Year of opportunity Year of opportunity INTERNATIONAL Conveying Sorting and weighing Import and exportShady Lane, Great Barr, Birmingham, B44 9EU England For all your Power Transmission Solutions • Roller Chain • Gears & Sprockets • Timing Belt Drives • V Belt Pulleys • V Belts • Clamping Elements • Inverted Tooth Chain • Inverted Tooth Sprockets • Sealmaster Bearings • Shaft Couplings • Freewheel Clutches • Torque Limiters • Overload Clutches • Sheargard Clutches • McGill® Cam Followers • Gearboxes The Driving Force In Power Transmission sales@crossmorse.com www.crossmorse.com Power Transmission Solutions powered by employee share-ownership 02476 420065 kitepackaging.co.uk Download our app today! Find out more Pallet wrap for your businessfo DĂĐŚŝŶĞƐƚƌĞƚĐŚĮůŵƐĨƌŽŵ 40% - 300%+ yield 12 micron - clear PP 300% stretch 23 micron - blue PP 250% stretch 25 micron - black PP 250% stretch Scan QR code ƚŽƐĞĞŽƵƌĨƵůůƌĂŶŐĞ 23 micron - white PP 250% stretch Food handling DĂĐŚŝŶĞƐƚƌĞƚĐŚĮůŵƐĨƌŽŵ 40% - 300%+ yield 2,500 products ŽŶůŝŶĞ We are carbon neutral Next day ĚĞůŝǀĞƌLJ Mobile app for iOS & Android powered by employee share-ownership PP 250% stretchContents January 2025 This magazine is now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. FoodandDrinkInternational @fdiforumwww.fdiforum.net company/fdiforum News 4 • General news • On line - production news • On the shelf - new products and initiatives Import and export12 Having recently come first in the 2024 list of the world’s best cuisines, published annually by TasteAtlas, the success of Greece’s food exports is perhaps no surprise. Health, safety and hygiene spotlight16 From rigorous cleaning routines to the importance of microbiology, health, safety, and hygiene must be front centre of any food and drink company. Cartoning and sleeving20 Concerns over corporate sustainability, as well as the desire to keep manufacturing costs down amidst the cost of living crisis has caused some to re-evaluate whether standard packaging practices are as efficient as they could be. New year, new supplier24 Loyalty is its own reward, or so the saying goes, but 2024 has been a difficult year with the state of the economy and the geopolitical strife, and food and drink manufacturers are having to cut costs wherever they can. Sometimes it’s best to shop around when it comes to suppliers. Group Editor: Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor: Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor’s PA: Angela Sharman (a.sharman@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalist: Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales Director: Teri Cooper (t.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Sales: Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310302 Accounts & Subscriptions: John Downes (j.downes@blmgroup.co.uk) Design & Production: Gary Jorgensen, Mark Casson (studio@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial: Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310305 Email: fdi@blmgroup.co.uk Part of the Business Link Magazine Group: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE England All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of those held by the publisher. Main: stock.adobe.com/rnl • Top: stock.adobe.com/paulacobleigh • Middle: stock.adobe.com/ anaumenko • Bottom: stock.adobe.com/ Sergey Ryzhov Bakery and confectionary26 There has been a push in the bakery and confectionary industries toward healthier foods in recent years – not only for vegan, plant-based and gluten-free product, but also for food with functional or beneficial ingredients. Pumps and fluids 30 Vital components in food and drink production, there is much to consider when choosing the right pumps for a processing line. Conveying 34 Simplicity and efficiency are the keywords when it comes to conveying. Sorting and weighing 38 The nature of sorting is changing. Today’s world is faster paced than ever before and distribution centres need to handle increased volumes of packages, and a greater variety of shapes and sizes, all whilst aiming to slash delivery times and satiate eager customers. Events 42 Your chance to keep abreast of forthcoming exhibitions and food fairs from around the world. Food and Drink Diary 46Constellation Brands to divest SVEDKA brand Constellation Brands, a beverage alcohol company, has reached an agreement with global spirits company Sazerac, to divest its SVEDKA brand. The decision builds on the company’s strategic efforts to further align the wine and spirits portfolio with evolving consumer preferences and growing market sectors, focusing on higher end wine and spirits brands and products. Over the last few years, Constellation has divested the majority of its popular and mainstream wine and spirits brands within the portfolio and is focused on competing predominantly in premium and fine wine and craft spirits segments. “The actions we have taken over the past several years to reshape our wine and spirits portfolio support our efforts to accelerate the performance of that business,” said Bill Newlands, President and Chief Executive Officer, Constellation Brands. “This transaction is another step forward in seeking to ensure that our wine and spirits portfolio is optimized to succeed and to meet our growth objectives.” 