Packaging spotlight Cold storage Depositors and filling Perfecting the process Perfecting the process INTERNATIONALShady Lane, Great Barr, Birmingham, B44 9EU England Tel: +44 (0)121 360 0155 Fax: +44 (0)121 325 1079 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 £445 VERO SORDERON O YIVERDELI FRREE of F our businor y agood packF ess ing Fin po endoutmor o.ukng.cagipackekit 02476 420065 rshwne-oe shareyemploy ed brewe Recy&^ĞƌƟĮĞĚ y!odaapp t wnloadourDo hip CompostableyclableBiodegradable Contents November 2023 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 • Appointments Import and export12 Looking to revitalise food exports to bolster its economy, Jamaica is expanding efforts to sell more products to the international market. Packaging spotlight16 Though maintaining the cold chain is of critical importance with certain foods – as we explore elsewhere in this issue – what’s to be done in the winter months for items that instead need protecting from the cold? Kite Packaging Q&A20 We speak to packaging specialists Kite Packaging this month to learn more about the company. Food service22 Food may be a basic need, but the food service industry is anything but. Talented hands in this diverse area are in charge of crafting the experience of dining into something that teaches people something new, reinventing simple sustenance. Food and Drink International takes a closer look. Soups and sauces 26 Soups and sauces can be found in most fridges and cupboards, but as palates become more adventurous and consumers increasingly health-conscious, new and exciting products will be required to keep these items on shopping lists. 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: Vicky Hunt (v.hunt@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/olegganko • Top: stock.adobe.com/monticellllo • Middle: stock.adobe.com/Peter • Bottom: stock.adobe.com /Grispb Depositors and filling30 From flow to the viscosity of throughput, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to depositing and filling. Cold storage34 Understanding the cold chain and its importance in the food industry is an essential part of delivering quality goods, whatever the size of your business. But on an industrial level, the complexities of integrating the practice into your strategies only multiply. Facilities management39 We explore how facilities management plays a pivotal, behind-the-scenes role in the food and drink industry, from hygiene to sustainability, ensuring top-notch quality and safety for your products and customers. Events42 Your chance to keep abreast of forthcoming exhibitions and food fairs from around the world. Classified 45 Food and Drink Diary 46Multiscan Technologies and WECO Form strategic partnership in EMEA region Multiscan Technologies and WECO, both members of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Solutions group, announce they have entered into a strategic partnership to support produce growers, processors, packers and re- packers throughout Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. In this region, Multiscan and WECO have integrated their product portfolios as well as sales and service organizations to offer customers improved access to their world-class optical sorters, graders and other vision inspection systems. WECO’s grading and process monitoring solutions integrate with Multiscan’s advanced vision inspection technology for a broad range of product applications. The combined power of Multiscan and WECO automation allows customers to better manage product quality, improve yield, increase line capacity and reduce labor. “Bringing Multiscan and WECO together in the EMEA region is great news for our customers. With a wide variety of automation solutions available from a single supply source, we’re delivering turnkey systems that fulfill each customer’s needs, considering their product grading objectives, line layout and throughput requirements,” said Jack Lee, Duravant Group President - Food Sorting and Handling Solutions. 4 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news Administrators appointed to KBOX Global Limited KBOX Global Limited, a brands and performance food tech business, has entered administration. Founded in 2015, KBOX operated via a cloud kitchen, or ‘dark kitchen’ model, utilising spare kitchen capacity in restaurants, hotels and pubs, and licensing a suite of delivery- only brands to its client base. The company also provided a one-stop solution platform for training and performance management. The company had experienced trading difficulties which led to pressure on its liquidity. After exploring a number of options, including the possibility of a sale of the business, it became clear that a solvent solution was not available, and as such, the directors took steps to seek the appointment of administrators. Immediately following the appointment of the joint