Northumberland Foods Ltd saved from closure by rival takeover
The Northumberland Foods Ltd factory in Amble, Morpeth, has been saved from closure after a rival firm stumped up the cash to buy it. A number of new food jobs have been created already, with more new employment opportunities expected to follow.
The firm went into administration in August this year after suffering cash flow problems. This caused production to cease and around 250 food jobs to be axed, to the devastation of local workers.
However, the plant has been saved from closure at the last minute by Longbenton Foods, who have purchased the Amble site - which originally supplied vegetable products to Tesco, Sainsbury's and Iceland - and have restarted the production line.
Around 70 of those who lost their jobs originally have been welcomed back, and the new owners have promised to open up more food jobs as the business starts to grow.
Longbenton Foods is based in Newcastle, where the company currently employs 100 staff working on frozen food production. The managing director of the firm, Vidar Engen, has spoken of his new acquisition:
The firm went into administration in August this year after suffering cash flow problems. This caused production to cease and around 250 food jobs to be axed, to the devastation of local workers.
However, the plant has been saved from closure at the last minute by Longbenton Foods, who have purchased the Amble site - which originally supplied vegetable products to Tesco, Sainsbury's and Iceland - and have restarted the production line.
Around 70 of those who lost their jobs originally have been welcomed back, and the new owners have promised to open up more food jobs as the business starts to grow.
Longbenton Foods is based in Newcastle, where the company currently employs 100 staff working on frozen food production. The managing director of the firm, Vidar Engen, has spoken of his new acquisition:
"We have worked closely with our partners One North East and Northumberland County Council in order to return this site to production and bring jobs back to Amble."
Cereals processing firm creates food jobs after funding boost
The family-run cereals processing firm Silvery Tweed Cereals Ltd is set to benefit from around £1.2 million in funding, which will hopefully help the business boost profits, improve its facilities and create new food jobs.
Silvery Tweed Cereals Ltd has been running for 167 years, and currently supplies cereals and cereal products to big-brand names such as Kelloggs, United Biscuits, Britvic, Heinz and Dorset Cereals. Based in the Tweedside Trading Estate in Berwick, the firm currently employs 70 staff.
However, day-to-day operations at the processing plant are set to change, after Yorkshire Bank and One North East approved approximately £1.2 million worth of funding for Silvery Tweed. Company bosses plan to use the money to:
• Create six new food jobs whilst retaining all 70 existing staff members
• Upgrade their cereal cooking plant
• Build a waste collection facility
• Add new warehouses and grain silos
• Implement a grain intake system
• Increase floor space from 16,000 to 22,000 square foot
Work on these improvements to the Tweedside site has already started, with the aim of boosting company turnover from £17 million to £19.5 million within the next 18 months. Silvery Tweed bosses are also aiming to improve weekly production capacity from 180 tonnes of cereal to 270 tonnes.
Silvery Tweed Cereals Ltd has been running for 167 years, and currently supplies cereals and cereal products to big-brand names such as Kelloggs, United Biscuits, Britvic, Heinz and Dorset Cereals. Based in the Tweedside Trading Estate in Berwick, the firm currently employs 70 staff.
However, day-to-day operations at the processing plant are set to change, after Yorkshire Bank and One North East approved approximately £1.2 million worth of funding for Silvery Tweed. Company bosses plan to use the money to:
• Create six new food jobs whilst retaining all 70 existing staff members
• Upgrade their cereal cooking plant
• Build a waste collection facility
• Add new warehouses and grain silos
• Implement a grain intake system
• Increase floor space from 16,000 to 22,000 square foot
Work on these improvements to the Tweedside site has already started, with the aim of boosting company turnover from £17 million to £19.5 million within the next 18 months. Silvery Tweed bosses are also aiming to improve weekly production capacity from 180 tonnes of cereal to 270 tonnes.
Waitrose to create 300 new food jobs in the Channel Islands
As well as opening a number of new stores throughout the UK, upmarket food retailer Waitrose is reportedly planning to create up to 300 new food jobs in the Channel Islands.
Waitrose - part of the John Lewis Partnership - is hoping to open a total of five new supermarkets in the Channel Islands in the next year or two. The luxury supermarket has reportedly bought the 130,000 square foot of store space from a local firm, Sandpiper CI.
Approximately 200 new food jobs will be created in three supermarkets in Jersey, whilst a further 100 positions are expected to open up at two new Guernsey outlets. These new jobs will be in addition to the 480 Waitrose staff currently employed in the Channel Islands, all of whom the company have pledged to retain.
Head of Personnel at Waitrose, Liz Dolby, spoke of the value the company places on both their new and existing employees, saying:
Waitrose - part of the John Lewis Partnership - is hoping to open a total of five new supermarkets in the Channel Islands in the next year or two. The luxury supermarket has reportedly bought the 130,000 square foot of store space from a local firm, Sandpiper CI.
Approximately 200 new food jobs will be created in three supermarkets in Jersey, whilst a further 100 positions are expected to open up at two new Guernsey outlets. These new jobs will be in addition to the 480 Waitrose staff currently employed in the Channel Islands, all of whom the company have pledged to retain.
Head of Personnel at Waitrose, Liz Dolby, spoke of the value the company places on both their new and existing employees, saying:
"As part of the John Lewis Partnership our staff are known as Partners, they own the business which ensures a high level of commitment and service. They are a very important aspect of our business and have real influence over their own work lives,"
EC bans cloned meat sales but allows imports
The European Commission (EC) has put forward proposals to ban animal cloning in food production and sales for at least five years. However, the import of cloned food products to the EU has been given the green light.
