few years, and they will no doubt mention bbq smoking. The appetite for smoked food – anything from ribs to cheese – shows no sign of slowing and Sheffield-based manufacturer Trianco is looking to capitalise on this, selling under the guise of its new brand, Grizzly Oven.

“It’s taken over a year to develop the Grizzly range,” explains Peter Beighton, Managing Director of Trianco. “A lot of people are building outdoor kitchens and there has been a big push towards smoking food for long periods. You can leave these charcoal ovens to cook low and slow over long periods or grill at high temperatures of 250-350 degrees.”

The domestic Grizzly Oven Cubster is available in three contemporary colours and can be mounted on a counter or on the Grizzly custommade trolley. The Grizzly Commercial Oven comes in stainless steel in either a counter top or freestanding model and is great for the commercial Pub/Restaurant market. All models can be flued if required.

Check out the Grizzly Oven range at: www.grizzlyoven.co.uk

Natural Health Company Of The Month

Bee the change you want to see

In this issue of Food and Drink Matters, we are pleased to announce Royal B Essentials as our Natural Health Company of the Month.

Established in June 2019 by Managing Director Lamar

Allan, Royal B Essentials is a London-based company providing affordable natural health supplements powered by the beehive. The company has the most natural supplements on the market that uses small, sustainable packaging to minimise its carbon footprint.

Royal B Essentials only use premium quality ingredients in its products. There are no bulking agents, or artificial ingredients resulting in all the supplements made also being 100% natural and gluten free.

The company believes that nature is intelligent because it is a living organism, connected with a biodiverse network. It is self-healing, self-sustainable and life-giving, and Royal B Essentials is working to help the community acquire the knowledge and values required to build good habits for a sustainable, healthier, happier life.

Lamar commented, “one benefit that separates us from our competition is our encapsulation process. We use pure honey as a food preservative which has natural

anti-bacterial enzymes and sugars that stop bacteria cells that could otherwise contaminate. We go one step further and seal our two-piece vegetarian capsules with a nitrogen bubble to ensure the freshness of each and every supplement.”

Products include CoQ10 with Royal Jelly, a unique energy formula which is an essential supplement to support mitochondrial health both for men and women aged 30+. Royal B Essentials uses Ubiquinol as this is the most effective form of Coenzyme Q10.

The latest supplement is Vitamin D3 5000 Ui with Bee Pollen which is the strongest dose of vitamin D available on the market. The company has recently launched a subscription service which offers 15% off all supplements on its website.

One of Royal B Essentials’ objectives is to build a community who share the same vision of making our planet a better place, and the company believes that there is no better place to start than saving the bees. Their contribution to agriculture and biodiversity through pollination provides us with a healthy ecosystem that frankly we cannot live without. Today Bee populations have been declining since 2006 due to climate changes and

dangerous pesticides, and the company aims to be part of the solution.

Lamar continued, “my plan is to collaboratively launch a campaign fundraiser next year to highlight these issues, educate our nation on the importance of the bees and

raise money to provide mushroom mycelium for the 220,000 British beehives across the UK. By improving the health of the bees, the domino effect this will have on our biodiversity, agriculture and economy is exponential.”

Royal B Essentials has produced hive-powered remedies, that are sustainably sourced using natural active ingredients for increased bioavailability, and these products are available across the country from the website, social media and Amazon UK. As they look into the future, the company intends to expand its product range and the accessibility of its products across the world. Alongside the recent addition of new team members to manage core parts of the business, the company has a bright future ahead.

For more information:

T 0800 118 2979

info@royalbessentials.com

www.royalbessentials.com

Nutritional Supplements Company Of The Month

Nutritional shakes for your body, mind & mojo

In this issue of Food and Drink Matters, we are pleased to announce BOMIMO® as our ‘Nutritional Supplements Company of the Month.

BOMIMO® was established in January 2021 by Founder and CEO Samantha Williams and began trading in April 2021. Based in Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, the first product - The MenoShake® Chocolate Collagen - was launched in November 2021.

BOMIMO® (Body + Mind + Mojo) is exclusively developed for women, by women, to help nourish the body and mind, and to help maintain a youthful vitality and optimism. The shakes have been designed to help support women to maintain optimum health at each hormonal stage, from puberty to pregnancy, perimenopause to postmenopause, helping them to achieve a better balance.

Sam commented, “When a woman's hormones are in sync, she is a powerhouse, but when they are out of balance, they wreak havoc on her body, mind and mojo. Too many women's gifts are smothered by hormone imbalances, preventing

them from being the best version of themselves.”

The nutritional supplements industry sector is a very crowded marketplace, but at BOMIMO® the brand will eventually target all women from puberty to post menopause (teens to post 60). The aforementioned MenoShake® is an all-in-one formula containing over 30 sustainable ingredients into one easy to drink product, and it has been formulated as a protein shake to support women as they move into midlife to help to maintain muscle mass.

It also includes 10 herbal ingredients that have been specifically chosen to support women with the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, as well as including high fibre ingredients such as golden flaxseed and psyllium husk, and metabolism boosting ingredients such as green tea extract and cinnamon bark. No other product currently available on the market includes so many different ingredients to support women's health in midlife.

As BOMIMO® looks to the next stage of development, it is launching a new variation to the Menoshake® in October, which will be a Vegan Vanilla flavour. The current Chocolate Collagen flavour is not vegan, so the company is excited to be launching the Vegan Vanilla as it should appeal to a new vegan/vegetarian audience as well as current customers.

BOMIMO® will also be listed with Holland &

Barrett and selling in their stores from September, and the company is looking to expand globally as it currently has interest from both the US and Asia. It also plans to expand the product range across different hormonal stages, including launching a product for teenage girls in 2023 followed by a targeted product for post-natal women, and postmenopausal women in 2024.

Samantha concluded, “My challenge is to grow BOMIMO® into becoming a globally recognised nutritional supplement brand for women. In the next 5 years, I want to grow this brand into a range with at least 6 products supporting women at different hormone stages. I’m so glad that now I fully understand what menopause means, how I can help myself to live every day with energy and vitality, and how I can share this to help and empower other women to do the same.”

For more information:

T 07821 640366

hello@bomimonutrition.com

www.bomimonutrition.com

Healthy & Natural Products

Plant-based, full of taste

Tree of Life has added two delicious new Pesto’s to its range of Organic Pasta Sauces. Made in Italy, using the freshest organic ingredients, the Pesto’s deliver the authentic taste you’d expect of Italian sauces. What’s more they’re 100% plantbased, containing no cheese, ideal for vegan and dairy-free lifestyles. They’re also naturally free from nuts and gluten, and completely delicious.

Available in two tasty varieties; classic Basil and juicy Sun-Dried Tomato, the Pesto’s make mealtimes a breeze, simply stir through cooked pasta and enjoy. They’re also delicious on pizza, bruschetta, sandwiches, salad dressings, marinades and more. Just £2.69 RRP for 180g they offer great value for money too.

The brand recently showcased the Pesto’s at the Allergy & Free From show at London’s ExCel and they flew off the shelves, selling out in just a few hours!

Tree of Life makes health easy by using natural,

healthy ingredients to produce delicious foods your customers can enjoy every day. Create an impactful free-from display in your store with Tree of Life’s wide range of Organic & Gluten Free Pastas and Pasta Sauces, made in Italy using traditional methods and only the finest organic ingredients.

To order go to: www.treeoflife.co.uk

Purely's plantain crisps

To satisfy the growing demand from its customers to stock a wider range of healthier, free from snacks that offer a 'conscious snacking' alternative to potato crisps, 90 WHSmith Travel outlets across the UK now stock independently owned, Purely Plantain Crisps, made from sustainably grown Ecuadorian plantain.

With positive environmental credentials and local economic benefits, Purely's plantain crisps also provide a healthier alternative snack to potato crisps as are high in nutritional goodness, including antioxidants, magnesium, fibre and vitamins.

Purely's plantain crisps also taste delicious and come in three moreish flavours, Wild Garlic, Nice & Spicy and Sea Salt.

Purely Plantain Chips are 100% natural, and free from gluten, wheat, sugar, additives, dairy, palm oil and trans fats. RRP £1 for a 28g snack pack and £1.99 for a 75g sharing bag.

www.welovepurely.com

British Pig and Poultry Fair

British Pig and Poultry Fair is an event of international repute which will feature a wide array of animal health products, breeding and genetics, feed and nutrition products in bulk. Hence, presence of such variety of products will attract numerous buyers from all over the world, giving them the option to choose according to their requirement

Innovative ingredient Vitamin D Yeast

Marigold Super Engevita Vit D B12 Yeast

Flakes Green product is a premium, wholefood, gluten free cultured nutritional yeast. It is ideal as an enriched natural food or as a functional ingredient. Scrumptious when consumed directly or sprinkled on pasta, soups, stews, salads or popcorn to enhance their flavour.

Derived from primary-grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae, it adds a delicious cheesy and nutty flavour to every meal. Marigold Engevita nutritional yeast is the original health food, being inherently high in complete protein containing all essential amino acids, fibre and significant amounts of vitamins & minerals.

Innovative ingredient Vitamin D Yeast is created by exposing the yeast to UV light. This process naturally develops vitamin D2 in yeast, the ‘sunshine vitamin’, essential for immune system support and strong bones and

Herbs for life

Flowers, leaves and roots have long been used in the kitchen and for medical treatments. This is how we started T ‘n’ T Teas – creating complimentary treatments as teas. This expanded into a wide range of flavoursome teas, honey and cordials, and of course, our wide range of functional teas and tinctures.

Set up in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, founders Tina and Thom Poole spent much of the first year blending many exciting new flavours, guided by an ancient family heirloom of herbal recipes.

Tina has over 20 years’ experience in natural and phytotherapy, along with the ancient recipe books. Thom has qualifications in horticulture and botany, so the two are well suited to create great infusions.

A finalist in the recent Natural & Organic Products Europe Awards – the only tea to make

and budget. It is proven as the place to do business and offered exhibitors the chance to engage with over 10,000 producers and industry decision makers. A range of exhibiting options from clear floor space, to ready built modular units and outdoor ground space all offer a strong return on investment.

www.pigandpoultry.org.uk

Farm network reveals how to reduce emissions of grain products by 41% through benchmarking

The UK's largest independent agricultural and environmental consultant ADAS are leading a new farmer network YEN Zero to tackle the carbon cost of crop production.