4 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Kingsmoor Packaging expands in-house design and toolroom capabilities with 3rd CNC machine investment Kingsmoor Packaging has increased its in-house capabilities by investing in a third state-of-the-art CNC machine from YMT Technologies. The move highlights Kingsmoor’s ongoing commitment to advancing its design and toolroom facilities, ensuring superior production efficiency to meet increasing customer demand. The new CNC machine will seamlessly integrate with the company’s existing machines via a unified Heidenhain interface and program software. The alignment helps streamline Kingsmoor’s operations, optimising workflow and upscaling productivity. With features such as a 28-holder automatic tool carousel and advanced swarf conveyor systems, the new CNC can run unmanned for extended periods, including nights and weekends. This operational flexibility allows Kingsmoor to increase output, reduce tool change times, and deliver faster turnarounds for sample and tool production. Beyond operational efficiency, the new CNC machine’s speed, high-quality finish and versatility are invaluable as Kingsmoor’s workload grows. Designed for demanding production environments, the machine’s automated features allow it to operate autonomously, ensuring consistent output and high precision even under pressure. Find out more about Kingsmoor Packaging at https://www.kingsmoorpackaging.co.uk/ Hygiena acquires Nexcor Food Safety Technologies Hygiena, a food safety and environmental diagnostics firm, has completed the acquisition of Nexcor Food Safety Technologies, Inc., the creator of KLEANZ and CAMS-PM, two software solutions for managing sanitation and equipment maintenance in food and beverage manufacturing facilities. Steven Nason, CEO of Hygiena, said: Effective cleaning and monitoring of facilities with food safety diagnostic testing are essential for quality control and risk mitigation across all food processing environments. “With our acquisition of Nexcor software solutions, we plan to integrate our SureTrend® analytics platform with KLEANZ’s sanitation software, delivering powerful tools to drive quality improvement, prevent food safety issues and enhance operational efficiencies. “Hygiena’s extensive global customer base and commercial channels will introduce KLEANZ and CAMS-PM software solutions, along with our integrated SaaS food safety offerings, to a wider audience. This expanded portfolio provides our customers with a streamlined, prevention-focused approach to sanitation and food safety management. “With a centralized platform offering comprehensive, real-time solutions, we are empowering businesses to enhance their food safety programs and operational effectiveness worldwide.” Robert Burgh, President of Nexcor Food Safety Technologies, Inc., said: “This collaboration with Hygiena allows Nexcor to create greater customer value by streamlining two critical, interconnected functions within food companies worldwide. Together, we accelerate market growth while staying true to our values of innovation, integrity and customer satisfaction. “We are excited to merge our expertise, creating enhanced SaaS platforms and comprehensive solutions for sanitation, safety and compliance management. United, we are poised to lead the future of food safety with a shared vision and strong commitment.” i2r secures exclusive sole supply agreement with Greencore UK aluminium foil tray manufacturer, i2r Packaging Solutions, has announced that it has secured an exclusive supply agreement with foods producer, Greencore. As a leading international manufacturer of convenience foods, primarily operating in the UK and Ireland, Greencore specialises in producing a wide range of chilled, ambient and frozen products, which are supplied to major retailers and foodservice outlets. i2r has supplied Greencore with its smoothwall aluminium products for several years. This new deal expands the relationship, with i2r set to also supply