The announcement that animal cloning will be banned for five years has been welcomed by the food industry as a whole, due to concerns over public health and animal welfare if the practice was to become widespread. However, many animal welfare, farming and food job groups have criticised the EC's decision to allow cloned meat products to be imported to Europe.
Peter Stevenson, the chief policy advisor at Compassion in World Farming, has said:
This last sentiment was echoed by David Cotton, the chair of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, who also said that the confusion over which new technologies farmers can and can't use needs to be cleared up.
The announcement that animal cloning will be banned for five years has been welcomed by the food industry as a whole, due to concerns over public health and animal welfare if the practice was to become widespread. However, many animal welfare, farming and food job groups have criticised the EC's decision to allow cloned meat products to be imported to Europe.
Peter Stevenson, the chief policy advisor at Compassion in World Farming, has said:
"We welcome the ban on European cloning and the commission's concern about the welfare implications of cloning,"
"But we are very disappointed that imports of cloned semen, embryos and food products are being allowed. We don't accept that it is impossible to trace the origins of cloned meat products.
This last sentiment was echoed by David Cotton, the chair of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, who also said that the confusion over which new technologies farmers can and can't use needs to be cleared up.
Cumbria sausage firm to close after 183 years in business
In what is bound to be disheartening news for small food businesses up and down the country, iconic sausage firm Richard Woodall in Cumbria has announced that it will be closing its doors for good after 182 years in business.
The managing director of the butchers' firm, Colin Woodall (the eighth generation of his family to manage the business), is retiring due to ill health and he has no successor.
The Waberthwaite business will therefore close on Christmas Eve, 2010, causing a total of 21 food job losses.
A world-famous company, Richard Woodall is the sausage maker for the Queen, supplying the royal household with top-quality sausages, bacon and hams. In addition, the firm supplies a number of major retailers such as Selfridges.
As MD and holder of the royal warrant Colin Woodall is retiring after being diagnosed with leukaemia aged 51, Richard Woodall as an authentic brand will technically be no more. However, the manufacturing rights of the firm will be taken over by Cranswick Country Foods Plc, who will produce goods under the iconic brand name.
Speaking of the difficult decision he had to make in closing one of Cumbria's oldest food businesses, Colin Woodall said:
The managing director of the butchers' firm, Colin Woodall (the eighth generation of his family to manage the business), is retiring due to ill health and he has no successor.
The Waberthwaite business will therefore close on Christmas Eve, 2010, causing a total of 21 food job losses.
A world-famous company, Richard Woodall is the sausage maker for the Queen, supplying the royal household with top-quality sausages, bacon and hams. In addition, the firm supplies a number of major retailers such as Selfridges.
As MD and holder of the royal warrant Colin Woodall is retiring after being diagnosed with leukaemia aged 51, Richard Woodall as an authentic brand will technically be no more. However, the manufacturing rights of the firm will be taken over by Cranswick Country Foods Plc, who will produce goods under the iconic brand name.
Speaking of the difficult decision he had to make in closing one of Cumbria's oldest food businesses, Colin Woodall said:
"It is a very emotive time, a very sad time and the sale is not a decision I have taken lightly.
"I do need to think about my health."
Meat processors rubbish FSA plans to stop operations pending appeal
Key players in the UK meat processing industry have spoken out against the Food Standard Agency's (FSA) plan to stop firms operating whilst waiting for the outcome of non-compliance case appeals.
The FSA says that in order to comply with public health and EU regulations, non-compliant firms should no longer have the right to operate pending appeal decisions. An FSA spokesperson confirmed:
However, this proposed change has angered a number of meat processing chiefs, including the director of policy at the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, Norman Bagley. Mr Bagley believes that the reason for the change is not down to public health concerns or the need to comply with EU regulations, but because of the length of time it takes for cases to reach appeal. He says:
The FSA says that in order to comply with public health and EU regulations, non-compliant firms should no longer have the right to operate pending appeal decisions. An FSA spokesperson confirmed:
"EU legislation does not provide a right for food business operators (that are non-compliant with feed/food law) to continue operating pending the outcome of an appeal."
However, this proposed change has angered a number of meat processing chiefs, including the director of policy at the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, Norman Bagley. Mr Bagley believes that the reason for the change is not down to public health concerns or the need to comply with EU regulations, but because of the length of time it takes for cases to reach appeal. He says:
"That has mostly been due to the FSA's own lawyers arguing that the courts should not take into account any improvements an operator has made since his approval was withdrawn. The courts have now rejected that notion most appeals are never heard, because operators carry out the improvements needed and the FSA restores the approval."
Food industry to create jobs in next few years, despite Spending Review cuts
As the country braces itself for the devastating budget cuts and job losses imposed by coalition government Chancellor George Osborne in the next few years, the food and drink industry seems set to have a more optimistic future.
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has said that in the next seven to ten years, the food manufacturing industry in particular will need to recruit many more skilled workers to cope with demand. In total, it is estimated that at least 137,000 new food jobs will be created.
The number of apprenticeships for food job hopefuls may also increase in the next few years. It has, in fact, doubled to 2,500 over the last year, but FDF doesn't believe that this isn't nearly enough.
Human resources director at FDF, Angela Coleshill, explained the challenges the food manufacturing industry will face over the next decade and just why so many new food job workers are needed. She said:
Meanwhile, the director general of FDF, Melanie Leech, firmly believes that the ever-expanding food and drink industry should be at the heart of the coalition government's strategy for economic recovery in the next few years.
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has said that in the next seven to ten years, the food manufacturing industry in particular will need to recruit many more skilled workers to cope with demand. In total, it is estimated that at least 137,000 new food jobs will be created.