The network calculated the wheat carbon footprints of 50 UK farms based on their agronomic practices and yields. Comparison of results revealed a large variation in GHG emissions across farms. By examining the practices of the most efficient growers, YEN Zero has revealed the most effective on-farm carbon mitigation strategies - a combination of which could allow more growers to lower the carbon footprint of their product by up to 41% whilst sustaining yield.

Supporting producers to address their emissions

For food and drink manufacturers sponsoring the network, it allowed them to support their suppliers by offering them a starting measure of their GHG emissions and robust strategies for mitigation that are practical to implement.

Ian Palmer, Founder of InchDarnie Distillery said "It was noted in our carbon footprint report, that growing and malting our

barley was the largest contribution to our carbon footprint impact. Sponsoring the YEN Zero program has enabled us to develop an understanding of how we can reduce our impact in this area and provide key support to those at the start of our whisky's field to cask journey"

www.yen.adas.co.uk/projects/yen-zero

teeth. Thanks to this unique method, Super Engevita Vit D B12 offers a vegan source of vitamin D.

The inclusion of B12 makes it an important addition to any vegan diet, as this vitamin is required to produce red blood cells and prevent anaemia.

• Well established and the leading nutritional yeast brand in the UK

• High in vitamin D

• High in B-complex vitamins including B12

• Gluten free and vegan

Find more on:

www.marigoldhealthfoods.co.uk

it on the shortlist. Forever Mint is a powerful and very tasty infusion that has a real kick to it thanks to the inclusion of pepper. Try it as a caffeine-free alternative to combat the mid-afternoon lull.

For more of our exciting, unique range of luxury teas, check out the website at: www.tntteas.com or contact us on: 020 8191 1625.

Meet QikServe at the Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo

QikServe is delighted to be presenting its digital ordering and payment technology at this year’s Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo. Showcasing its multi-channel digital order and pay platform. Their team will be available to talk through how QikServe can enhance and unify the guest experience.

In an age where consumers crave convenience, online ordering and payment solutions are becoming increasingly prominent in the hospitality sector. QikServe’s role in this digital transformation is significant, working closely with brands to implement digital order and pay solutions.

Working with household names such as Merlin Entertainments, Hardrock Café, Fridays, Center Parcs and Dennys, QikServe has proven capabilities to deliver multichannel, multi-currency guest journeys around the world. QikServe’s approach, built over 10 years, means operators

are not limited to certain channels, technologies or customer journeys. Integrations with industry leading POS, payments & loyalty providers ensures a seamless and friction-free experience for the guest, while boosting revenues, decrease chargebacks, reducing wait times and achieving operational efficiencies.

“The implementation of this solution has revolutionised our food and beverage offering for guests… it’s also enabled us to use this as an opportunity to increase our offer… not just via the dine-in offer that we have historically had.” Center Parcs

Self-service kiosks are transforming the in-store ordering experience in hospitality, similar to how they have in retail and banking. The benefits of introducing kiosks are clear – reduced waiting times, increased order value, and all-around enhanced customer experience. QikServe’s interactive kiosk software provides a customisable platform that offers out-of-the-box functionality.

“Average transaction increase on the QikServe kiosks has been so high that it has driven the overall business performance higher at those locations.” HMSHost

QikServe’s Pay at Table technology is perfect for operators with seated dining, delivering effortless payments without the need for server contact. The ability to have an open or closed tab means that guests can pay without pressure

by conveniently scanning a QR code, entering a URL or tapping an NFC tag to access the bill, removing the need to download an app.

“Pay at Table has been a game changer. Since giving our guests the power to pay according to their own timeline, we’ve seen faster table turnover and enhanced customer satisfaction.” Wahaca

Offering the ultimate convenience for guests, QikServe is particularly useful for travel, hotels, tourism, sport and other sectors. Catering to an ever-changing audience, the digital order platform gives customers the option to select a time and date for delivery or collection and pay online. The flexibility of the platform offers ordering to seat in theatres and stadiums, ordering to table in restaurants and casinos as well as ordering to room in hotels.

Features such as suggestive selling can be used to improve average transaction value (ATV), by prompting guests towards specific menu items. Digital loyalty cards are beneficial in optimising customer lifetime value, ensuring that users return repeatedly. Furthermore, a wide range of payment options including Apple Pay and Google Pay reduce basket abandonment at checkout.

“We’ve been able to extend the option of a loyalty scheme to Denny’s customers which has already generated excellent feedback from returning customers.”

Denny’s

QikServe has unrivalled expertise and integrations that

Commitment To Excellence Award

enable them to partner and deploy solutions rapidly and effectively. The QikServe team is singularly focused on providing the best digital ordering solutions to enable operators to maximise their digital revenue through offering a great customer experience. QikServe’s technology and industry experience across all teams from development to support is unrivalled.

Join QikServe at this year’s Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo to learn more about how implementing QikServe technology has powered the ambition of many of its customers.

Tickets to this year’s Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo are available online at: www.takeawayexpo.co.uk

www.qikserve.com

Non-alcoholic beverage manufacturer OTC Beverages has sights set on becoming helmet sponsor for Lewis Hamilton

At Food & Drink Matters, we take great pride in highlighting companies that are revolutionising the Food & Drink industry. As such, in this issue we are proud to announce that we have selected O.T.C Beverages Limited (OTC Beverages) as the recipient of our Commitment to Excellence Award.

Since 2018, OTC Beverages has provided the non-alcoholic drinks market with its signature drinks that are infused with traditional Caribbean flavours.

“My main role in the company is strategy, planning, and development. As I own the company and want to see it grow, the aim is for it to be a beverage of choice for many globally. Our products have high quality ingredients and we work closely with our suppliers to ensure high level of standard from root to consumption to ensure we get a superior premium luxurious taste from our non-alcoholic drinks. This process really does set us apart from the crowd,” stated Shirley White, Founder/Managing Director/ CEO.

Of course, the OTC Beverages’ products have not gone unnoticed and as a company has received a number of remarks and interest from industry experts adding further recognition to the brand. To be “Innovative, Flexible and Premium,” are just three words Shirley used to describe the company, and its previous accolade of awards and acknowledgements certainly reflect that. Shirley went on to say, “we have been featured in the Tatler magazine and Fine Foods Catalogue, we are finalists in the Great British Food Awards Soft Drinks Category and we will be featured in a commemorative book for the Rolls Royce & Bentley owners’ book - 'Strive for Perfection' 2022.”

Looking ahead, the skies the limit for OTC Beverages as it plans to broaden its horizons and concentrate heavily on its continued brand awareness campaigns. “We want to get the brand known everywhere. We want the drinks to be a people's choice brand. Our ultimate goal is to be featured on Lewis Hamilton's Helmet and for him to win that

race with our logo on show. We plan to bring out a new flavour and introduce the canned version of our butterfly pea flower,” stated Shirley.

Its current non-alcoholic product catalogue includes Still or Sparkling Gingerbeer, Still or Sparkling Sorrel – which is a premium and organic soft drink that delivers a refreshing lemon

‘kick’ flavour, and Still or Sparkling Butterfly Pea Flower & Lime. Mixed boxes are also available to purchase online with prices starting from £12.00 for four bottles.

Determined to capture the authentic flavours of her childhood, each drink is carefully handcrafted by Shirley who has perfected her recipes to reflect a mix of the traditional, organic and natural flavours.

In closing, we asked Shirley what does commitment to excellence mean to her and how does she feel OTC Beverages has achieved this. She answered, “commitment

to excellence is top of our list. We want to ensure we provide a quality drink to the market and make it accessible to the discerning non-alcoholic drinker who wants a premium refreshing drink with an excellent taste. We aim to keep the bar high by continually being assessed by industry peers/judges and putting the results out there for others to read about.”

For more information, see below: T 0844 357 0441 info@otcbeverages.com www.otcbeverages.com

The biggest Summer food festival

BBC Good Food Show Summer 2022 – The event that food lovers don’t dare to miss. The ultimate summer day out to experience the latest in food and gain tips from the experts.

This year’s summer show was held from 16-19 June 2022, running alongside BBC Gardeners World Live. Among all the live food entertainment, expert advice and all your favourite presenters, visitors also had the opportunity to get involved with many gardening activities too. There was fun for all ages - from taste tests and book signings to children’s food classes and meeting celebrity chefs. so that’s two great BBC Shows with just one ticket!

Eat, drink and shop ‘til you drop at this fabulous seasonal food show, packed full of chefs and experts sharing their culinary skills and cooking live on stage in the Big Kitchen, the line-up included Dame Mary Berry, James Martin, Michel Roux, Nadiya Hussain, John Torode, Lisa Faulkner and Tom Kerridge and many more – plus tastings, demos and masterclasses and

premium lounges to sit back and relax in.

The next BBC Good Food Show Summer will be held in 2023. The Winter show will be at Birmingham’s NEC from 24-27 November 2022. Be inspired to create your very own outstanding festive recipes as you watch your culinary heroes cook up delicious festive dishes live on stage in the Big Kitchen. Grab your tickets to see favourites including James Martin, Nadiya Hussain, Michel Roux, Gennaro Contaldo, Ainsley Harriott, Jane Dunn of Jane’s Patisserie, John Torode, Lisa Faulkner and many more.

For more information:

www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com

Exciting Jams with a twist!

The Jam Lab was founded in 2020 by Shaquille Hinds. After working as a chef in Michelin starred restaurants across Europe, Shaquille dipped his culinary knowledge and experience into creating unique jam flavour combinations that you will be hard pressed to find in any supermarket.

The taste of these jams will be with the fruit first, followed by a balanced complimentary flavour. All of the jams are dairy free and suitable for vegetarian and vegans.

The mouth-watering array of Jams include Banana & Chocolate, Sliced Pineapple, Peach & Passionfruit and Pear & Ginger Jam among many others, and there really is something for every tastebud!

picnic. Theses jams can be eaten as a spread on toast, sandwiches, croissants or crackers and cheese, and they will elevate your porridge or rice pudding and give a unique twist for desserts in cake, pancake and doughnut fillings.