administrators, Nick Holloway and Will Wright from Interpath Advisory, all 18 employees were made redundant. Nick Holloway, Managing Director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “This is a challenging time for many dark kitchen operators, as cost inflation continues to impact margins. We will now be exploring the rapid sale of both the brands and platform.” Food and drink manufacturers spend 13% more on innovation Business innovation spending on food and drink manufacturing has grown by 13% to reach £800 million, according to analysis of new Government statistics by Ryan, a global tax services and software provider. The data is captured by HMRC and is based on claims made for research and development (R&D) tax relief, which incentivises businesses to undertake innovation. Companies spent £800 million on food and drink R&D in 2021/22, an increase of 12.7% from £710 million in 2020/21. Despite this rise in expenditure, the number of R&D tax relief claims made by the sector fell by 1.4% from 2,095 to 2,065. In total, claims of £120 million in R&D tax relief were made for food and drink manufacturing, with an average claim value of £58,111. The food and drink sector’s spending performance was better than UK industry as a whole. Total R&D spending by UK businesses rose by 8% to £44.1 billion in 2021/22. However, the number of first-time claimants has fallen for the second year running. Sensormatic Solutions collaborates with Disruptive Technologies for its Digital Food Safety solution Sensormatic Solutions, the global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls, has announced a new collaboration with Disruptive Technologies (DT), producer of the world’s smallest smart sensors. The retail technology solutions brand will use the DT temperature sensors for cold storage for enhanced data and insights within its Digital Food Safety solution. As a global leader in creating smart, connected retail solutions, Sensormatic helps retailers enhance food safety and quality while minimizing loss. The brand’s Digital Food Safety solution is the latest advancement to ensure safe food storage and support businesses as they seek to reduce food waste and streamline quality control processes. By providing access to daily documentation and management of on-site records, the solution can be easily accessed remotely for food safety compliance and monitoring. DT’s wireless temperature sensor provides accuracy in extreme conditions and boasts a 15-year battery life. Its data backfill feature means that no data is lost in the case of a power outage. For more information on Sensormatic Solutions’ Digital Food Safety solution, visit sensormatic.com. For more information on DT, visit Disruptive-Technologies.com. © stock.adobe.com/ mtrlin © stock.adobe.com/ PeterFood & Drink International 5 www.fdiforum.net DataLase achieves Grade A RecyClass Certification for plastic bottles using innovative label-free pigment technology DataLase, a world leader in photonic printing, has developed an innovative solution to address the environmental issues surrounding single-use plastic bottles. Their technology allows for the decoration of HDPE plastic bottles without the need for labels, inks, or other filmic material. DataLase’s unique pigment, added during the masterbatch stage of HDPE bottle production, remains invisible until activated by laser. This technology, which has been tested and certified by RecyClass, the first approved certification system for plastic packaging recyclability, received a Grade A rating. Achieving the highest possible level indicates that ‘the packaging does not pose any recyclability issues and the recycled plastics can potentially feed a closed-loop scheme to be used in the same quality application’. Commenting on the achievement, DataLase’s chief technology officer, Ally Grant, said: “We are delighted to be awarded a grade A certification for our technology. DataLase is revolutionising the plastic bottle industry by providing a solution that allows for decoration without compromising the recyclability of the bottles.” Metal detection is an inspection delight for rapid growing food brand HazerBaba, a Turkey- based food and beverage company, has strengthened its commitment to ensuring food safety and quality with its investment in a Loma Systems’ IQ3 Metal Detector Conveyor. HazerBaba required a new inspection solution to support its rapid manufacturing growth. Currently using an older generation Loma metal detector, the company decided to invest in a newer system as their Critical Control Point (CCP), to further improve production volumes and excel in meeting stringent regulatory requirements. To maintain their high standards, LOMA recommended their IQ3 Metal Detector Conveyor, designed to inspect both packaged and loose products, thereby achieving the highest levels of compliance. The metal detector offers excellent detection