The number of apprenticeships for food job hopefuls may also increase in the next few years. It has, in fact, doubled to 2,500 over the last year, but FDF doesn't believe that this isn't nearly enough.
Human resources director at FDF, Angela Coleshill, explained the challenges the food manufacturing industry will face over the next decade and just why so many new food job workers are needed. She said:
"The sector's population is ageing and, in the next seven to 10 years, around one-fifth will retire,"
"Our big challenge is replicating this knowledge and people."
Meanwhile, the director general of FDF, Melanie Leech, firmly believes that the ever-expanding food and drink industry should be at the heart of the coalition government's strategy for economic recovery in the next few years.
New Cadbury Cocoa Houses to create 3,500 food jobs nationwide
A new chain of Cadbury Cocoa Houses is set to launch in the UK, potentially creating up to 3,500 new food jobs.
The ambitious enterprise is to be launched by Welsh entrepreneur David Morris, who was previously head of operations at drinks corporation Starbucks and head of food, drink and 34 restaurants at retail giants Harrods. His successful career was built on humble beginnings working in his family bakery business in Llandybie in Carmarthenshire.
Along with business partners Tony Goldsmith and Marilyn Newman, Morris is set to embark on his new venture that has been five years in the making- a range of cocoa houses bearing the iconic Cadbury brand and serving a range of hot and cold chocolate drinks, food and other affordable treats from an ever-changing menu.
Morris has insisted that the products used at the Cocoa Houses will all be made from locally sourced produce. He says:
The first Cadbury Cocoa House is set to open next week at the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, with as many as ten others to follow nationwide.
The ambitious enterprise is to be launched by Welsh entrepreneur David Morris, who was previously head of operations at drinks corporation Starbucks and head of food, drink and 34 restaurants at retail giants Harrods. His successful career was built on humble beginnings working in his family bakery business in Llandybie in Carmarthenshire.
Along with business partners Tony Goldsmith and Marilyn Newman, Morris is set to embark on his new venture that has been five years in the making- a range of cocoa houses bearing the iconic Cadbury brand and serving a range of hot and cold chocolate drinks, food and other affordable treats from an ever-changing menu.
Morris has insisted that the products used at the Cocoa Houses will all be made from locally sourced produce. He says:
"Wherever possible we've insisted on using local producers to keep the concept British,"
"You won't find French, Italian or American items on the menu."
The first Cadbury Cocoa House is set to open next week at the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent, with as many as ten others to follow nationwide.
North Wales food centre given the green light
Plans for a new 'centre of excellence' for food in North Wales have officially been given the go-ahead, after the EU provided a much-needed boost of funding.
The £6.4 million project, designed to promote the best that the Welsh food and drink industry has to offer, is also expected to create more than 30 new food jobs when completed.
Construction begins
The site of the new food centre is to be Furnace Farm, close to the world-famous Bodnant Garden in Conwy Valley, and the first stage of construction will involve the environmentally sustainable renovation of a number of 18th century farm structures.
Once completed, the building will boast:
• A restaurant and tea room
• A cookery school, offering short and long courses and demonstrations from guest chefs
• An extensive farm shop, showcasing the very best regional and national produce
• A National Beekeeping Centre for Wales
• A production unit, churning out yoghurt, cheese and ice-cream
• A bakery
Rural Affairs Minister for the Welsh Assembly Government, Elin Jones, said:
The £6.4 million project, designed to promote the best that the Welsh food and drink industry has to offer, is also expected to create more than 30 new food jobs when completed.
Construction begins
The site of the new food centre is to be Furnace Farm, close to the world-famous Bodnant Garden in Conwy Valley, and the first stage of construction will involve the environmentally sustainable renovation of a number of 18th century farm structures.
Once completed, the building will boast:
• A restaurant and tea room
• A cookery school, offering short and long courses and demonstrations from guest chefs
• An extensive farm shop, showcasing the very best regional and national produce
• A National Beekeeping Centre for Wales
• A production unit, churning out yoghurt, cheese and ice-cream
• A bakery
Rural Affairs Minister for the Welsh Assembly Government, Elin Jones, said:
"It is crucial we continue to strengthen links between production, processing and the consumer to provide a more sustainable future for farmers and growers."
Observer Food Monthly Awards 2010 - winners announced
The results are now in for the popular Observer Food Monthly Awards 2010, which is now in its seventh successful year.
This year's winners were chosen by an elite panel of food critics and experts, such as Jay Rayner (The Observer's restaurant critic, awards co-host and erstwhile Masterchef: The Professionals judge), Mariella Frostrup (broadcaster), Tom Parker Bowles (food columnist) and Nigel Slater (noted food writer). The results were also produced with the help of votes from Observer readers.
The lucky winners in each category included:
• Best Restaurant - The Kitchin in Edinburgh
• Best Food Personality - Jamie Oliver
• Best Place to Drink - 69 Colebrook Row in London
• Best Food Blog - Salad Club
• Best Ethical Restaurant - Riverford Field Kitchen
• Best 'Cheap Eat' - Thali Café in Bristol
• Best Independent Local Retailer - Fodder in Great Yorkshire
• Best Sunday Lunch - Hawksmoor in London
• Best Producer - Trealy Farm
• Best Newcomer - Sipsmith in London
• Young Chef of the Year - Stevie Parle
• Outstanding Contribution - Sheila Dillon
• Lifetime Achievement - Prue Leith
Events like the Observer Food Monthly Awards, which celebrate everything about the food industry from production to the plate, are incredibly important in sustaining the food industry and raising its profile as an attractive prospect to bright, young food job hunters.