its wrinklewall containers. Commenting on the agreement, Greencore’s Scott Merchant, said: “i2r is renowned for being a leader in innovation, which is one of the key reasons we selected them as the sole supplier of our aluminium packaging. We also highly value their partnership approach to working with suppliers and the advantages that come from their extensive group infrastructure, including owning a European-based rolling mill and lacquering plant. This offers us flexibility, excellent product development opportunities and significant purchasing benefits.” Find out more about i2r Packaging Solutions at https://i2rps.com/ Steven Nason, CEO of Hygiena © stock.adobe.com/Roman TiraspolskyTrusted by professionals worldwide, Teknomek provides hygienic furniture and equipment tailored to the highest industry standards. •High quality materials •Innovative designs •Bespoke and customised solutions Visit our website at teknomek.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)1603 249 663 today! Leading the way in hygienic design6 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news British pork’s back on the menu for customers in China British pork can once again be exported to the country’s biggest market – China – with the end of that country’s Covid-era restrictions on UK unprocessed pork exports meaning a potential revenue boost of £80m for the industry. China bought around £180 million worth of pigmeat in 2023 alone – making them the UK’s biggest non-EU customer. Now, with these restrictions lifted, even more British produce will be heading east. The development comes after talks during the Foreign Secretary’s recent visit to China. Representatives from Defra and the Department for Business and Trade have worked to get British pork back on Chinese menus in collaboration with industry, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board and the UK Export Certification Partnership. Minister for Food Security Daniel Zeichner said: “This is a massive win for British pork producers who will now be able to send their high-quality products to one of our largest markets, worth £180 million.” Combilift scoops ‘Company of the Year’ at the 2024 Business & Finance Awards Combilift, the global leader in material handling solutions, has been awarded Company of the Year at the prestigious Business & Finance Awards 2024, in association with KPMG Ireland. The Company of the Year award, presented to Combilift’s CEO Martin McVicar by Seamus Hand from KPMG at the 50th Business & Finance Awards ceremony – held in Dublin, is a testament to the company’s significant impact on both the Irish economy and the global market. Combilift, with annual revenue exceeding €500 million, has continued to thrive with its export-focused business model, with 98% of its operations serving international markets. Martin McVicar, CEO of Combilift, said: “This award reflects the bold vision and relentless drive that has been at the heart of Combilift since Robert Moffett and I started in 1998. Every forklift, every innovation, and every milestone reflects our commitment to pushing boundaries and transforming material handling worldwide. This moment belongs to our employees, our dealers, and our customers, who rely on us to deliver quality material handling solutions to optimise their warehouse space.” To learn more about Combilift visit https://combilift.com/ Ohly opens Customer Innovation Center Ohly, a global supplier of yeast-based ingredients and culinary powders, has opened a new Customer Innovation Center, located just outside Chicago, in one of the most active regions for the US food industry. The facility is designed to accelerate close collaboration with customers and partners through on-site concepting and solution development across the food and nutrition space. Fully equipped with a modern sampling lab and state-of- the-art test kitchen, the new centre stocks Ohly’s entire range of yeast ingredients and specialty powders to facilitate rapid testing and development. Ohly’s Customer Innovation Center has an array of commercial equipment to mimic industry processes, including combi convection cooking, frying, meat processing, snack coating, and blast chilling. It provides a space where customers can work with Ohly’s application team on refining tailored recipe solutions and developing new ideas in line with the latest food trends. In addition, there is an analytical lab for testing the key parameters of ingredients and formulations, along with a suite of meeting and ideation spaces that allow for collaboration, training, and trend presentations. © Andres Poveda Ian Hyland, Business & Finance, Martin