Brew 61 – fresh from the beer farm

Visitors to the BBC Good Food Show in June were treated to a new taste experience when they visited the Brew 61 stand. As a first-time exhibitor at the Show Brew 61 was keen to showcase its portfolio of eleven delicious beers –fresh from its Beer Farm in rural Worcestershire. Staff were kept busy with queues at the stand, with plenty of people keen to sample the ales and learn the story behind the brews. Brew 61 was started in 2019 when Tim Dunkley turned his passion for home brewing into a small business venture. News of the fledgling micro-brewery quickly spread across the local area and sales of bottles, cans, casks and kegs steadily rose.

Fast forward a couple of years and Brew 61 is currently producing 12,000 litres of beer each month. The brewery has also achieved award-winning success, scooping a SIBA Gold for its ‘Greenfields Gold’ light session IPA and a SIBA Bronze for its ‘Leaping Lambs’ lager.

Brew 61 is based at Greenfields Farm in Bromsgrove. The farming environment has always been the inspiration behind the beers, which are named after the farm’s location and its herd of Highland Cows and flock of Dorset sheep.

For sales enquiries call 01527 879 472 or visit www. brew61.co.uk

Artisan Vegan Cheeze

Sophies Delight is an all-female run business from South West London dedicated to creating great quality plant based cheezes. With products that will leave you wanting more, let your tastebuds be delighted with their fine range of mild, tangy, mature melt-in-your-mouth cheezes.

for pasta and salads, and Truffled Blu – best for rice, sweet potato and more.

Only using natural and organic ingredients to make their cheeze including ingredients like nuts, herbs and spices, allergies can also be catered to for bespoke requirements. Sophies Delight take their sustainability responsibility seriously which is why alongside its natural ingredients, the company vows to never use plastic. All packaging is 100% fully recyclable or compostable, leaving no harm to the environment.

Shaquille recently exhibited at the amazing BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham, and the Jam Lab was among the inspirational products for you to taste and buy for the perfect summer

Rourke’s Pies

Rourke’sOne Facebook reviewer commented, “Fantastic flavour, sweet/savoury with the perfect amount of spice – delicious! Highly recommended” – time to try for yourself?

www.thejamlab.co.uk

produces top quality handmade Pies. We are a family run business started in lockdown 2020. Having lost my job in IT due to COVID I was looking at ways of making money to cover bills.

I have always baked, and truly it is where my passion lies. I started out baking in my home kitchen and selling about 100 pies a week through Instagram & Facebook. Since these early days Rourke’s has grown to producing over 1500 pies a week, employing 4 full time staff, and we sell at local farmers markets, our shop & online.

I have been approached on numerous occasions from Pubs, Restaurants & Eateries to ask if we supply to trade. We have now taken this step. All of our produce is sourced locally and is the best quality. We still make our fillings & pastry by hand and produce in small quantities to ensure the best product at the end.

We have won multiple British Pie Awards in our two years and continue to grow our business & brand. Rourke’s aim now is to break into the trade market supplying pubs & restaurants across the West Midlands.

Rourke’s is ready for this next step and has the capacity to supply greater numbers into trade. For more information contact: gary@rourkespies.com

And of-course, all their products are dairy free, gluten free and completely vegan friendly! Designed to mirror some of the tastiest cheese flavours from around the world, delight in Sophies large range of cheezes and cheese related products that include Blu, Cashewmbert, Cashewrella, Goudie, Halloushmi, Herbivore, Spicy, Smoky, Truffled, Crawckers, and three flavours of cheezy spread: The Melty – perfect for nachos and exploration dishes, Rawmesan – great

We invite you to share the taste of The Oil Tree with us

The Oil Tree is a family owned and operated olive farm based in a coastal town called Methoni in the Southern Peloponnese. Our distribution warehouse is based in North Norfolk UK.

Our goal is to provide the highest premium quality extra virgin olive oil, olives, tapenades, balsamic vinegar, honey, and looseleaf verbena tea.

Our objective is to be a sustainable, environmentally, and socially conscious company, by empowering employees and stakeholders whilst working closely with local Greek industry partners.

All our products are harvested by hand and bottled in Greece to ensure that each product is fresh and of the best quality. All products are one hundred percent natural with no preservatives or additives. They are nut free, gluten free, and dairy free.

For more information on our products, our farm, and our story please visit: www.theoiltree.co.uk or contact us directly at info@theoiltree.co.uk

Boasting some of the tastiest cheeze in the UK, one happy customer said, “the Rawmesan is unreal…I’m addicted to it and consistently blow away!” Another comment on social media was left stating, “I LOOVVEEEE your cheezes!” With comments like this, Sophies Delight are clearly doing something right!

Follow Sophies Delight on social media and learn more ways of how you can indulge in their products.

Instagram @sophies.delight Facebook @sophies.delight.ldn www.sophiesdelight.co.uk

Tim Dunkley (Right) with son Oli at the BBC Good Food Show

Buzzballz bounce into uk drinks sector

America’s biggest selling single-serve premixed cocktails head to Britain with six varieties available to UK retailers now.

BuzzBallz are a smash hit in the USA and on target to sell 100 million balls this year. Now these unique, premium, bar-strength cocktails are available in six SKUs for the UK market via exclusive distributor, Hammonds of Knutsford – Choc Tease, Tequila ‘Rita, Strawberry ‘Rita, Lotta Colada, Chili Mango and Espresso Martini. All 200ml balls are 13.5 per cent ABV with an RRP of £3.50 each. Made with premium spirits, and bursting with real fruit juice, natural flavours and ingredients, BuzzBallz singleserve cocktails are crafted to a high standard. They are convenient, portable and playful, with the round shape bringing something unique and innovative to British drinks fixtures.

Dallas based BuzzBallz was founded by Merrilee Kick at her kitchen table over 12 years ago and is the only woman-owned combination distillery, winery and brewery in the USA.

BuzzBallz presents a significant opportunity to the UK drinks sector, especially when consumers are looking for new and unusual options in the chiller.

BuzzBallz, which are fully recyclable and use 15% recycled plastic in their construction, are available now to multiple and independent retailers, convenience stores, e-commerce platforms including the new fast grocers, drinks specialists, wholesalers and cash and carries.

www.buzzballz.com

www.hammondsofknutsford.co.uk

We create artisans fusion chilli Oils and sauces based on traditional family recipes using only natural ingredients with no additives or artificial flavours.

Made from the finest & hottest Scotch Bonnet Chillis.All products are made from a traditional recipe by Mama Ntsama using the finest and the hottest Scotch Bonnet Chilli with no additives or artificial flavouring. Our aim is to spread the warmth using natural ingredients, tons of flavours and a whole lot of spice!

All our products are versatile in use. They can be

Ngozi's Kitchen

used in cooking, as marinades or used in creating dipping sauces by adding to favourite relish. Our products are suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans www.ntsama.co.uk

on-line restaurants in Essex London, the range of sauces reflect this ethos and are made with natural ingredients, rich in vitamin C, contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and are 99% fat free. Suitable for Vegans/ Vegetarians and Gluten Free diets, there are hundreds of ways to incorporate the sauces into your daily meals.

The exclusive range includes Hot Green & Red Sauce, Xtra Hot Green, Yellow & Red sauce, Xtremely Hot

sauce, Sweet sauce and Hot Pineapple Chutney, and many options where you can combine items for great gifts.

If you live within a six-mile radius of IG1, Ngozi's Kitchen is working in partnership with Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Big Town Geezy serving the community Nigerian Meals. Don't miss out. Order online today.

www.ngozis-kitchen.com

Ngozi@ngoziskitchen.com

In this issue of Food and Drink Matters, we are pleased to announce Blackthorn Salt as our Sustainable Food Company of the Month.

There is regular table salt, and then there is Blackthorn Salt. With its mineral-rich deviations from pure sodium chloride, Blackthorn Salt is renowned for its beautiful tangy, mellow, sweet, mineral-rich crystals. Each one highlights the best flavours within your dishes, spreading them out for exploration and giving a more intense taste experience.

Husband and wife team, Gregorie and Whirly Marshall, established Blackthorn Salt in early 2020, just as everyone went into lockdown! Despite this inauspicious start, they knew that the product was first-class, and wanted to support struggling people,

and so they gave away their first batch to help people out and make them smile.

Having seen the salt-making technique in other countries, Gregorie and Whirly realised that they lived in the perfect place and environment to make it work in Ayr, on the beautiful West Coast of Scotland. The Thorn Tower was invented in Germany in the 17th century as a way to get salt from brine without using too much fuel to bubble it up to the correct temperature in order to obtain the crystals. Ingeniously, the makers stacked up ‘towers’ of Blackthorn in order for the brine to trickle down them and extend its liquid surface area. As the wind dries the thorns, they are left with a thicker brine, but less of it to heat up for the salt crystals!

Gregorie and Whirly then constructed this timberstructured tower, stacked full of Blackthorn bundles. Being built in the perfect location next to the sea, they then trickle salty sea water down instead of rock brine to continue the ancient process. Unlike solar panels or poly-tunnels, this process can continue through the night time or even when the sky is cloudy, and it also works all year round, yet is also sustainable and natural.

90% of all the evaporation required is simply achieved from the wind and sun, and all the boxes are fully compostable/recyclable and plastic-free.

The most important thing about Blackthorn Salt however, is the amazing taste. Whirly commented, “we make our salt in a unique way, but if it didn’t taste great the process would be unimportant. We dry and develop the crystals extremely slowly, meaning that we can capture more minerals. In gourmet sea salt, it is not purity and Sodium Chloride that denotes quality, but the abundance of Magnesium, Calcium and Potassium instead lead to a much better flavour.”

Blackthorn Salt is very popular across a number of industries, including chefs with Michelin stars, zerowaste customers, chocolatiers, artisan butchers and delis, and they all come back because the salt tastes so good! The company distributes not only UK wide, but also exports abroad too and as the profile continues to expand, Gregorie and Whirly are developing contacts further afield.