This year's winners were chosen by an elite panel of food critics and experts, such as Jay Rayner (The Observer's restaurant critic, awards co-host and erstwhile Masterchef: The Professionals judge), Mariella Frostrup (broadcaster), Tom Parker Bowles (food columnist) and Nigel Slater (noted food writer). The results were also produced with the help of votes from Observer readers.
The lucky winners in each category included:
• Best Restaurant - The Kitchin in Edinburgh
• Best Food Personality - Jamie Oliver
• Best Place to Drink - 69 Colebrook Row in London
• Best Food Blog - Salad Club
• Best Ethical Restaurant - Riverford Field Kitchen
• Best 'Cheap Eat' - Thali Café in Bristol
• Best Independent Local Retailer - Fodder in Great Yorkshire
• Best Sunday Lunch - Hawksmoor in London
• Best Producer - Trealy Farm
• Best Newcomer - Sipsmith in London
• Young Chef of the Year - Stevie Parle
• Outstanding Contribution - Sheila Dillon
• Lifetime Achievement - Prue Leith
Events like the Observer Food Monthly Awards, which celebrate everything about the food industry from production to the plate, are incredibly important in sustaining the food industry and raising its profile as an attractive prospect to bright, young food job hunters.
Ocado to create 2,000 new food jobs with Midlands distribution centre
Online grocery company Ocado have this week announced the development of a second distributions centre, a move that will create up to 2,000 new food jobs and allow the company to deliver to 85 per cent of UK homes.
The new distribution centre is to be based near Tamworth in the Midlands, costing around £210 million to build and expected to be open and staffed by the end of 2012. This will require the recruitment of up to 2,000 staff in food jobs by this target date.
Ocado - which currently delivers groceries for luxury supermarket Waitrose - has said that if the demand from customers is there, the depot will be able to boost handling capacity from an initial 120,000 orders a week to 180,000, which is the equivalent of £1 billion in extra sales. This means that Ocado will effectively be able to double the total potential capacity of the business.
As well as increasing capacity, this second distribution depot will also enable Ocado to deliver to 85 per cent of postcodes. Operating just from the company's Hatfield base, Ocado is only able to deliver to 65 per cent at present.
The new distribution centre is to be based near Tamworth in the Midlands, costing around £210 million to build and expected to be open and staffed by the end of 2012. This will require the recruitment of up to 2,000 staff in food jobs by this target date.
Ocado - which currently delivers groceries for luxury supermarket Waitrose - has said that if the demand from customers is there, the depot will be able to boost handling capacity from an initial 120,000 orders a week to 180,000, which is the equivalent of £1 billion in extra sales. This means that Ocado will effectively be able to double the total potential capacity of the business.
As well as increasing capacity, this second distribution depot will also enable Ocado to deliver to 85 per cent of postcodes. Operating just from the company's Hatfield base, Ocado is only able to deliver to 65 per cent at present.
Sainsbury's CEO blames education system for skilled food job worker shortage
Justin King, the chief executive of supermarket chain Sainsbury's, has accused British schools of not producing enough skilled food job workers to meet demand, and of not promoting work within the supermarket sector as a viable career choice to students.
Speaking at the IGD Convention in London this week, Mr King identified certain specialist and technical skills that are lacking within the food industry at present. He blamed the British education system for this skills gap, saying that it encourages too many overseas students to fill up food technology courses and doesn't present the food industry as a promising career option to students.
Pointing out that many careers advisors look down on food jobs, Mr King said:
The food industry currently makes up 14 per cent of all employment in the UK, and it is one of the industries that have consistently created new jobs and opportunities even through the difficult recessionary period.
Speaking at the IGD Convention in London this week, Mr King identified certain specialist and technical skills that are lacking within the food industry at present. He blamed the British education system for this skills gap, saying that it encourages too many overseas students to fill up food technology courses and doesn't present the food industry as a promising career option to students.
Pointing out that many careers advisors look down on food jobs, Mr King said:
"We don't want those fabled stories of careers officers saying 'work hard or you'll end up working on a farm, or in a factory, or - worse still - on a supermarket checkout'. Because we know that actually for many of us that was the start of a fantastic career."
The food industry currently makes up 14 per cent of all employment in the UK, and it is one of the industries that have consistently created new jobs and opportunities even through the difficult recessionary period.
Iceland CEO plots £1 billion takeover of the company
Malcolm Walker, the chief executive of frozen food firm Iceland, has confirmed that he has put in a £1 billion takeover bid for the company. However, it is also anticipated that Walker will face somewhat of a bidding war over the company he founded back in 1970.
After founding the company in Shropshire in 1970, Walker resigned from his post as CEO of Iceland in 2001, with fraud allegations rumoured to be the cause of his departure. He was reinstated in 2005, when retail group Baugur took the company private.
Walker, who owns a quarter of the business alongside other managers, is now reportedly planning a takeover of Iceland. However, he reportedly faces stiff competition from an unknown investment fund, who has trumped his £1 billion bid with its own £1.4 billion offer.
As well as representing a comeback for the Iceland founder, a takeover of the company would be lucrative for Walker. This is because the frozen food chain currently has an approximate 1.8 per cent share of the UK food market, has a total 776 stores (730 Iceland outlets and 46 Cooltrader stores) and thousands of employees in various food jobs.
This year was a particularly successful one for the company, as 74 stores were opened and 2,500 new food jobs created on the back of an 11 per cent rise in annual earnings.
After founding the company in Shropshire in 1970, Walker resigned from his post as CEO of Iceland in 2001, with fraud allegations rumoured to be the cause of his departure. He was reinstated in 2005, when retail group Baugur took the company private.