McVicar, Combilift, and Seamus Hand, KPMG Drinks business toasts export success with £4.5m deal A premium drinks producer based in Cheltenham has secured £4.5 million in financing to support their global export of bespoke drinks packages, including to Asia. Provided by HSBC, the package combines a receivables finance facility of £3 million and a trade finance facility of £1.5 million, the latter guaranteed by UKEF, the government export credit agency. Founded by two friends, Gravity Drinks already exports to markets including USA, Canada, Scandinavia, Taiwan, Japan, and New Zealand, selling its premium spirit and liqueur brands to large overseas retailers. Seasonal demand for its drinks means that the business requires additional working capital to ramp up production in the run-up to Christmas, New Year and other seasonal celebrations. UK Export Finance helped to secure HSBC financing with a guarantee offered through its General Export Facility (GEF) product – this helped UK exporters to access over £576 million in working capital loans in the last financial year. Gravity has already been able to use the financing to make Christmas shipments, producing 35,000 units of Costco’s annual “Whisky Tour of the World” advent calendar, which has been a sell-out in 2024. The business has also used the finance to launch a number of other new products and white labelling for international customers in Asia. This has supported Gravity in continuing its year-on-year revenue growth since it was founded in 2018, with a total order value of just under £8 million booked in 2024. New financing also supports the business’s efforts to invest in new equipment and create new roles at its offices in Cheltenham. © stock.adobe.com/Olga NayashkovaFood & Drink International 7 www.fdiforum.net Loma Systems unveils X5 Pack Curtainless X-ray Inspection System for lightweight and unpackaged products Introducing the X5 Pack Curtainless X- ray System, specially designed to eliminate traditional X-ray curtains and meet customers’ needs, addressing several critical issues in the food inspection industry for certain food characteristics. Engineered to be curtain- free, this solution allows inspection of lightweight, unsealed, or dry unpackaged food products with zero curtain contact. This X5 Pack Curtainless is now available from Loma Systems, experts and global leaders in food quality and safety inspection technologies. Meeting customer feedback, by removing the actual curtains, Loma Systems has increased successful product presentation as lightweight products will not jam or twist when inspected, reducing the risk of false rejects and delivering higher accuracy and efficiency in the inspection process. For unpackaged dry products, the benefit of curtain-free is to help stop cross-contamination as there are no curtains in contact with the food, making the system easier to clean. Find more information about the X5 Pack Curtainless and how it can benefit your production line at https://www.loma.com/en- gb/products/x-ray-inspection/x5-pack-curtainless news TreeHouse Foods snaps up Harris Tea TreeHouse Foods is to acquire certain subsidiaries that operate the private brand tea business of Harris Freeman & Co. (Harris Tea), a private brand tea manufacturer in the U.S., for approximately $205m. “The acquisition of Harris Tea strengthens our competitive positioning in the fast-growing tea category and adds unique blending and sourcing capabilities that customers desire, building upon TreeHouse Foods’ category leadership, enhancing our position through additional depth and scale,” said Steve Oakland, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President. “This acquisition aligns with our long-term strategy to build capabilities in our higher-growth, higher-margin categories,” he added. The acquisition includes Harris Tea’s manufacturing facilities in Moorestown, NJ and Marietta, GA, and TreeHouse Foods will welcome approximately 300 Harris Tea team members. “The tea category presents significant opportunity for future growth,” said Kevin Shah, Co-CEO of Harris Freeman. “It was clear that TreeHouse Foods would provide a great fit for our next chapter of growth, given its depth of capabilities, scale, industry expertise, and customer relationships, and I am confident we will maintain our upward trajectory as a result of this transaction.” © stock.adobe.com/5second8 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Sonoco completes acquisition of Eviosys, creating a leader in metal packaging Sonoco Products Company, a sustainable packaging firm, has completed its acquisition of Eviosys, the metal packaging manufacturer, from