Industry News

INDUSTRY NEWS THE SCOTTISH BAKER

NEW LOOK COMMERCIAL OPERATION WELL UNDERWAY AT FLEMING HOWDEN

Fleming Howden is delighted to announce two new appointments to facilitate the growth and development of the existing commercial operation, based in Newbridge and distributing throughout Scotland. Thomas Mackay; joined the business in November 2019 as Sales Manager, linking with Key Account Manager, Chris Boland; who has been in the role since April 2018. The Commercial Team was further bolstered in January 2020, with the appointment of Alan Leith, who was recruited as Technical Sales Manager. Thomas commented: “I am delighted to join a business that has a strong reputation in its heartland and beyond. We are fully aware of the quality and diversity that our core range of mixes can deliver to our loyal customer base. I look forward to working closely with both Chris and Alan to facilitate this notion.” Thomas continued: “We also look forward to reinforcing our focus on our Independent Scottish customer base and enhancing our overall offering.” With over 35 years of Baking Industry experience, Alan Leith brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role. A member of the BCA and Aberdeen Bakers Incorporation. Alan commented: “With a love of baking and a long-standing passion for the Scottish Bakery trade, I’m a great supporter of Scottish bakers. I look forward to working with our Customer base, bringing new products to market which I’m sure will excite both manufacturers and their customers.” Alan has previously held the position of Head Baker at Macphie, where he also worked in New Product Development; Quality; Product and Field Applications. Alan expanded: “I’m experienced in many different types of Bakery: Small; Medium and Large Craft; Semi-Industrial; Industrial; Hotel and Coffee Shop. I’ve also worked around the world, from Europe to China. I’m delighted to be joining such a great Sottish bakery brand and look forward to showcasing our great products to the Scottish market. as well as being able to offer any technical advice.”

Chris Boland, Alan Leith & Thomas Mackay

AB MAURI’s Managing Director, Andrew Pollard commented: “I am thrilled to welcome someone with Alan’s Bakery Industry experience and knowledge of the Scottish market to Fleming Howden. With the backing of AB MAURI’s technical team and craft skills, we’re very confident of satisfying the future needs of all Scottish bakers.”

SUPPORT FOR SMALL BAKERIES Funding for independent and family-run businesses.

Small bakeries will benefit from £125,000 to help mitigate challenges faced by small food retailers. The Scottish Government funding has been shared among 34 independent and family-run bakers across Scotland facing competition from bigger chains. Administered by Scottish Bakers, the grant scheme will help businesses modernise facilities, improve energy efficiency and reduce waste. Among the successful applicants are Bashar Helmi and his son-in-law Mohamed Helmi who opened a Syrian patisserie on the Isle of Bute in 2018. They were awarded £5,000 to purchase new mixing equipment and a coffee machine. Mairi Gougeon MSP visits Helmi’s on the Isle of Bute

Visiting Helmi’s patisserie in Rothesay Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon said: “It is wonderful to see firsthand how this scheme is helping to ensure the future of independent and family-run bakeries which play such a key role on in our villages, towns and cities across Scotland. “Over recent years small bakeries have faced increasing pressures, particularly from competition from bigger chains and economic uncertainty caused by Brexit. This support

will help bakers invest in their facilities, reduce waste and improve energy efficiency within their businesses.” Mohamed Helmi said: We started our business in 2018 and since then we have grown very quickly which is great but we have plans to expand even further, This grant will help us to continue to thrive as a business which provides employment for skilled workers and also contributes to the community here in Bute.”

INDUSTRY NEWS THE SCOTTISH BAKER

BROW PACKAGING

Brow Packaging, based in Belfast, was formed by John C. Brow who came over from Glasgow to service Ireland & Scotland with packaging. He soon chose to make Ireland his home and the company was set up in 1943 during the Second World War. Given the current corona-virus backdrop it seems apt to realise this is not the first time the business, its staff and its customers have had to face difficult times – we have photos of the founder in the Belfast Home Guard dealing with aspects of the Blitz! 76 years on we remain a family business with traditional values, manufacturing and supplying a large range of products, with bakeries still being the biggest market we service. We have an experienced and dedicated team supplying a diverse customer base, in many sectors home and abroad - there won’t be many households on a weekly basis not consuming products we have helped to package. The landscape of packaging continues to shift, and everyone is aware of the trend away from plastic toward more eco-friendly options. It has provided a challenge for both us and our customers as we try to offer alternative solutions that keep food fresh and on the shelves for as long as possible. We offer a range of compostable and biodegradable options, with some customers choosing to switch to PLA or Natureflex bags, and cocoa shell bun cases or cake moulds. Ultimately your post code and local council determines whether these packaging options will end up being composted or just going to landfill, so we believe that customer

education is key as quite often offering recyclable plastics can often still be the best solution. We are certainly facing strange times, in the coming weeks. Local bakeries are going to be important in providing good food quickly via short supply chains which, as usual, we will do our best to assist.

MORE INFORMATION You can view our online catalogue at www.browpack.com. If you have any queries about the products we offer please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

INDUSTRY NEWS THE SCOTTISH BAKER

MEETING HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

A new approach in using plant-based oils and fats could hold the key to developing products that are healthier, suitable for vegans and more sustainable for the planet, says AAK UK. The food industry has never before faced so many simultaneous challenges. Products must be lower in sugar, calories and saturated fat, suitable for vegans, free from plastic packaging and environmentally sustainable – as well as tasty and affordable. AAK’s novel, holistic approach explores the synergies between plant oil components and other ingredients in food. Through co-development with customers, AAK is creating products that meet every challenge. We call this approach INNOBO – Innovation Beyond Oil.

Health and nutrition Cutting sugar and calories in foods such as biscuits and cakes can have significant cost and technical implications but there are two often overlooked approaches. The sweetness and flavour of a product in the mouth depends as much on the fat profile as the type of sweetening agent. Changing the type of fat can mean sugar can be reduced much more easily! The calories, fat and saturated fat in a baked product often comes from the fillings, frostings and dairy components. The right oil blends can give stable, aerated textures in the body and the filling/topping with less fat, less calories and no loss of mouthfeel!

Sustainability & Responsible Sourcing At AAK, sustainability is in ourDNA. We are a founder member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and were the first to import certified sustainable palm to the UK. We incorporate sustainable and responsible sourcing policies for all the different oils we supply incorporating social as well as environmental programmes. In addition, our technologies can drastically lower the amount of plastic and other packaging used in the supply chain, as well as reducing the number of vehicle journeys required to transport our products to you.

Sustainable oils We supply a variety of responsibly sourced ingredients. Including: - Segregated (SG) sustainable palm oil - Shea oil - Coconut oil - Rapeseed oil Our sustainability experts offer support with selecting and using the right oils for each customer, as well as training, labelling advice and ongoing guidance. Whether you need a recipe, a sample, or a video consultation on your food challenges, simply email or call us.

MORE INFORMATION Please contact a member of our team to see how our co-development specialists can support you with your unique business challenges and help you reach your goals. Call 01482 332123 or email uk.info@aak.com.