• Sustainability Pioneer Award at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair in London

• Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Award for Primary Producer

• Scottish Parliament in a motion for winning Award

Gregorie and Whirly are creating new bespoke boxes, up to even 5kg for manufacturers including those bakers and chocolatiers who need such

Obviously salt is a very common commodity, but not Blackthorn Salt. There are many reasons why customers buy this again and again, but the eco-friendly nature of the product is very important. Thanks to its Thorn Tower,

The company is continuing to grow, and has recently employed another person, taking the staff team up to seven overall, and this is a tribute to the recent success of the multi award-winning company, whose recent successes include:

• The Great Taste Award 2021 - Double Stars

• Farm Shop & Deli Show 2022 - Gold

• Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards 2022 - Gold in category as well as Platinum for overall Scottish

Small Producer of the Year

The Source Trade Show Review

Must-attend event for food and drink sectors

The Source Trade Show was held at the Westpoint Arena & Exhibition Centre, Exeter on 9th to 10th February 2022. The Source Trade Show is the South West’s biggest and best show of its kind. Serving the Food, Drink and Meals sectors, with a rewarding and valuable mix of comparative tastings, sharing of innovative ideas, networking opportunities and inspirational experiences.

The event provides everything a food or hospitality business could possibly want, all under one roof. Consisting of high quality produce, innovative equipment, stylish furniture to the latest EPoS systems, and a look as the year’s kitchen design trends; the Source Trade Show is the perfect platform for the Food and Drink sectors.

The event is regarded a must-attend event for anyone interested in speciality foods, quality

Aspen Services

Aspen Services provide a range of commercial catering services designed to meet all your business needs which include commercial kitchen installations, catering

supplies and the maintenance and

We aim to make kitchen design and installation as straightforward as possible by offering advice and ensuring a Project Manager is on hand throughout the process. Not only do we offer design and installations we also offer kitchen alterations whether it is an extension, refurbishment, or simply the renewal or addition of equipment.

We recommend that all equipment is serviced annually to ensure that equipment operates safely and efficiently. At Aspen we offer both maintenance and repair services for all types of catering and refrigeration equipment. Should your kitchen equipment inconveniently break down our engineer’s attendance will be organised as quickly as possible through our dedicated service office.

To ensure your kitchen complies with current

Where do you start in food service?

Many food and drink producers can see that their products would do well in foodservice but with hundreds of thousands of end user outlets ranging from high class restaurants to social clubs and on-board travel to primary schools and universities, where do you start?

Cognosco Marketing has been helping companies of all sizes access this diverse and exciting market since 2005. With guidance and assistance with budgeting and planning through to hands on help from a team of 5 account managers backed by telesales and sales office resources, Cognosco's highly experienced team can help prioritise opportunities and identify necessary route to market distributors or wholesalers.

'A typical company wishing to open up foodservice could take on a new sales employee who may have had relevant experience with one or more channels or, they could engage with Cognosco and get the reach of 5 account managers plus the telesales team covering most foodservice channels and who have current contacts' said Dan Shaw, Operations Director for Cognosco. ‘We don’t just help with prospecting, we manage accounts ongoing and help reach out to new customers via exhibitions and shows such as the recent Source Trade Roadshow in Bristol or the national shows at the NEC and Excel.

Why not pick up the phone and have a chat?’

Contact Andrew Coulson, new business director: T 07976 870875 andrew.coulson@cognoscomarketing.co.uk

drinks, profitable catering and inspired hospitality.

This is our pick of the best exhibitors from the show, listed here in alphabetical order: Canned Wine Co., Everett King and WILD Gelato. Further details can be found on this page. The show will be returning in 2023 at the Westpoint Arena & Exhibition Centre, Exeter, on the 8th and 9th of February 2023.

www.thesourcetradeshow.co.uk

regulations we also offer a range of deep cleaning services which include cleaning and disinfection of air handling units, ductwork and ventilation systems.

To satisfy all your kitchen needs we also supply one-off kitchen equipment from light goods to utensils and chemicals to keep your establishment fresh and clean.

For more information visit: www.aspenservice.co.uk

Award-Winning Devon Gin

Thunderflower Gins are award-winning, small-batch, contemporary craft gins made in the London Dry method with botanical flavours extracted by vapour infusion. Only Dartmoor spring water is added to the final spirit, and the gins offer a bold, complex character appreciated by gin enthusiasts around the world.

Thunderflower Gins are made by following a very deliberate process, and it is a true-craft gin, distilled and bottled by hand in very small batches at the nano-distillery in Devon. The process uses the London-Dry method, which is very rigorous and ensures the best quality distillation and a purity of spirit with no artificial colours, sweeteners or flavourings.

The company also uses Vapour Infusion to extract flavour, which gently permeates the herbs and spices preserving the delicate flavours, and results in a smoother spirit. Following this is the ‘one-shot’ distillation run, which means that apart from water for dilution, the spirit

Grass 95

Looking to make your menus more sustainable?

We’re proud to present Grass 95 – a paper that is ecologically responsible without compromising on print quality.

Grass 95 is a new and exclusive grass-based paper from Online Paper. Give your customers an authentic experience by printing your menus, flyers and more on this unique paper. Made from 70% FSC wood pulp & 30% grass pulp, Grass 95 is recyclable, compostable and eco-friendly. It has a wonderful look and feel that will add credibility to environmentally conscious restaurants and businesses.

With one side coated for inkjet printers and the reverse optimised for laser printers, Grass 95 is a

is not altered beyond the vapour interacting with the botanicals, and the gin is then rested and finally diluted using the aforementioned Dartmoor spring water.

The wide range of Thunderflower Gins, including the Gold Award winning Negroni 58, can be ordered online from the company website, or from specialist wine & spirit shops. Please visit the website for more information.

www.thunderflowergin.com

versatile paper that can suit any restaurant or office setup. Achieve high quality results without the large costs and time-restraints of outsourcing your printing, keeping both sustainability and economics at the forefront.

Don’t have a printer yet but thinking about bringing one into your business? As suppliers of Canon printers and ink, we can help get you set up. The team have a wealth of knowledge and can answer any questions on the world of paper and printing whilst finding you the best prices.

Get in touch to request a free sample of Grass 95.

T +44(0)1892 771245

webshop@on-linepaper.co.uk

The Source Trade Show Review

A family of fruit juicers from the heart of the Cotswolds

Based in Sherborne, Gloucestershire, Bensons the Juicers is a family owned and run company that began back in 1999 when, according to the website, “we sat around the kitchen table with a glass of freshly pressed apple juice, hand pressed by Papa Joe Benson, harvested from the trees in the orchards at the Benson’s family farm. It was the best we’d ever tasted, and we knew then we had something worth sharing!”

Share it they did, and the company launched its delicious

juices at the Womad Festival, where it sold on the first day. Since that first festival, Bensons have been making delicious, natural products that taste great and make customers feel good! Over the years, it has developed the range to now include British real fruit Cider, award-winning juices and 100% fruit ice-lollies and still and sparkling juiced waters.

Bensons recently exhibited at the Source Trade Roadshow in Bristol, which brought the perfect mix of passionate producers, alongside the best hospitality and catering

World-class web development

What does your website say about you? Is it bringing home the bacon or storing food way past its sell-by date? One business met the latter challenge. They wanted to boost their revenue and create deep connections with their customers.

How did they escalate business growth? They created an environment that made it easy for

customers to find and do business with them.

Your customers want to find what they want quickly. They need to trust in you as a brand and feel comfortable returning to your store. And they need to have the very best experience engaging with your brand.

For this to happen, you need an integrated website that allows your content to be searchable on Google, adaptable to the needs of your client, and deliver on your brand.

At morphsites, we excel at delivering real growth to businesses in the food & drink sector, transforming brands into powerhouses. Come and see what we can do for you by visiting our site. That’s what the business from the outset did. They experienced skyrocketing growth of £0 to >£100K revenue per month all through a powerful digital transformation.

www.morphsites.com

Where food business takes flight

At the Food Works SW we were thrilled to be a part of the show, we love meeting and supporting as many local businesses as we can.

Located in Weston-super-Mare, we are a food and drink innovation centre with on site development kitchens available for short term hire, food grade business units, on site food technical support and a business lounge with conference facilities. We’re a one stop shop for your growing food or drink business.

There are currently some great funded projects running too which provide free support to local business.

Feel free to pop in or contact the team to discuss how we can help your business.

For more information, please call 01934 315381 or email enquiries@foodworks-sw.co.uk

companies, and the freshest food service, and this was the perfect show at which to exhibit the products and make new contacts.

With a product range including, still and sparkling drinks, Cider, Ice Lollies and gift packs for all of the above, the website is the perfect place to explore the amazing array of products from Bensons the Juicers.

www.bensonsthejuicers.com

Bonnie Yau’s Food Products Ltd

AtYau’s it’s all about fantastic flavours. If you’re looking to deliver the finest quality Oriental flavours to your customers, Yau’s not only gives you the easiest way possible to prepare authentic Thai and Chinese dishes, but does so without any artificial ingredients and with virtually none of the common allergens.

Yau’s sauces are gluten, dairy and nut free across the range, including our incredibly popular awardwinning Satay sauce, which simplifies the way you manage your allergens, whether at home or in your professional kitchen.

You’ll also be able to make the most of the growing trend for vegan recipes as Yau’s Thai range excludes fish or shrimp products and is 100% plant

based. So now you can create your next meals safe in the knowledge that all the hard work has been done, and with no compromises.

Available in both retail or catering sizes, Yau’s offers great value, unrivalled flavours, and top quality ingredients, enabling you to amaze your customers and keep them coming back for more.

Look for Yau’s from your usual suppliers, or contact us directly to find out how you can revolutionize your Oriental cooking.

For more information: phil@yausfood.co.uk

Founded in 1822, Ellis is still family run to this day

As a highly respected independent, family business, based in West London, we import wines and represent a number of award-winning producers from around the globe. Our extensive wine list consists of over one thousand wines from all over the world. However, the story began 200

years ago, in 1822, when Joseph Ellis started his wine business.

At that time, the Ellis family were also running the Star & Garter Inn on Richmond Hill. In 1964, Joseph’s son, George, decided to sell the hotel in order to focus on the wine business. Today, the Ellis family continue to manage the business with James, Robert and William at the helm, and the next generation is now on board, with Holly, Stefan and Angus. With a fantastic team of staff, they have built a thriving wine business in the true spirit of its founding fathers when they started the family wine merchant business two centuries ago.

For more information: www.elliswines.co.uk info@ellis-wines.co.uk

Gno contract to tie you down so you have the freedom to pause and resume your subscription whenever it suits your business.