KPS Capital Partners. The combination creates a leading metal food and aerosol can manufacturer. Following the integration process, Eviosys will transition to the Sonoco brand over the coming months and will operate under Sonoco’s Consumer Packaging segment. The business will continue to be led by Tomás López, CEO of Eviosys. Howard Coker, President and CEO of Sonoco, said: “This combination creates a global leader in metal packaging, and we are excited to begin executing our integration plans and welcome the incredibly talented team at Eviosys. “We see new and significant opportunities to unlock additional capabilities and end-markets in this larger, scaled business and look forward to investing in our combined product platform as we meet the growing demand for innovative solutions from our customers.” Supreme saves Typhoo Tea Supreme PLC, a manufacturer and supplier of fast-moving consumer goods, has purchased Typhoo Tea. This means the iconic Typhoo brand will continue to be available to consumers in the UK and around the world, while remaining in British hands. Typhoo Tea Limited fell into administration on 27 November 2024, leaving the future of Typhoo, which was established in 1903, in serious doubt. Supreme’s purchase has saved it from sudden disappearance. The acquisition also includes QT, Lift, Herbalists, Heath & Heather, London Fruit & Herb Company, Glengettie, Melrose’s, Ridgeways, Red Mountain Coffee and Fresh Brew. Supreme plans to turn Typhoo’s fortunes around by leveraging its efficient supply network to keep products flowing into stores, thereby reducing some of the costs which were dragging Typhoo down, and giving it a new lease of life. Sandy Chadha, Supreme CEO, said: “Typhoo is such an iconic brand, and with Supreme’s distribution network and resources, we have the scope to grow and develop it.” Food packaging manufacturers Novolex and Pactiv Evergreen to combine Novolex and Pactiv Evergreen have entered into a definitive agreement to combine, to create a leading manufacturer in food, beverage and specialty packaging products. The combination brings together two complementary businesses that will offer a broad product platform, establishing one of the most diverse substrate offerings in the packaging industry. The asset base will include an extensive manufacturing footprint and an expansive distribution network, enhancing the combined company’s ability to serve customers ranging from large, blue-chip brands to small businesses that serve millions of consumers every day. “This transaction reflects the continuation of our long-term growth strategy to create the industry’s most innovative, sustainable and customer-focused company,” said Stan Bikulege, Chairman and CEO of Novolex. “Pactiv Evergreen’s strong product portfolio, along with their talented team, will complement and add significant depth to Novolex’s diverse packaging solutions.” © Supreme © stock.adobe.com/monticellllo Canada’s Drizzle Honey gobbled up Wisdom Natural Brands, parent company of the SweetLeaf brand of natural sugar substitutes, has acquired Canada-based Drizzle Honey, a provider of sustainably sourced raw and superfood honey products. The transaction adds a complementary line to Wisdom’s natural sweetener portfolio and opens the door for U.S. distribution of Drizzle products at a time of strong growth in the honey category. Drizzle produces 100% pure, unprocessed, bee-friendly honey sourced exclusively from beekeepers who place their hives away from synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Products include white raw and golden raw honeys; raw honey infused with organic superfoods such as ginger, turmeric, cacao and berries; and craft products such as cinnamon-spiced honey and hot honey infused with spicy crushed chilies – all free of allergens, added sugar, preservatives, artificial ingredients and GMOs. The Drizzle line is currently distributed in 1,200 retail stores in Canada and through the company’s online store. Wisdom’s acquisition will extend the brand’s reach to the U.S. market, where more than 11,000 Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, Safeway, Walmart, Publix, Amazon and other locations carry SweetLeaf stevia, monk fruit and other natural sweeteners. The addition of a honey brand to Wisdom’s portfolio aligns directly with the company’s focus on providing healthy alternatives to refined sugar while also expanding its footprint into one of today’s highest-growth natural sweetener categories. “Honey fits perfectly into our line of natural sweeteners, and Drizzle Honey adds bonus wellness and environmental benefits by providing raw honey that retains more