Walker, who owns a quarter of the business alongside other managers, is now reportedly planning a takeover of Iceland. However, he reportedly faces stiff competition from an unknown investment fund, who has trumped his £1 billion bid with its own £1.4 billion offer.
As well as representing a comeback for the Iceland founder, a takeover of the company would be lucrative for Walker. This is because the frozen food chain currently has an approximate 1.8 per cent share of the UK food market, has a total 776 stores (730 Iceland outlets and 46 Cooltrader stores) and thousands of employees in various food jobs.
This year was a particularly successful one for the company, as 74 stores were opened and 2,500 new food jobs created on the back of an 11 per cent rise in annual earnings.
Tuition fees to rise...
Tuition fees across the UK are set to rise following a report due to be published this week. The two major reforms that are being suggested by the coalition Government are that:
1) There is to be no cap on tuition fees - where Universities now are able to charge a maximum of £3,290 a year, following the expected reforms, Universities can charge anything up to £6,000 or £7,000, will the ability to charge even higher than this.
2) Graduates will not have to pay back their student loans until they earn over £21,000 - the current figure is £15,000. Other suggestions on paying back the loan include a varying interest rate depending on your family income - the more your parents earn, the more interest you will have to pay back and the less your parents earn, the less you have to ay back. However, many fear that once again, it will be the middle-income earners who suffer the most - whilst the poorer don't have to pay back as much and the wealthier who can afford to pay more, pay more.
What effect will this have on the food industry and on graduate food jobs? Well, if the higher fees begin to act as a deterrent to some students moving on to higher education, the food industry may find an even lower number of graduates entering the food industry. We have already noted on a number of occasions the shortage of graduates with food related degrees - nutrition, agronomy, food science, food technology - and a rise in fees as substantial as this could make what is already a problem much worse.
Graduates, What are your thoughts?
Have you got younger family members or friends who may be affected by the rise?
How do you think this could affect the food industry?
1) There is to be no cap on tuition fees - where Universities now are able to charge a maximum of £3,290 a year, following the expected reforms, Universities can charge anything up to £6,000 or £7,000, will the ability to charge even higher than this.
2) Graduates will not have to pay back their student loans until they earn over £21,000 - the current figure is £15,000. Other suggestions on paying back the loan include a varying interest rate depending on your family income - the more your parents earn, the more interest you will have to pay back and the less your parents earn, the less you have to ay back. However, many fear that once again, it will be the middle-income earners who suffer the most - whilst the poorer don't have to pay back as much and the wealthier who can afford to pay more, pay more.
What effect will this have on the food industry and on graduate food jobs? Well, if the higher fees begin to act as a deterrent to some students moving on to higher education, the food industry may find an even lower number of graduates entering the food industry. We have already noted on a number of occasions the shortage of graduates with food related degrees - nutrition, agronomy, food science, food technology - and a rise in fees as substantial as this could make what is already a problem much worse.
Graduates, What are your thoughts?
Have you got younger family members or friends who may be affected by the rise?
How do you think this could affect the food industry?
Wales' biggest milk dairy to open in Wrexham
Tomlinson's Dairies has announced that it is to open a huge new dairy in Wrexham, forming what will be the largest milk factory in Wales.
The company has reportedly outgrown its existing site in Minera, Wrexham, so is moving into a new 70,000-square-foot property being built nearby. The new facility is expected to be built and operational by May or June 2011.
This move will allow Tomlinson's to double its processing capacity, reaching an initial target of 50 million litres per year and a more ambitious, long-term target of 100 million litres-a-year within five years. The company, which is already the largest packer of milk in Wales, is also aiming to increase operational efficiency in order to compete in a tough market.
This increase in capacity and efficiency will require new equipment and undoubtedly, more employees. The family-operated dairy has announced that up to 80 new food jobs will be created in the area within the next five years if all goes to plan.
Further developments
Alongside the move, Tomlinson's Dairies is identifying potential new products and processing opportunities for the future. The company is planning to move into:
• Yoghurt
• The 'eco-pouch' market (essentially, milk packaged and sold to hospitality industries in biodegradable, eco-friendly bags)
The company has reportedly outgrown its existing site in Minera, Wrexham, so is moving into a new 70,000-square-foot property being built nearby. The new facility is expected to be built and operational by May or June 2011.
This move will allow Tomlinson's to double its processing capacity, reaching an initial target of 50 million litres per year and a more ambitious, long-term target of 100 million litres-a-year within five years. The company, which is already the largest packer of milk in Wales, is also aiming to increase operational efficiency in order to compete in a tough market.
This increase in capacity and efficiency will require new equipment and undoubtedly, more employees. The family-operated dairy has announced that up to 80 new food jobs will be created in the area within the next five years if all goes to plan.
Further developments
Alongside the move, Tomlinson's Dairies is identifying potential new products and processing opportunities for the future. The company is planning to move into:
• Yoghurt
• The 'eco-pouch' market (essentially, milk packaged and sold to hospitality industries in biodegradable, eco-friendly bags)
Tesco's new North London delivery depot could create 550 food jobs
In what has been an exciting few months for food job hunters as the UK's leading supermarkets battle it out with increasingly ambitious expansion plans, market leader Tesco has announced that it is to create up to 550 new food jobs in Brimsdown, North London.
Tesco has announced the news that a planning application for a new distribution centre on Mollison Avenue in Brimsdown has been submitted to Enfield Council. It is believed that Tesco chose the site due to its excellent transport links, good quality local workers and convenient location.
If the plans are given the green light, the new centre could create a total of 550 new jobs for the area. As well as serving Tesco's various Express convenience stores in the surrounding areas, the new distribution centre will process online grocery and household shopping orders.