capabilities for metal contaminants and is rated IP66 for safe cleaning. “We have worked hard to establish an excellent reputation,” said Ms Ayse Saglam, Export Manager at HazerBaba, “and the installation of our new inspection system has enabled us to further protect our expanding business with improved detection. Having worked with LOMA before, once again we are not disappointed.” newsFood processing company fined £20,000 after worker suffers serious injuries A company has been fined £20,000 after an employee’s arm was drawn into machinery and seriously injured. While cleaning poultry processing machinery at Belwood Food’s site at Lowmoor Business Park, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, the worker had been removing debris that was trapped on the hinges of an open access panel door at the base of a hopper machine. The door had been opened to allow the debris to drain from the auger. While removing the debris however, the auger was still in operation and caught the worker’s right arm, drawing it into the machine up to the elbow. This led to skin and muscle being removed from Mr Zielinski’s right arm with his wrist also being crushed. His injuries required surgery. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that the access panel door was able to be opened freely whilst the auger was in motion. There were no controls in place to prevent the panel from being opened while the auger was moving. It was not locked or interlocked, and there was no safe isolation procedure for this weekly cleaning task. New majority shareholder for fruit and vegetable juicing technology firm Zumex Zumex, a fruit and vegetable juicing technology firm, has announced a key partnership with Columna Capital to accelerate its international growth and increase penetration in key markets. Columna will become the first institutional investor and majority shareholder of Zumex and will work alongside the existing founder, Mr Victor Bertolín. Mr Victor Bertolín will remain fully involved in the day-to-day business, ensuring entrepreneurial and management continuity in this new phase of the company’s development. “I am excited to announce the partnership with Columna Capital, which represents the start of a new chapter in Zumex’s history. The company will benefit from Columna’s sound financial support, its strong entrepreneurial approach and proven growth expertise. This strategic alliance will accelerate our expansion plans, strengthen our operational excellence, increase our ability to tackle ambitious projects and seize new growth opportunities worldwide,” said Victor Bertolín. 6 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news IFE and the Fresh Produce Consortium join forces to launch Fresh Produce Section at 2024 event IFE, International Food & Drink Event, has announced a significant partnership with the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) to introduce a brand-new Fresh Produce Section at its 2024 edition on 25-27 March at ExCeL London. With more than 1,500 exhibitors taking part and over 27,000 attendees, IFE is the UK’s most comprehensive event for the food & drink procurement sector. IFE consistently strives to innovate and cater to the evolving needs of the industry, by establishing powerful and effective partnerships with leading industry bodies, and the collaboration with the Fresh Produce Consortium marks a significant milestone in this ongoing commitment to excellence and value for food & drink professionals. Nigel Jenney, Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, comments: “It brings me immense pleasure and pride to announce a groundbreaking collaboration between the Fresh Produce Consortium and IFE, International Food & Drink Event. Fresh produce is a central part of the global food & drink industry, and this partnership recognises the transformative potential that both our organisations hold within the global food industry.” © stock.adobe.com/ xclusive-design Victor Bertolín Food and drink manufacturers remain confident despite mounting challenges Eight in 10 (81%) leaders in the UK food and drink sector feel positive about the prospects of the industry over the coming year, but mounting pressures including the twin threats of higher energy costs and constraints on consumer spending will continue to test businesses’ resilience, accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has warned. BDO’s annual Food & Drink Report, which surveys manufacturers in the sector, reports a high degree of optimism among food and drink manufacturers. Although down slightly on last year (78%), 70% of respondents are feeling positive about the future of their own business in the next 12 months. This is buoyed by the big jump in optimism for the sector overall which has increased from 69% in 2022 to 81%. Over a third (40%) expect an increase in their gross profit margins over the coming year