Our packages start from just £195 per month and you first photography session is free!

We also offer video promotions and we can use these alongside a budget that suits you to promote your product or business to a wider audience and build awareness of your brand.

Alongside the our own photography and videography, we cover everything in the day-to-day management of your socials. From replying to messages and comments, and creating reels, stories and memes, Biteki Marketing is a simple and straightforward service that includes everything you need to grow and improve your social media pages.

For more information, contact Marcus on 07852 754023, email info@bitekimarketing.com or visit www. bitekimarketing.com

Handling & Storage Matters

Leaders in eCommerce solutions

In this issue of Industry Update, we are pleased to announce Worldwide Logistics Group as our Logistics Service Provider Company of the Month.

Established in 1998, Worldwide Logistics Group (WWL) was founded in New York as a joint venture between a freight forwarding veteran and a local trucking company. Over the years the company has expanded exponentially and today provides sophisticated integrated logistics solutions for more than 7,000 companies in more than 100 countries and is well-respected as a global leader in transport and logistics.

Providing end-to-end logistics, WWL Group offers a complete range of services to support its customers’ needs using its vast network of global offices and trusted partners. Its comprehensive list of solutions includes Air Freight Logistics, Sea Freight Logistics, Land and Road Services, Customs House Brokerage, E-Commerce Logistics, and Warehousing and Fulfilment.

In 2018, Glenn Hayes joined together with WWL Group to head up its UK offices as the Managing Director. Headquartered in Dagenham, its other UK offices are based in Birmingham, Billingborough, London/Heathrow, and Scunthorpe. WWL Group UK started off with a bigger mission in mind which was to service customers who were active in doing reworks and remedial. “It was about adding value to the supply chain, and making sure waste wasn’t

ending up in landfill. There is a huge amount of waste in the logistics industry, and intrinsically because of the growth of ecommerce, its only getting worse. So effectively, we set up WWL Group UK in 2018 to service this need and since then we have grown dramatically. We now do huge amounts of 3PL and freight forwarding, so our mission statement has slightly changed from where we started to where we are now, but it still formulates a large part of what we do,” said Glenn.

As specialists in logistics and 3PL, the biggest competitive advantage WWL Group UK offer is its ability to be able to integrate with many different sales platforms. “We can seamlessly integrate various services and features into our customers websites and still be big enough to be able to scale their business. We have found ourselves in a small niche where we can help many clients on the fact that we buffer a return to remedial service and offer a full scope of services across UK and Europe,” explained Glenn.

Seeking to empower residents to create safer and healthier homes, Aico, the European Market Leader in Home Life Safety, has launched the third iteration of the HomeLINK App for Residents. The app provides an innovative solution to some of the housing sector’s biggest challenges, such as damp and mould and poor indoor air quality, allowing residents to take the first steps in improving their home’s health.

The app is a complementary addition to Aico’s HomeLINK Internet of Things (IoT) platform, which includes a network of fire and carbon monoxide alarms, environmental sensors and the Ei1000G Gateway that connects them all. Designed to provide residents with detailed information about the health and safety of their home, the app provides users with hints, tips and recommendations to better their home’s indoor environmental conditions, in turn, improving their own health and wellbeing.

For example, with the improved core features, residents will receive notifications and recommendations, detailing how to reduce the risk of allergens, mould and indoor air pollution besides fire alarm testing reminders. Through real-time

include Amazon fulfilment and drip feeding, and its pick pack and dispatch services include seller fulfilled prime, fulfilment by merchant, double scan verification on every order, and integration with eCommerce platform.

Serving a range of vertical markets that include fashion, renewable energy, events, hospitality and retail infrastructure, chemical, pharma, and food, WWL Group UK has recently set up a new office in Poland. Boasting 105,000 sq.ft, it includes 10 dock doors, a large yard, 6T floor loading, and a 24/7 365 operation. The warehouse will be used for rework and remedial services such as refurbishment, relabelling, repacking, reprocessing, spare parts management and more. Its warehousing activities

information, residents will see a breakdown of carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity conditions within each room, followed up by educational information to understand their home better.

A game-changing new feature with the opportunity for enhanced care provides residents with the ability to invite others to app, so that their family members, carers or friends can also access the information to support the resident in following the healthy home recommendations.

Innovation is a key part of Aico’s ethos, and their colleagues at HomeLINK are at the forefront of the research and development for the HomeLINK App for Residents. Taking this to the next level, residents can now trial new, experimental features via the app such as different design elements, allowing HomeLINK to directly collect feedback and quickly implement better user experiences.

Amrita Poptani, Product Manager at HomeLINK comments,

“One of the things we noticed early on was how the tiniest thing could affect the moods, perceptions and overall mental health of the resident when using the app. With this in mind, we ensured elements of the new user experience were fun, exciting and light without taking away from the seriousness of the information. And while it’s always a work in progress - this new version not only lays the foundations perfectly but it’s also ‘very snazzy’, as one of our resident-testers put it!”

To date, Aico have brought their HomeLINK connected, smart home solution to over 22,000 socially rented homes in the UK and this number is increasing exponentially, with over 136,000 devices installed, encompassing a Gateway for each property with a set of connected alarms and environmental sensors.

To find out more about the HomeLINK App, please visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b86NzBJ7X8

To find out more about Aico’s HomeLINK IoT platform, please visit: www.aico.co.uk/smart-home/

For all the latest news please visit our website: www.aico.co.uk

In the future, WWL Group UK is keen to expand taking on new sites in India and Africa whilst increasing its customer base. The company has received incredible growth since restrictions loosened from COVID-19 and is set for an even brighter and more successful future.

T 020 3900 2474

uksales@wwllmail.com

www.worldwidelogistics.com

Handling & Storage Matters

Horizontal Dynamic Accumulation

Many primary packed products have creative designs. This can be either for functional or aesthetic reasons. Unfortunately, in this stage, before getting bundled in easy-to-transport containers (such as cartons), these products are often difficult to move through the line, especially for machines that have to manipulate or touch the product.

Project details:

• Horizontal Dynamic AccuVeyor AVL

• Non-Touching and Fi-Fo Accumulation

• Increasing efficiency and reducing waste

One of our customers who produce incontinence

material had previously installed a Fi-Lo (First in, Last out) accumulation system between the bag and the carton packer. One of the reasons for this was to increase the efficiency of the bag packing machine. Having an accumulator before the carton packer ensured that the bag packer could keep on producing in case of an interruption, keeping efficiency high.

The issue with the existing accumulator was that it had to touch the product in order to accumulate. This presented issues as the products were only packed in a thin plastic layer, which meant that grabbing the items could damage them. Or even worse, cause misoriented products which increased risks of jams and complete

line-stops. What the customer needed was a dynamic accumulator that doesn’t touch the product. The AmbaFlex AccuVeyor AVL is such an accumulator. It consists of two u-shaped conveyor segments on the top and two return belt segments underneath. The top U-shape is the effective accumulator and conveys the product from the entrance to the exit. The second one underneath is used to store any unused conveyor belt. When accumulating, the U-shaped segment moves along the track and with it increases or reduces the accumulation length, just like a trombone.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/f-QVXhQcLzE

This means the products all have their own place on the belt until they leave the accumulator, no need for manipulators as the belt itself extends and retracts. This way, the AmbaFlex AccuVeyor AVL ensured a flawless operation and increased efficiency for the end-user.

www.ambaflex.com

New automated pallet debanders raise safety levels at Britvic

Britvic uploads almost 100,000 aluminium cans from pallets onto each of three new canning lines per hour at the company’s upgraded Rugby production site.

Now the process of removing each pallet’s plastic retaining straps has been fully automated using vertical debanders manufactured by L.B. Foster Automation & Materials Handling. Britvic is the largest supplier of branded still soft drinks, and the number two supplier of branded carbonated soft drinks, in Great Britain.

Following £100m investment at Rugby, L.B. Foster’s new debanders are integrated into Britvic’s three new can lines, which are amongst the fastest in Europe.

Mick Haswell is Maintenance Manager – Canning at Britvic Soft Drinks Limited in Rugby. He says, “Britvic’s vision is to be the most dynamic, creative and trusted soft drinks company in the world, which is why we are investing in technologies that enable us to operate more safely, effectively and efficiently.

“That goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to providing high quality working conditions and environment for our operatives. L.B. Foster‘s vertical debanders tick all the boxes when it comes to speed, accuracy and safety, with the added bonus of reducing our environmental footprint with its clever, in-built recycling hopper for plastic retaining straps. These are shredded and the resultant granules sent for recycling.“

Paul Parkinson, Head of Sales & Marketing at L.B. Foster Automation & Materials Handling, says, “Britvic is one of the world’s most recognisable brands. The products that it makes are household names. So we are very proud that the company has invested in our high-performance range of debanders as part of its drive towards increased production efficiencies.”

For more information:

www.lbfoster.eu

Fine Food Show North Review

Finest food & drink producers from across the UK

The Fine Food Show North, held at Harrogate’s Yorkshire Event Centre on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 June 2022, showcased more than 150 food and drink exhibitors for trade buyers - it is an essential industry event for genuine buyers who are looking to source new and exciting products for their customers.

Join us on to discover exciting new lines, pick up industry trends, and be amongst the first to sample NPD from some of the top independent producers of the moment. The industry event attracts chefs and buyers from the UK’s top restaurants and retailers including Waitrose, Booths and Selfridges as

well as many regional and national independents and is an opportunity for producers, many from the Yorkshire area, to showcase their products to a huge audience.

Exhibitors will include many Great Taste Award winners, the awards run by the Guild, which are known as the Oscars of the food industry and as well as being the North’s biggest showcase of innovative artisan food and drink products, visitors will also be able to benefit from special show offers, and learn insider tips from industry experts about how to sell more of these products.

All buyers, chefs and retailers

are welcome to visit the show. If you’re looking to sample innovative ingredients, source fresh new lines, or pick up product inspiration, you won’t want to miss it.

For more information:

https://gff.co.uk/shows/ffsn/

Bring a taste of South America to your kitchen

CHIMILOVE was born from a mutual love of food and more. Starting with a love affair exploring the flavours Karen grew up with in Colombia, mixed with Jacques passion for cooking, they were soon hooked on exploring sensational combinations. Testing and trialling condiment creations on friends and family, the CHIMILOVE condiment recipes started to develop and taste perfect.