Commenting on the company's plans, Tesco's corporate affairs manager Jonathan Simpson said:
Tesco has announced the news that a planning application for a new distribution centre on Mollison Avenue in Brimsdown has been submitted to Enfield Council. It is believed that Tesco chose the site due to its excellent transport links, good quality local workers and convenient location.
If the plans are given the green light, the new centre could create a total of 550 new jobs for the area. As well as serving Tesco's various Express convenience stores in the surrounding areas, the new distribution centre will process online grocery and household shopping orders.
Commenting on the company's plans, Tesco's corporate affairs manager Jonathan Simpson said:
"We think the new distribution centre will give a real lift to the area and bring the Mollison Avenue site back into use after being empty for some time. It will create about 550 job opportunities for local people.
"We're delighted to bring investment to the Enfield area and hope the distribution centre will open in October 2011."
M&S to create food jobs with new Simply Food supermarket in Leicestershire
Marks & Spencer (M&S) is reportedly planning to create up to 50 new food jobs in Leicestershire with the opening of a new Simply Food supermarket in a popular shopping complex in Thurmaston.
The news of the M&S store opening in Thurmaston Shopping Centre - located on Barkby Thorpe Lane - is good news for grocery shoppers and food job hunters in Leicestershire, especially after Marks & Spencer was forced to close Simply Food stores in Melton and Market Harborough due to poor performance and lack of demand.
As to the future of the new Thurmaston outlet, M&S is more optimistic. The company is expecting the 11,500 sq ft store to flourish in the already-popular shopping centre. In addition to groceries, the new supermarket will also offer clothes, cards, flowers and home accessories, as well as having a 50-seat café on the premises.
Daniel Ward, the new store manager, said:
The news of the M&S store opening in Thurmaston Shopping Centre - located on Barkby Thorpe Lane - is good news for grocery shoppers and food job hunters in Leicestershire, especially after Marks & Spencer was forced to close Simply Food stores in Melton and Market Harborough due to poor performance and lack of demand.
As to the future of the new Thurmaston outlet, M&S is more optimistic. The company is expecting the 11,500 sq ft store to flourish in the already-popular shopping centre. In addition to groceries, the new supermarket will also offer clothes, cards, flowers and home accessories, as well as having a 50-seat café on the premises.
Daniel Ward, the new store manager, said:
"It's great to be opening a new store in Thurmaston, providing our customers with the very best of M&S food and drink in a convenient location.
"We are looking forward to welcoming customers into our fantastic store and have an excellent team in place to ensure that shoppers experience the very best service."
Sainsbury's sales boost results in 2,500 new food jobs, more seasonal jobs to come
After reporting impressive sales growth far ahead of its rival supermarkets, Sainsbury's is on course to beat profit forecasts for the next twelve months and create hundreds if not thousands of new food jobs.
Sainsbury's posted a 2.1 per cent sales increase for the last 16 weeks, which dwarfs main rival Tesco's 0.4 per cent reported rise. This impressive performance has been attributed to the company's drive to increase floor space, resulting in seven new superstores and 12 convenience outlets being opened up and as many as 2,500 new food jobs being created.
The results for the last quarter also showed that online grocery sales were up 25 per cent and that non-food sales increased up to three times as much as food sales (chiefly thanks to Sainsbury's Tu clothing range).
On the back of this success, Sainsbury's has launched a number of new initiatives. As well as the re-launch of the supermarket's premium 'Taste the Difference' range, the company has also introduced around 200 new or revamped Christmas lines.
To cope with the increased customer demand over the festive period, Sainsbury's has also announced that they will be creating up to 14,100 seasonal food jobs. This is just a small part of the bigger picture for Sainsbury's HR teams, as ambitious expansion plans mean that around 3,500 people will need to be recruited by spring 2011.
Sainsbury's posted a 2.1 per cent sales increase for the last 16 weeks, which dwarfs main rival Tesco's 0.4 per cent reported rise. This impressive performance has been attributed to the company's drive to increase floor space, resulting in seven new superstores and 12 convenience outlets being opened up and as many as 2,500 new food jobs being created.
The results for the last quarter also showed that online grocery sales were up 25 per cent and that non-food sales increased up to three times as much as food sales (chiefly thanks to Sainsbury's Tu clothing range).
On the back of this success, Sainsbury's has launched a number of new initiatives. As well as the re-launch of the supermarket's premium 'Taste the Difference' range, the company has also introduced around 200 new or revamped Christmas lines.
To cope with the increased customer demand over the festive period, Sainsbury's has also announced that they will be creating up to 14,100 seasonal food jobs. This is just a small part of the bigger picture for Sainsbury's HR teams, as ambitious expansion plans mean that around 3,500 people will need to be recruited by spring 2011.
Food Technology magazine identifies 'mega-trends' in new product development
Food Technology magazine, the official publication for the Chicago-based Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), has released a list of the six 'mega-trends expected to influence food product development.
The list, published in the September edition of Food Technology, was compiled by the IFT with the help of a number of market research companies including HealthFocus International, Frost & Sullivan, Mintel and The Nielson Company.
Trends
Food job professionals take note; the following six trends could have a serious impact on food product development and market demand in the next few years.
1. Lower salt. Health concerns (i.e. high blood pressure) have fuelled the demand for low-sodium products, especially those targeted at children.
2. Weight management. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 1.3 billion people throughout the world are overweight or clinically obese. Market research has found that 64 per cent of American consumers are demanding foods which help them maintain a healthy weight, whilst over half of those asked want metabolism-boosting products.