of its natural nutrients, line extensions with health-boosting superfoods, and sustainable beekeeping practices that are critical to maintaining pollinator populations,” said Michael May, CEO of Wisdom Natural Brands. “It’s an ideal addition to the options we offer to consumers looking for natural ways to sweeten their food.” © Drizzle Honey Howard Coker, President and CEO of SonocoFood & Drink International 9 www.fdiforum.net Damm to become exclusive distributor of Kirin Ichiban in the UK Spanish beer company Damm has signed a long- term deal with Japanese Brewery Kirin Holdings to become the exclusive UK distributor for the authentic KIRIN ICHIBAN beer. The agreement will commence on 1st January 2025. ‘Kirin’ has been sold in the UK since 1993 and is the only major beer brewed exclusively with First Press wort – hence the name ‘Ichiban’, meaning ‘the first one’. Thanks to this unique method, it is a flavourful yet smooth beer, with a gentle malt character, finely balanced by the bitterness of the hops. Subtle fruity aromas come from Kirin’s original yeast, with floral notes from selected hop varieties. These elements make KIRIN ICHIBAN the perfect fit with authentic cuisine from Japan – which is why UK- based Japanese restaurants (and even British pubs) that put importance on authenticity, tend to list KIRIN ICHIBAN on their menu. Damm is a brewer from Barcelona whose main business activity is the production, bottling and distribution of beer, as well as other drinks including water, soft drinks, and milk. news Arla Foods Ingredients moves ahead with acquisition of Volac Whey Nutrition business Arla Foods Ingredients is moving forward with its acquisition of Volac’s Whey Nutrition business, after it was approved by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority. The regulator’s go-ahead followed an agreement between the two companies, which was signed in April 2024. The business is built around a processing facility at Felinfach in Wales, which handles large volumes of whey and specialises in the production of whey protein isolate (WPI). The site will now become a cornerstone of Arla Foods Ingredients’ global production facilities, with further investment and expansion planned in the coming years. The acquisition gives Arla Foods Ingredients a significant additional quantity of whey, helping it meet a growing market need. There is particular demand for WPI in the health and sports nutrition sectors, which grew by a CAGR of 9% between 2010 and 2023. Arla Foods Ingredients now projects that its sales of WPI will rise significantly over the next five years. The facility will also produce whey fat concentrate and lactose. Kite Packaging Delivers Affordable Sustainability with Takeaway Packaging Range In today’s eco-conscious world, consumers are making deliberate efforts to reduce their environmental impact. This shift is transforming buying habits and redefining the business landscape. For companies in the food and drink industry – an industry often criticised for excessive waste and not-so-eco-friendly practices – adopting sustainable packaging is no longer optional; it is a necessity. Deloitte UK reports that sustainability significantly influences purchasing decisions, with 80% of UK consumers preferring environmentally friendly packaging materials. However, 61% of consumers cite cost as the biggest barrier to making sustainable choices, highlighting the need for affordable and effective solutions. Kite Packaging meets this demand with a comprehensive range of eco-conscious takeaway food packaging options, helping businesses align with consumer expectations without compromising on quality or cost-effectiveness. From kraft boxes and bowls to recyclable cups and biodegradable wooden cutlery, each product combines functionality with sustainability. Made from paper and lightweight by design, they help to reduce transport emissions and signal eco-friendliness to customers, enhancing brand perception. Kite’s biodegradable options decompose quickly into non- toxic, natural components, leaving no waste behind. Meanwhile local production further minimises carbon emissions associated with transportation, supporting both environmental goals and the UK manufacturing sector. For companies in the takeaway sector, Kite Packaging offers practical, affordable solutions that help fulfil this growing demand. Visit www.kitepackaging.co.uk to explore Kite’s takeaway food packaging range and take the next step towards a greener future. Alternatively, speak to one of their packaging advisors on 02476 420065 to find the perfect solution for your business. powered by employee share-ownershipNext >