and, as the buoyant mood continues, a further quarter (24%) are planning acquisitive purchases. Almost a third (30%) say new product development will be a key driver for growth across the next 12 months, whilst 29% say expanding in non-European Union (EU) markets is a key focus. Despite the confident outlook, BDO’s survey highlights the myriad of challenges businesses in the sector are facing. Half (50%) of the respondents reported difficulties in recruiting the people they need, with engineering and project management or production- related roles the hardest to fill. Digital transformation remains a key area of investment to boost productivity and gain competitive advantage. The majority of respondents state their executive teams recognised the importance of this, however 60% aired concern that they were falling behind on their digital transformation journeys as firms grapple with unswerving economic headwinds. In addition, 28% say they are taking on higher levels of debt to counteract inflation. The Ukraine conflict continues to affect 65% of businesses in the survey. According to the BDO report, overly complicated import-export rules are cited as reasons for hampering trade. © stock.adobe.com/ ouraPechkin © stock.adobe.com/ zolnierekFood & Drink International 7 www.fdiforum.net Funding secured for new research project to enhance sustainability in food processing Sheffield Hallam University has secured funding to lead a new partnership project to improve energy efficiency and make food processing more sustainable through the development of new technologies. The University’s National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering (NCEFE) has secured £232,000 to lead the project which will trial a new heating system for sauces aiming to reduce carbon impact while enhancing nutrition and taste. Partnering with Premier Foods, the project involves the development and application of innovative Continuous Flow Ohmic Heater (CFOH) technology, which will be tested on a range of the company’s sauces. Ohmic heating passes electrical current through food, heating it up evenly and requiring less energy than current processes. The pilot scale study will address challenges faced by the food industry, such as uneven heating, reduced food quality through over-processing, energy inefficiencies, and negative environmental impacts and could inform future spending on food processing technology. news Fortress Technology acquires Dynamic Inspection Fortress Technology now has four global manufacturing hubs, with the food safety, contamination detection and checkweighing machine specialist acquiring Dynamic Inspection, a manufacturer of in-line metal detectors, x-ray and checkweighing equipment located in New Zealand. Operating out of the UK, Canada and Brazil, this latest acquisition means Fortress can now fully support food processors throughout Oceania and APAC. Founded in 1998, Dynamic Inspection remains the only manufacturer of in-line food grade metal detectors in New Zealand. Specialising in safeguarding dairy and food processing lines, Dynamic Inspection has been affiliated to Fortress since its inception. The two companies share decades of design and application experience. “The transition to Fortress now enables us to recruit more experts and expand our manufacturing hub in New Zealand, as well as our business reach. Exciting new products and services will follow,” said Dynamic co-founders Bob Philpott and Steve Atkins. © stock.adobe.com/ AnnaEntrepreneur acquires 50% ownership of Henstone Distillery Henstone Distillery has secured investment from renowned entrepreneur, Mike Harris, who has acquired 50% ownership of the company in line with the brand’s ambitious growth plans. As part of the new deal, Henstone Distillery will also be moving to a new location, with more details to follow in due course. Having been named the UK’s Distillery of the Year for 2023, Henstone Distillery’s Rosé Gin was awarded ‘Best in Britain’ earlier this year, whilst the brand secured a clean-sweep of awards for their London Dry, Navy, and Rosé gins at this year’s Gin Guide Awards. All products currently produced by Henstone Distillery, including their gin, whisky, vodka, brandy, and rum will continue to be produced and will still be available through existing outlets. Further, all collaborations, including white-label and joint-branded products, will also continue to be produced. 