3. Preservative, additive, lactose and gluten free foods, as well as the banishment of MSG and high-sugar corn syrup in food and drink products.
4. Niche flavours - such as umami (the 'fifth taste'), spice-infused ice cream and chewing gum and flower flavours, for example - entering the mainstream market.
5. Functional foods 'naturally rich in...' or containing 'natural goodness' that offer health benefits such as lowering cholesterol.
6. Organic products encompassing minimal ingredients.
The list, published in the September edition of Food Technology, was compiled by the IFT with the help of a number of market research companies including HealthFocus International, Frost & Sullivan, Mintel and The Nielson Company.
Trends
Food job professionals take note; the following six trends could have a serious impact on food product development and market demand in the next few years.
1. Lower salt. Health concerns (i.e. high blood pressure) have fuelled the demand for low-sodium products, especially those targeted at children.
2. Weight management. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), around 1.3 billion people throughout the world are overweight or clinically obese. Market research has found that 64 per cent of American consumers are demanding foods which help them maintain a healthy weight, whilst over half of those asked want metabolism-boosting products.
3. Preservative, additive, lactose and gluten free foods, as well as the banishment of MSG and high-sugar corn syrup in food and drink products.
4. Niche flavours - such as umami (the 'fifth taste'), spice-infused ice cream and chewing gum and flower flavours, for example - entering the mainstream market.
5. Functional foods 'naturally rich in...' or containing 'natural goodness' that offer health benefits such as lowering cholesterol.
6. Organic products encompassing minimal ingredients.
New food labelling system launched by Caroline Spelman
Caroline Spelman, Environment Secretary and MP for Meridan, announced the launch of a new food labelling system in the UK at the Conservative Party Conference this week.
In her keynote speech at the Birmingham conference, Spelman unveiled the government's plans to promote British food standards via a new labelling system for food which will tell consumers exactly where products have come from.
During her speech - in which she also advocated the government's use of 'green' technology -Spelman said:
"We're working on new measures to help government departments buy food to British standards
.
"And we're working with industry on honest labelling so buyers can feel confident about where their food is coming from.
"And people do care where food comes from because they want to know that it's grown without damage to the environment."
The details of the new food labelling system are yet to be revealed, but the changes to existing policy, once implemented, will affect all those in leading food jobs at every stage of the production and packaging process. This will include everyone from farmers, food manufacturers and processors to supermarkets, local food and drink shops and most importantly, consumers.
In her keynote speech at the Birmingham conference, Spelman unveiled the government's plans to promote British food standards via a new labelling system for food which will tell consumers exactly where products have come from.
During her speech - in which she also advocated the government's use of 'green' technology -Spelman said:
"We're working on new measures to help government departments buy food to British standards
.
"And we're working with industry on honest labelling so buyers can feel confident about where their food is coming from.
"And people do care where food comes from because they want to know that it's grown without damage to the environment."
The details of the new food labelling system are yet to be revealed, but the changes to existing policy, once implemented, will affect all those in leading food jobs at every stage of the production and packaging process. This will include everyone from farmers, food manufacturers and processors to supermarkets, local food and drink shops and most importantly, consumers.
Catering firm in South Lakes to benefit from food jobs boost
A catering firm from Newby Bridge, South Lakes, has announced that it will be expanding the business and creating new food jobs for the area.
This is great news for small businesses within the UK food industry, as the announcement comes in the same week as businesses in Manchester and North Yorkshire have unveiled ambitious new expansion plans after securing investments.
The Newby Bridge company, Bridge Catering, has experienced such impressive growth in the last few years that bosses are planning to move the company to Crakeside Business Park in Greenodd. Since the company was established by Mike Hales in 2004, it has evolved into a hugely successful catering group encompassing:
• Bridge Catering
• The Bridge Deli and Lifestyle Emporium
• Bridge Express
• The Bridge Café
Bridge Catering is now able to complete its £80,000 expansion with the help of an £11,000 Furness Enterprise grant for marketing and staff, enabling the premises move to go ahead. The company also expects to create four full-time food jobs and a number of part-time roles.
Explaining why Bridge Catering deserved the grant, the funding manager for Furness Enterprise, Val Robinson, said:
This is great news for small businesses within the UK food industry, as the announcement comes in the same week as businesses in Manchester and North Yorkshire have unveiled ambitious new expansion plans after securing investments.
The Newby Bridge company, Bridge Catering, has experienced such impressive growth in the last few years that bosses are planning to move the company to Crakeside Business Park in Greenodd. Since the company was established by Mike Hales in 2004, it has evolved into a hugely successful catering group encompassing:
• Bridge Catering
• The Bridge Deli and Lifestyle Emporium
• Bridge Express
• The Bridge Café
Bridge Catering is now able to complete its £80,000 expansion with the help of an £11,000 Furness Enterprise grant for marketing and staff, enabling the premises move to go ahead. The company also expects to create four full-time food jobs and a number of part-time roles.
Explaining why Bridge Catering deserved the grant, the funding manager for Furness Enterprise, Val Robinson, said:
"Not only is it a local business expanding locally, but they are creating local jobs which is difficult in these times.
"They are bringing in clients from across the country. It's brilliant."
Report tips 40 per cent growth for NI food industry
Northern Ireland's food industry could experience a growth of 40 per cent over the next decade, according to a report commissioned by the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA).
The research - conducted by management consultancy firm Goldblatt McGuigan - predicts that over the next ten years, the food and drink industry in Northern Ireland could be bringing in annual revenue of up to £4.5 billion a year.
Food jobs
The report predicts good news for food industry professionals and hopefuls in Northern Ireland too, as up to 15,000 new food jobs are expected to be created over the course of the decade. This would bring the total number of people employed in food jobs throughout the country by the year 2020 to a whopping 107,000.