CHIMILOVE's products are versatile as a sauce or a marinade, and Jacques commented, "these are the most addictive sauces to come out of South America! Our aim is to encourage people to eat well and be healthy, to have fun cooking and to add flavour to their dishes." The Chimichurri Hot received the Great Taste 3 Star Award this year, and the other sauces one star, a well-deserved achievement for the brand!

Jacques and Karen are also very serious about taking care of our planet, and CHIMILOVE products are packed sustainably. They also

Ginger Health Foods - Breakfast Bowl

At Ginger Health Foods we make expertly created breakfasts to fuel + nourish. Based on our farm in Yorkshire, our Founder Ginny has values deep rooted in the power of natural ingredients and how they can fuel your day, Ginny has eaten these recipes for years and started the business in 2021.

Our Breakfast Bowl mixes include between 7 to 10 ingredients in every flavour including gluten free oats, chia seeds, hemp seeds, linseed, plant protein, nuts and fruits. They can be enjoyed as overnight oats, porridge or as a muesli. Created with a nutritionist they ensure you have everything you need to fuel your body for the day ahead – high fibre, a great source of protein and balanced healthy fats.

With a nutrition focus, these provide a health focused offering to Breakfast categories and are particularly popular with those keen on their health and wellbeing as

Breakfast Bowls are currently available in 5 variants in 500g resealable and recyclable pouches: The Original One, The Nutty Seedy Goji One, The Power Protein One, The Date + Walnut One, The Coco Berry One. We are currently developing on the go breakfast pots and smoothie mixes too.

www.gingerhealthfoods.com

donate some of the profit from every jar sold to #justonetree to plant trees around the world.

CHIMILOVE recently exhibited at the Fine Food Show North - a showcase of over 150 of the finest UK food and drink producers. This was a perfect vehicle for Jacques and Karen, as CHIMILOVE'S range is great for any type of diet, from Keto to vegans, to vegetarians and to meat lovers and the must have BBQ sauces in your kitchen.

www.chimi.love

Beau-t-full

Beau-T-Full, a York-based tea company, has launched revolutionary organic herbal infusions that focus on both physical and mental wellbeing.

The tea company Ringtons, together with Infusion GB, one of the leading tea packing manufacturers in UK, have partnered with Beau-T-Full.

Founders include British actor James Phelps; former England rugby coach Ben Ryan; former England rugby player James Simpson-Daniel; Yorkbased entrepreneurs Tom Riddolls and Charlie Simpson-Daniel, along with Ringtons and Infusion GB.

Beau-T-Full products include five herbal teas: Wide Awake, Deep Sleep, Tummy & Mind, Immunity and Relaxing all of which include powerful herbal adaptogens and active ingredients to support your wellness goals. The company has also just launched two ready-to-drink sparkling infusions: Energy and Revitalise. They are in cans and are perfect for a healthy lifestyle.

A fundamental ethos and principle of Beau-T-Full is sustainability. The company delivers 100%

recyclable packaging throughout their ranges. The brand is organic, and all their products are packed at Infusion GB, which is a carbon neutral factory. In addition, from every teabag sold, Beau-T-Full donates 1p to mental wellbeing charities around the world.

www.beau-t-full.com

Shire Foods of Norfolk - Wholesale Whole foods supplier

Shire Foods East Anglia has been trading for many years in the town of Downham Market on the edge of the Norfolk fens.

As experienced fine food wholesalers, Shire Foods distribute nationwide to farm shops, general grocers, and delis. They also offer a unique service which provides custom packaging on confectionery, herbs and spices and many other products - allowing the customer to use their own shop branding as a label if required.

Along with the main Shire Foods warehouse, the company also has a sister-brand - 'The Real Norfolk Cake Company', which produces a substantial variety of products, including sugarfree and vegan cakes, cookies, and biscuits.

Whilst Shire Foods stocks local goods, they also cater to a multitude of brands from the UK and beyond, from popular farm shop staples to unique

and new products from independent producers.

The team at Shire Foods work hard to provide their customers with an efficient and reliable service!

www.sfea.co.uk

VOG Products expands its organic range

The South Tyrolean fruit processing company VOG Products has come up with new organic products, for example Demeter-certified juices and purées. Quality is also guaranteed by the source, because the raw products originate solely from the company's own members.

Laives, 3 October 2022 - When consumers are looking for safe, monitored and healthy food, they like to buy organic products. This is also reflected in cultivation: for example, Assomela, the association of Italian apple producers, is forecasting record organic production in Italy this year –197,402 tonnes and an increase of 4 per cent compared to 2021. The same is true for VOG Products: here, the quantities of organic raw products delivered have doubled in the last three years.

VOG Products is a trend-setter on the organic market and has continuously been expanding the organic range: along with juices, concentrates and purées, – also available in practical small-format packaging such as the “Bag-inBox” – the South Tyrolean organisation of producers also offers organic-quality frozen fruits, cut and canned fruits. Compliance with the highest organic quality standard is always guaranteed: following the Bioland partnership and the certification obtained last year from Bio Suisse, the largest organic organisation in Switzerland, VOG Products has recently also become Demeter-certified. Demeter is the oldest organic association in Germany, whose criteria for food processing go far beyond the requirements of the EU Regulation on Organic Farming.

Origin as an additional guarantee of safety

“Our organic range is diverse – but one thing always remains the same: every product and every package contains our expertise in the organic sector, which has grown over the years,” emphasises Christoph Tappeiner, CEO of VOG Products. “We source our organic raw materials solely from our members in South Tyrol and Trentino. With traceability back to the origin and close monitoring along the entire production chain, we meet the highest safety and quality standards, something that customers and consumers in the organic sector value greatly”, says Tappeiner.

In addition, the sun-drenched hills are an ideal location for the best organic apples. The raw materials come from within a radius of no more than 70 kilometres.

The producers are organic farmers by conviction and manage the mostly small family farms close to nature and with a lot of heart. VOG Products is closely linked to the producers, especially since the fruit processing company based in Laives is owned by three organisations of producers from South Tyrol and Trentino and 18 South Tyrolean cooperatives. On this basis there are around 6,000 families of fruit growers, many of whom recognised early on the enormous potential of organic cultivation.

South Tyrol does, in fact, play a leading role in the organic sector at European level: organisations of producers based in the region and VOG Products members VIP and VOG are the largest producers of organic apples in Europe.

CBD Manufacturing Company Of The Month

What is significant is that almost every fourth organic apple in the EU comes from South Tyrol.

www.vog-products.it/en

Driving innovation and raising the bar – an innovation-based CBD company

In this issue of Food and Drink Matters, we are pleased to announce B3 Labs as our CBD Manufacturing Company of the Month.

Established in June

2019 by CEO and Innovations Director Marc Burbidge, South Manchester based B3 Labs is the premium CBD manufacturing company. The history of the company began 12 years ago when Marc was suffering with recurring shoulder dislocations in his 20's and was given morphine to treat his condition.

Marc decided to take this opportunity to learn about different alternative medicine not just within Cannabinoids but also in plant medicine where his interest alternatives to pharmaceuticals lead him to study this for several years. Naturally Marc had a strong interest into the chemistry side and it was this profound research and development that led to the forming of B3 Labs most popular products, Adaptogenic tinctures.

B3 Labs prides itself on product innovation and provides its customers with CBD food supplements, comprising of tinctures and gummies and newly introducing vapes. The oral tinctures are the forefront of the business, and they range from natural plain CBD, flavours that are comparable to Starburst sweets, terpenes and Adaptogenic herbal extracts. B3 pride themselves on their use of terpenes, that are naturally occurring in the cannabis plant. Extracting the hemp plant using ethanol extractions removes all terpenes, controlled substances and plant matter leaving only isolated CBD. What makes B3 unique is the ability to reintroduce terpenes in a specific ratio to improve efficacy as well as flavour profile. The company also introduces Adaptogenic herbal extracts to their tinctures a fine example of this would be the Herbal Myrcene tincture which has traditional herbs such as Chamomile and Passion Flower which have been used in relaxing herbal teas for generations.

Marc commented, “B3 Labs are the first BRCGS certified CBD manufacturer in Europe to produce safe and compliant products to this wellness sector, which is a prerequisite for major retailers.” The company is highly focused on the legitimisation of cannabinoid extracts through the highest level of quality and certification practices. Its aim as a business is to be the most compliant CBD company in the world, which is why it casts a primary focus on its BRCGS certification.

Marc concluded, “at B3 Labs, we pride ourselves on a high level of innovation and scientific knowledge, and all of our batches come with their own certificate of analysis which is third party tested, using ISO-17025 accredited laboratories to ensure the product is safe to sell within the market.”

For more information:

T +44 (0) 161 820 1159 sales@b3labs.co.uk www.b3labs.co.uk

Christoph Tappeiner - CEO of VOG Products

Specialist hygiene company achieves Zero Waste to Landfill as sustainable initiatives take hold

Warrington-based Christeyns Food Hygiene has achieved Zero Waste to Landfill for the last two years as it puts sustainability at the heart of company policy.

By working in partnership with ACM Environmental, the firm has achieved exceptional environmental performance with Zero Waste to Landfill in 2020, 2021 and on target for 2022.

Christeyns Food Hygiene, as part of Christeyns UK, has been working on a strategy for reducing waste and emissions and is part of a group initiative, Project Terra, which focuses on every aspect of the firm’s business in relation to sustainability and the environment.

Considerable budget has been invested in equipment and training to ensure facilities are as modern and efficient as possible. This has included installing low energy LED lighting across the whole site, creating a reduction in usage of up to 75%.

Other initiatives completed over the past two years have been the installation of EV charging points, the recycling of all toner cartridges, adding plants to the site to improve and restored biodiversity and the collection and monitoring of all gas, electricity, and water data to establish targets for reductions.

Raw materials are purchased from carefully selected suppliers, sustainability being a key requirement when choosing ingredients. Recent developments have also led to the introduction of concentrated formulations that reduce the number of deliveries and hence carbon footprint.

Containers are washed and reused and wash-out water from both customer sites and the firm’s manufacturing facilities, is

recovered and reused, reducing the amount of effluent being deposited into the environment.