8 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net news VWT UK delivers safety upgrade to KP Snacks site Veolia Water Technologies UK (VWT UK) has supplied carboy bunds and level sensors to a KP Snacks site in Leicestershire, as part of an upgrade to the company’s steam boiler dosing system. The changes have ensured that chemical dosing tanks are no longer manually replenished, removing the need for manual handling and chemical handling reducing the potential of spillages or potential for injury. “We noticed that there were some key areas where we could improve health and safety,” said Mark Taylor, Site Account Manager for VWT UK. “The site maintained small 50 litre dosing tanks to supply the boiler chemistry, which meant that site had to manually top up the tanks.” “This process we were undertaking was not ideal, with the need for full PPE (which we know is at the bottom of the hierarchy of control) and if there was an alternative that would help us to better safeguard our employees then we wanted to make that improvement,” said Neil Garner, Site Services Manager at KP Snacks. “The VWT UK team took on the challenge to find a solution.” The alternative approach was to supply carboy bunds that hold 25kg kegs as well as installing level sensors, which would indicate when the kegs were empty. Rather than having to top up the tank, which involved manual handling the full kegs, the keg would simply move to a ground level operation, which also made it a far easier and safer solution. VWT UK also recommended relocating the new bunds to a more accessible area adding new dosing lines and a cable tray. The new system was implemented, and Neil commented on the results: “It is a subtle change, which has made a huge difference. Using our new chemical replenishment system is far safer and easier and as we only need to swap in a sealed full keg at ground level, it means operatives no longer are required to wear all of the PPE.” To find out more visit: https://www.veoliawatertechnologies.co.uk/ Global seafood industry braces for 14% surge in demand by 2030, opening prospects for seafood substitutes New research by McKinsey & Company reveals a looming seafood shortage amidst a 14 percent surge in global demand by 2030 that could drive major uptake of alternatives to popular seafoods. The report, ‘The next wave: Alternative-seafood solutions,’ notes that 85 percent of fisheries are already at or beyond their limits and restrictions on fish farming, meaning that traditional seafood supplies cannot keep up with demand. McKinsey’s analysis pinpoints five popular species – shrimp, tilapia, tunas, salmonids and lobster – as prime candidates for substitution by alternative seafoods. For example, it notes that tuna is the third biggest seafood market and is 99% wild-caught, due to being the most difficult to farm, making it highly attractive for alternative production. Alternative seafoods also have a lower carbon footprint as they can be produced locally, with the report showing that tuna alone has a carbon footprint at the retail level of 0.8 to 0.9 kilograms of CO? per kilogram. McKinsey identifies cultivated, fermentation- based, and plant-based products as three primary production options that offer promising alternatives to seafoods due to their similarities, high historic investment and market readiness. Jain International Foods secures $55m financing deal Food ingredients supplier, Jain International Foods, trading in the UK as Sleaford Quality Foods, has secured a $55 million cross-border asset-based lending (ABL) and cashflow facility from private debt fund Blazehill Capital, alongside Wells Fargo USA and KBC. Proceeds from the financing will be used to refinance existing indebtedness and provide additional liquidity to support Jain International Food’s working capital, enhance its food innovation capabilities, and drive cost efficiencies. Jain International Foods is a subsidiary of Jain Farm Fresh Foods Limited, a processor of fruits, vegetables and spices. It consists of three entities, Jain Farm Fresh Food Inc, Sleaford Quality Foods Limited, and Innovafood N.V.. With an expected consolidated revenue of approximately $160 million in 2023, Jain International Foods is well-positioned for growth having shown resilient performance through the pandemic. Blazehill Capital and Wells Fargo USA structured a hybrid ABL and cashflow facility which can be drawn in the UK and USA to maximise flexibility. © stock.adobe.com/ singidavar © stock.adobe.com/ GheorghitaFood & Drink International 9 www.fdiforum.net appointments Macphie scoops up ice cream expert A pioneer in the food industry has joined Macphie to help facilitate the company’s next phase of growth. As head of product and innovation, Susie Turan will play a pivotal role in adding fresh-thinking to the firm’s product portfolio. Known for creating freezer favourites like Magnum Double, Solero Berry and Vegan Carte D’Or, Susie has held senior roles at the likes of Unilever, Genius Foods and Finsbury Foods. With over three decades of accomplishments in the food sector, the R&D specialist is now set to head up the product development team. Susie said: “Macphie is an absolute leader in its field for a reason so I’m thrilled to now be playing a part in that. The values of the brand and the opportunities within its product range instantly sang to me. “I’ve always