Sarah Hobbs, Health, Safety & Environmental Supervisor at Christeyns Food Hygiene said: “Being one of the largest food hygiene providers in the UK, it is important for the whole team to lead by example and minimise the impact of our business on the environment.

More and more of our clients are focusing on green issues and it is reassuring for them to know that their supply chain is

equally committed.”

Increased focus at Board level is adding impetus to Christeyns’ strategic goals on tackling environmental issues both on site and in the wider community. A range of project are currently running to meet these goals, including motion sensor lighting, solar panels, hybrid and fully electric vehicles, and the re-using rainwater for washing out containers.

www.christeyns.com

Cleaning & Hygiene Matters

Clean water, grease control, safe establishment Specialists in Food Care

As the catering industry moves to a new normal, with patrons eagerly returning to holidaying and eating out, it is essential to focus on an establishment’s overall health and compliance. In addition to meticulous food and general hygiene, this means ensuring clean, safe, water and air. Your water system must have an upto-date Legionella Risk Assessment and comply with L8, the code of practice issued by the HSE. This may mean undertaking remedial work, as well as routine water tank cleaning, water testing and monitoring.

As the demand for cooked meals has risen, so, inevitably, will the accumulation of grease deposits within your kitchen extraction system. This grease must be removed at regular intervals by expert technicians, as stipulated in the tables in TR19® Grease, which is issued by BESA. Failing to remove this grease layer allows a potential fire risk to accumulate, and could constitute negligence, for which there can be serious legal consequences. In a case of fire, a non-compliant extract system

could result in your insurance company refusing to pay out.

Indoor air quality should also be safeguarded by regular cleaning of the ventilation system in accordance with TR19®. If your ventilation system is fitted with fire dampers, these should also be drop tested annually in accordance with BS:9999. www.swiftclean.co.uk

Food Care Solutions was established in 2003 to assist clients to achieve their goals for food safety, food quality, customer satisfaction and legality. Providing a comprehensive range of services to the food industry, Food Care Solutions offers services including food safety and food quality, local authority, SALSA, BRC, FSSC 22000 and other compliance, supplier auditing, training, hygiene inspections and internal audits, complaints and incidents management.

Gaining an industry leading reputation throughout its 18 years in operation, Food Care Solutions is renowned for its exceptional consultancy services for the food industry. The company’s consultants are trained in most aspects of the food industry and maintain a wealth of experience in food microbiology and other laboratory disciplines, as well as qualifications in food safety and quality systems auditing. The consultants have industry experience across the board and have the expertise to ensure their clients feel confident that they are getting the best service available.

Food Care Solutions is fully equipped and familiar with most of the third party standards, including BRC, FSSC 22000, IFS and the standards of some of the larger customer organisations such as Tesco, Morrisons, Yum! and Wetherspoons. The company is fully committed to ensuring a turnkey service for its client. Assisting throughout the whole process, they complete the task, fulfil the requirements, help to implement the strategy, and oversee it, to make sure it is working efficiently. Food Safety Solutions also keeps its clients informed of any changes in law, new developments, and relevant occurrences.

Regardless of whether a client is only just starting, or wants to progress to certification against one of the standards, the company has the skills, time and experience to assist them to achieve their goals. Food Care Solutions works on a personal basis, gaining an understanding of the client’s needs and working with them in partnership to achieve their aims. With a strong focus on efficiency, the company aims to help the clients get where they want to be with as little complication and change as possible.

For more information on the company, please see the details featured below:

M 07811 192545

fcs@food-care.co.uk

www.food-care.co.uk

Sustainable paper solutions

In this issue of Sustainability Today, we are delighted to have chosen Denmaur Paper Media as our Print and Publishing Company of the Month.

Denmaur Paper Media was established in 1983 by Mike Gee, CEO and his brother Nick Gee, Managing Director. As a long-standing established name within the print and publishing industry, Denmaur Paper Media stands as one of the leading specialist paper suppliers in the UK. Denmaur Paper Media comprises of two divisions: Denmaur Paper, which is a stockist paper and a board merchant servicing the UK’s commercial print sector; and Denmaur Media, a specialist in providing a managed paper supply to publishers and end users who recognise the benefits of sourcing their own paper for print.

their printed media and communications.

“We specialise in the sale and distribution of paper and paper fibre board products for the print and conversion sectors. Our products are used for everything from magazines, books, pads, envelopes, greetings cards and all sorts of packaging – including food packaging and zero plastic disposable cups,” stated Danny Doogan, Director of Marketing and Sustainability.

Offering a large range of innovative and sustainable products for print and conversion, in 2016, Denmaur Paper Media became the first Carbon Balanced paper merchant in the UK. “We are able to offer a complete choice of paper grades and weights for conventional and modern printing processes. All of our paper grades are either forest management certified (FSC or PEFC) or recycled (made from certified post-consumer waste). This is a guarantee that our paper grades are sustainably sourced, and the raw materials of any virgin fibre grades can be traced back to their tree species and country of harvest,” said Danny.

Traditionally, Denmaur Paper Media has served mainly printers and convertors, however, as the world around us is changing and the responsibility lies within us all to create change and actively seek sustainable alternatives, the opportunity for end users to use the World Land Trust’s Carbon Balanced Paper Logo on their printed products has been made possible through Denmaur Paper Media.

Regarding sustainability as the heartbeat of its sourcing policy, Denmaur Paper Media offer a simple, valid and measurable way for companies and organisations to reduce the carbon impacts of

As well as positively taking action against climate change, The Carbon Balanced Paper scheme comes with the added benefits of an independent Carbon Balanced paper website with direct audience access, a registered World Land Trust Carbon Balanced Paper logo for all printed media and comms, a World Land Trust certificate which is useful for CSR reporting which shows good business practice by supporting an international charity, and stands as a credible report that serves as an environmental record for ISO 14001 and Carbon reporting. “We offset the carbon emissions associated with the manufacture of any of our paper grades. Carbon foot printing has become standard practice in the paper industry, with mills annually declaring the breakdown of the emissions and energy usage associated with raw material procurement, manufacture and distribution. We use the World Land Trust’s Carbon Balanced Paper scheme to offset our paper products, which supports vital REDD + projects in some of the important areas of the planet,” stated Danny.

In addition to the company’s sterling sustainability profile, it also offers a large

unrivalled advantage stocking some of the biggest recognised sustainability brands in the industry. One notable paper brand being Revive, which is renowned for its comprehensive range of recycled papers for publishing and print.

Revive offers a definitive range of post-consumer waste recycled paper and boards for print and publishing. Made from FSC® Recycled certified post-consumer waste pulp and carbon balanced at source, the entire Revive product range available includes Revive Natural, Uncoated, Coated, Media, and Greyboard.

Denmaur Paper Media also stock Delipac, a truly sustainable barrier packaging board offering certified non-plastic, non-PFAS and completely recyclable food and drink packaging made entirely from paper fibre. Certified as 100% recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable, Delipac offers a convenient solution that respects the planet.

An exciting addition is Ecofoil Digital, a 100% recyclable new range of sustainable metallized paper and board products developed for digital print production that holds all the creative benefits of a metallized polyester but is certified plastic free. Allowing for in-foil embellishment with existing digital press without the need for any additional capex investment, Ecofoil Digital is a foil board substrate rather than a selective foil embellishment such as hot foil or digital foil. Available in GC1, Silk, Gloss and Carton GC1 substrates.

With the effects of COVID-19 still looming, many companies have suffered losses and setbacks due to the pandemics effect on the economy. Denmaur Paper Media, however, has remained strong and put itself in prime position for continued growth. “As part of our forward-thinking strategy, we prepped very well and adapted for what was to come in the way of lockdowns, business closures and transportation issues. Capacity and pricing are issues that we also share with other industries now, along with the new strain of COVID-19; but we remain confident and optimistic about the future and of the path that we continue to travel,” said Danny.

We spoke to Danny on what opportunities lie ahead, he responded, “Part of sustainability is understanding how outside behaviour and change can throw challenges and opportunities your way.

We believe in a paper fibre-based solution and that it will work with new technologies, and new ways of working and living. As we are working towards a carbon net zero and circular economy, paper is one of the very few materials that can fit in this future. Made from a natural resource (trees), it is also a store of atmospheric carbon emissions. It can be recycled up to eight times into a variety of different paper products, and when the fibre becomes too short for paper and board manufacture, it is used for agriculture and horticulture as a natural soil improver. So, it comes from the ground, serves many uses and it ends up in the ground – truly circular.”

Sustainability is the future and is key to what has shaped the company’s best practices since the beginning. With an increasing demand to implement environmental change by way of alternative materials, Denmaur Paper Media create purposeful, world changing solutions with endless possibilities.

For more information, see below: T 01795 426775 info@denmaur.com www.denmaur.com

Print & Packaging Matters

PET recycling label innovation

CCL Label, the world’s largest converter of pressure sensitive and extruded film materials for decorative, functional and information labels, has unveiled a new generation of their EcoStream® labels that support the recycling of PET bottles at a very high quality level.

They are made from floating low-density polyolefin material that separates very easily from the heavier PET flakes in the sink/float process step at the sorter and recycler – which results in the yield of clean PET flakes that can be recycled back into new bottles, closing the loop.

“The official endorsement by both the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) and the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) in the United States underpins the performance of the label in the recycling process and the compatibility with existing recycling streams and technology,” says Reinhard Streit, Vice President and Managing Director Food&Beverage Europe at CCL.

The EcoStream® SP (Shear Performance) clear & opaque white pressure sensitive label is a further development of the existing EcoStream version, that has been successfully supplied to the international beverage market for many years.

Freshly blown and immediately labelled bottles can induce folds or bubbles on regular labels. EcoStream® SP pressure sensitive labels are developed to keep perfect labelling through flexible properties in particular suitable on post-shrinking PET bottles.

All other valuable properties of basic EcoStream® labels are maintained unchanged and allow perfect and clean separation without contamination or discolouration neither of the washing bath nor PET-flakes.

beverage@cclind.com

Target Net Zero

We are all aware that the food packaging industry has a responsibility to its customers and stakeholders to reduce its environmental impact.

National Flexible believe that this is not only in supplying packaging that can help reduce CO2 but that we need to work in a sustainable manner along with our other social and environmental responsibilities. To this end, we are, wherever possible, developing our working practices to enable us to improve our business management in these areas.