admired Macphie as a company, the products, the values and its strong sustainability goals. I’m really looking forward to working with the team, growing together as a team and hope to add something different to this brilliant food firm.” Marco Tschanz to be appointed new CEO of Bell Food Group Marco Tschanz will take over as the new CEO of the Bell Food Group on 1 June 2024, while also serving as the head of the Bell Switzerland business area. The newly appointed CEO has been with the Bell Food Group for nine years. He joined the company as CFO and a member of the Group Executive Board in 2014. In 2019, he changed roles within the Group Executive Board and took over as the head of the Bell International business area. In 2022, he also concurrently took on the management of the Eisberg business area. Joos Sutter, Chair of the Board of Directors, said: “Marco Tschanz has an impressive track record with the Bell Food Group, both at the operational and strategic levels.” Marco Tschanz said: “The Bell Food Group is a successful company with a strong business model. I’m looking forward to continuing to work on our success story, spanning more than 150 years, with the support of a strong team and more than 13,000 committed and competent employees.” Manish Mandavia named CEO of Lupa Foods Manish Mandavia has been promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer at Lupa Foods. Lupa Foods, with its 120-year history, stands as a respected name in the UK food industry, with a legacy deeply rooted in Italian tradition. Lupa Foods offers a comprehensive range of over 600 food products and ingredients to the food manufacturing market. Manish Mandavia embarked on his journey with Lupa Foods in 2009, when he joined as finance director. With a strong finance background, originally from EY, Manish brought a unique perspective to the team. Over the years, he’s led Lupa Foods through numerous challenges, including the financial crises and the complexities of Brexit. His strategic acumen played a pivotal role in the company’s significant growth, including a recent acquisition that doubled its size. In 2019, Manish assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer. Peter Crystal, on behalf of Lupa Foods’ Board, said: “We are confident that Manish will lead Lupa to fulfil its potential as the leading partner to the food industry for quality ingredients.” Chadwicks welcomes Karen Moran as Quality and Food Safety Manager Chadwicks, a leading pre-cut lidding specialist, is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Moran as Quality and Food Safety Manager. In her role, Karen will be responsible for managing food safety and quality management systems to ensure the highest standards and regulatory requirements are delivered throughout the business. In addition, she will be focusing her attention on the company’s environmental management system as it works towards the internationally recognised ISO 14001 standard. With over 20 years of experience in the food and food packaging industry, Karen has worked with leading UK retailers and is practiced in working to most quality and food safety standards such as BRCG, ISO 9001, FSSC 22000 and AIB. Jonathan Marriott, Chief Operating Officer at Chadwicks, added: “Karen’s technical expertise and in- depth knowledge of policies and standards will be invaluable, and we welcome her onto the team. Karen’s experience will play a crucial role in ensuring that Chadwicks not only maintains its reputation for delivering high-quality products, but also takes significant strides towards environmental awareness and sustainability.” © stock.adobe.com/ NDABCREATIVITY © stock.adobe.com/ VERTEX SPACE © stock.adobe.com/ echdico Diageo strengthens leadership in North America Diageo has appointed Sally Grimes as Chief Executive Officer, North America, and Claudia Schubert as president & Chief Operating Officer, North America. With over 25 years’ experience in the food and beverage sector, Sally is a proven leader in consumer goods and is well-known as a world class innovator and brand builder. She has a passion for developing a winning culture and is a dedicated champion of inclusion and diversity. Sally was most recently the Chief Executive Officer at Clif Bar & Company, the maker of organic energy bars, and was previously group president of the Prepared Foods segment of Tyson Foods. Claudia has over 20 years of total beverage alcohol experiences and brings a proven strategic, performance and operations track record into this role. Over the last few years in North America, she successfully led the US Spirits business through the disruption of Covid delivering significant growth. She has shaped and executed growth strategies in general management, commercial and marketing roles across North America, Europe and the Middle East and has been a Board member of Distill Ventures. © stock.adobe.com/ RenanNext >