In 2021 we helped our customers reduce their carbon footprint by 1010 tonnes CO2 through packaging reduction, plastic reduction, emission free printing and carbon neutrality. This is equivalent to 2.5 million car miles or 774 long haul flights.

We have reduced our own carbon footprint by 709 tonnes CO2 through initiatives like the installation of solar panels, creating a Climate Positive Workforce and tree planting. This is equivalent to 1 .8 million car miles or 543 long haul flights.

In total last year we saved 1719 tonnes CO2

We have also successfully gained ISO 14001 which is the international standard that specifies requirements for an effective environmental management system (EMS).

Come and see us on Stand D52 at Packaging Innovations NEC.

www.nationalflexible.co.uk

Recyclable pouches join the family of McCoos

How can a recyclable pouch possible do justice to the Steven Brown Art's – the McCoos?

When Deans of Huntly wanted to launch their range of Cookies in a recyclable pouch, they approached National Flexible for ideas. They had the designs which are incredible, incorporating Steven Brown Art’s McCoos but were worried that a recyclable laminated pouch wouldn’t do the designs justice as some recyclable materials can have a ‘dull’ finish similar to polyethylene.

National Flexible had already had extensive experience of recyclable films and pouches and were able to help. The pouches needed to have intensity of colour not only in the main design but also in the photographs of the small packs on the front.

“We needn’t have worried. National Flexible understood exactly what we wanted to achieve. We are extremely happy with the pouches – they look amazing!” said Michael from Deans of Huntly.

T 01274 685566

sales@nationalflexible.net

www.nationalflexible.co.uk

Brewing Matters

Brewery has no regrets following rebellious move from steam to thermal fluid

In 2015, with business improving but original process equipment reaching end-of-life, Rebellion Beer Company bucked the trend and, with impartial advice from heat transfer specialist Fulton, replaced its ageing steam boiler for a thermal fluid system. Now, six years on, we approached Rebellion’s Mark Gloyens to update us on how brewery life has coped with the switch. Anyone running a brewery will tell you just how critical the boil phase of the brewing process is; and when Rebellion set out on its journey from steam to thermal, they were warned that they’d never succeed in getting that clean flavour achieved from a steam-driven rolling boil.

“The move from steam to thermal was a leap of faith on our part, but the warnings received from other breweries have been proven to be incorrect!” says Rebellion Beer Company’s Mark Gloyens.

“Product quality has improved because we now have more control over temperature for the wort boiling process than ever before. We’re getting a very good quality boil that is controllable and we have achieved everything we wanted from the move from steam to thermal fluid.”

Thanks to the control and flexibility that the thermal system affords Rebellion, the brewery has had the ability to achieve various size batches as and when required. Until recently, this has enabled them to process research and development batches and has been especially useful throughout the pandemic when, at the beginning, throughput was decimated because pubs were forced to close. However, as lockdowns came and went, Rebellion successfully pivoted its business and started selling direct to the consumer via a home delivery service, which meant throughput very quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels, currently two to three batches per day, with each boil lasting up to 90 minutes.

“The beauty of the thermal fluid installation is its flexibility and ability to very easily adapt our changing brewing strategies,” says Mark.

“Historically we would have been doing two brews per day to achieve maximum output, but because of its flexibility, we are now able to shut the thermal fluid heater down for a day per week to deep clean the brewhouse and increase output to three brews per day for the remainder of the week. Something that would have been very difficult to achieve with steam.”

Beyond the control and flexibility, there are many other factors that have had a positive impact on Rebellion Beer Company, as Mark explains, “A steam boiler is essentially a pressure vessel and regulations state that pressurised systems must undergo an annual insurance inspection. This inspection would often take the steam boiler offline and mean our brewing processes were down for a day or more, with disruption from the downtime potentially being felt for several days after. Additionally, with even the best water treatment programme in place, steam at pressure can be very corrosive, leading to problems with steam traps, flanges and pipework, which we always seemed to be maintaining and was always therefore another potential for process downtime.

“With thermal being more of a closed loop system, we’ve not experienced the same issues with leaking gaskets, flanges, etc, making the whole installation not only look but also feel so much more reliable than steam!”

In putting a figure on the annual cost savings of maintaining a steam system – including servicing, water treatment, chemical dosing, etc – compared to thermal fluid, Mark Gloyens estimates that the thermal fluid system is much lower and could be at least half that of the previous steam boiler installation. And six years on, Mark estimates that the savings made compared to maintaining the old steam system – and despite the thermal fluid installation

being a more expensive capital outlay initially – has certainly contributed significantly to the return on investment, with the investment now fully paid for.

Expanding on the flexibilities of the thermal fluid system, Mark has also announced that Rebellion is about to tap into the existing brewhouse line to create a small-batch development brewery and yeast propagation plant on the site. “It’s been such an easy expansion to achieve. We’ve just been able to tap into the existing thermal fluid line and use the system for another duty without impacting on everything else.”

The new development line is capable of brewing five hectolitre (500 litre) batches and will enable

development or commercial batches – such as strong beers or one-off batches that may not appeal to the wider consumer – to be processed without having to invest in a full 4,000 litre brew.

Summarising, Mark Gloyens says that whenever he’s asked if Rebellion is happy with the thermal fluid installation from Fulton, he simply tells them to come and take a look because it speaks for itself. “It’s just a neat, compact installation that’s relatively maintenance free and extremely flexible!”

And when asked about his advice to anyone considering a new brewhouse or complete overhaul of existing plant, and perhaps sitting on the fence when it comes to

considering steam versus thermal? “You obviously need to consult the experts as we did when we approached Fulton over six years ago. They were completely unbiased because they manufacture both steam and thermal fluid solutions,” says Mark. “But for Rebellion Beer Company, a thermal fluid solution was a no brainer. It’s more cost-effective, more reliable, relatively maintenance free and a much neater, more compact system that still provides the quality of heating needed for brewing. It’s just a better way of doing it!”

Contact T +44 (0)117 972 3322 sales@fulton.co.uk www.fulton.co.uk

Company Of The Year

The very best chutneys and pickles from a historic, family run company

AtFood and Drink Matters, we are proud to recognise companies that are always looking to develop their products in the food industry, and for that reason we are very pleased to announce Drivers Pickles Ltd as our Company of the Year.

The Driver family can trace its roots back to the mid-19th century when it first started serving the local community with a grocery shop in the market town of Ibstock, then later in the City of Leicester. The family started producing pickles to sell in its shops around 1902, and the demand grew such that in 1906

Almost 125 years on, the company is owned by the fourth generation of Drivers, and it takes pride that today the products are still made in the same tradition as they were in Frederick’s era. In 2017, the company took the decision to create a Deli range, combining only the finest ingredients with vinegars from around the world. This enabled Drivers to deliver the traditional family product, but with a modern twist.

When Sarah Driver developed Drivers Pickles as a brand for Drivers Foods Ltd, she was passionate about finding a niche in the market that other similar companies could not offer, and her first priority was to ensure that the taste of the pickles and chutneys were of the highest quality. Sarah took her products to an artisan market in Melton Mowbray, and allowed customers to try the products and offer suggestions as to how they could be improved. At the end of each day of the market, Drivers Pickles had not only sold out of its stock, but also had some important ideas as to how to develop the products.

Five years on, Sarah has over 100 direct accounts, and Drivers Pickles can now be found across the UK in farm shops, delis, garden centres and Co-ops across the Midlands. As most retailers often offer chutneys but rarely pickles, Sarah saw a gap in the market for these products and in aiming to be unique, specifically aimed at these customer bases.

In 2021 Drivers Pickles employed Claire Heaney, a qualified chef to work alongside Sarah to develop new recipes. So far, Claire and Sarah have introduced a sun-dried tomato chutney and a chilli chutney, and this is just the beginning. One of Drivers Pickles’ major partners is the American company TJX that regularly order stock from the UK. Sarah designed special labels for this market that focus on the history of the company and deliver a unique brand message. Inspired by the American influence, Claire also developed new pickle recipes including capucine capers and chopped gherkin pickles that have both proved very popular.

All packaging used by Drivers Pickles is sustainable. From the cardboard and, glass jars to the specially developed jar lids that are PVC-free and fully recyclable. Drivers is also committed to creating a sustainable production cycle and finding methods to be more environmentally conscious with the energy used.

In 2019, the company committed to take a more progressive approach towards the utilities that power the business. It is now proud to say that the electricity used in the production of goods is 100% renewable with zero carbon emissions. By sourcing electricity from wind, hydro and solar, Drivers hopes to reduce the impact that the business has on the environment.

Drivers Pickles is known around the world and is commonly exported to other countries. Sarah was recently put forward by the Department for International Trade (DIT) to attend an event held at 10 Downing Street to celebrate British food and exports. The company already exports to countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada as well as the US, and this aspect of the business is one of which Sarah is working hard to extend. Hopefully Thailand is to become the next country on board, and there have also been exploratory discussions with a chain of supermarkets in the Middle East.

The company has recently upscaled some of its bestselling chutneys and pickles to catering size jars and has also introduced a range of pre-sealed gift boxes including an all year-round cheese lovers giftbox, a happy Christmas box and a Summer picnic box. The next step for Drivers Pickles will be to include table sauces and vinegars to the range of products as Sarah continues her product development. Sarah is aware that Drivers Pickles needs to stand out in a crowded marketplace. As the family is extremely proud of its history, Sarah is also keen to leave a legacy for her children too. Sarah commented, “when buying from us, customers not only get a great product, but also a nice design which is entirely bespoke to us. The glass jars have a branded D on them, and the labels point to our rich history. I love the thought of the jars being out on family tables with the Christmas cheeseboard.”

Drivers Pickles is continually looking to improve the products and services it can offer. In closing, we asked Sarah why she felt the company was in the best position for future growth, she answered, “we are proud of our history, but we always want to move forward. We use the best ingredients from all around the world, and with the addition of Claire to the company, we can continue adding to our food range.”

For more information:

T 0116 233 8833 press@pickle-lovers.co.uk www.pickle-lovers.co.uk

Drivers Pickle and Vinegar Company was established by Frederick Charles Driver. Its main business centred around Pickled Onions and Malt Vinegar selling to local fishmongers and to other grocery shops in and around Leicester.