Goldblatt McGuigan based these optimistic predictions on current figures, which showed that Northern Ireland's food and drink industry showed growth of 3.3 per cent last year despite the devastating after-effects of the recession.
Speaking for the NIFDA, chairman Tony O'Neill commented on the findings, concluding that:
The research - conducted by management consultancy firm Goldblatt McGuigan - predicts that over the next ten years, the food and drink industry in Northern Ireland could be bringing in annual revenue of up to £4.5 billion a year.
Food jobs
The report predicts good news for food industry professionals and hopefuls in Northern Ireland too, as up to 15,000 new food jobs are expected to be created over the course of the decade. This would bring the total number of people employed in food jobs throughout the country by the year 2020 to a whopping 107,000.
Goldblatt McGuigan based these optimistic predictions on current figures, which showed that Northern Ireland's food and drink industry showed growth of 3.3 per cent last year despite the devastating after-effects of the recession.
Speaking for the NIFDA, chairman Tony O'Neill commented on the findings, concluding that:
"Government must put support for the food and drink industry at the heart of its economic development strategy."
North Yorkshire food firm steps up production after new investment
A food firm in Tockwith, North Yorkshire, has big plans for the future after securing a £350,000 investment from Yorkshire Bank as part of the region's Investing for Growth initiative.
Country Products is a food processing and distribution company specialising in sourcing whole foods from all over the world and overseeing the processing, packing and distribution of goods to independent retailers in the UK and Ireland. The company even distributes to health food shops, visitor centres, cinemas and theatres in Sweden and Denmark as well as at home in the UK.
The company has made considerable improvements to its foods processing business in the three years since receiving the £350,000. The company created three new food jobs, opened a third production line and even moved into a new, 10,000-square-foot premises.
Now based in Tockwith's Centre Park, Country Products is implementing the firm's latest development - a fourth production line. In order to meet increased demand, thanks to the rapid growth of the business, the firm has invested £100,000 in a new, automated production line designed to weigh and pack healthy snack food bags such as dried mango and yoghurt-coated raisins.
Country Products hopes that this new production line and equipment - purchased thanks to the Investing for Growth scheme - will help the company reach even higher turnover goals in 2010/11.
Country Products is a food processing and distribution company specialising in sourcing whole foods from all over the world and overseeing the processing, packing and distribution of goods to independent retailers in the UK and Ireland. The company even distributes to health food shops, visitor centres, cinemas and theatres in Sweden and Denmark as well as at home in the UK.
The company has made considerable improvements to its foods processing business in the three years since receiving the £350,000. The company created three new food jobs, opened a third production line and even moved into a new, 10,000-square-foot premises.
Now based in Tockwith's Centre Park, Country Products is implementing the firm's latest development - a fourth production line. In order to meet increased demand, thanks to the rapid growth of the business, the firm has invested £100,000 in a new, automated production line designed to weigh and pack healthy snack food bags such as dried mango and yoghurt-coated raisins.
Country Products hopes that this new production line and equipment - purchased thanks to the Investing for Growth scheme - will help the company reach even higher turnover goals in 2010/11.
Starbucks offers food job workers NVQ training in food hygiene and customer service
Following in the footsteps of fellow food and drink industry corporation McDonalds, the American coffee house Starbucks is to offer food job workers the chance to train for NVQ qualifications.
Starting next summer, Starbucks will be offering supervisors the opportunity to enrol on in-house NVQ courses in food hygiene and customer service to gain a nationally recognised qualification. Junior employees at the multi-national company will be offered the same opportunity a year later in 2012.
Starbucks - which currently employs around 9,000 people on food jobs throughout the UK - is spending millions of pounds on these new training schemes, in order to improve customer experience and provide employees with a chance to develop their careers and skills.
The Managing Director at Starbucks UK & Ireland, Darcy Willson-Rymer, said:
Another beneficial part of the new plans for staff is the extra cash employees will be given to spend on developing hobbies and skills outside of the workplace, such as learning to speak a new language.
Starting next summer, Starbucks will be offering supervisors the opportunity to enrol on in-house NVQ courses in food hygiene and customer service to gain a nationally recognised qualification. Junior employees at the multi-national company will be offered the same opportunity a year later in 2012.
Starbucks - which currently employs around 9,000 people on food jobs throughout the UK - is spending millions of pounds on these new training schemes, in order to improve customer experience and provide employees with a chance to develop their careers and skills.
The Managing Director at Starbucks UK & Ireland, Darcy Willson-Rymer, said:
"The stores that are the best run have the best teams. Investing in [our] people will make for a better customer experience and makes good business sense. We're trying to build a company that balances corporate social responsibility with profitability."
Another beneficial part of the new plans for staff is the extra cash employees will be given to spend on developing hobbies and skills outside of the workplace, such as learning to speak a new language.
Manchester food manufacturer plans huge £3m expansion
A food manufacturer in Manchester has announced plans for a £3 million expansion to the business, which will also involve the creation of a number of new food jobs.
Richard Whittaker is a family-owned food manufacturing company based at the Transpennine Trading Estate in Rochdale, specialising in the supply of sugar, rice and other ingredients to supermarkets and retailers.
The company currently has a staff of 65, and a turnover of £5.5 million a year. However, managing director Alan Rigby plans to nearly double both of these figures in the next few years thanks to a £3.6 million fund the company has secured from Barclays Bank.
Six new food jobs will be created immediately, and 23 more roles will become available in the next three years as the company moves into a new, twice-as-large premises in Mayfield Street in Mayfield (the site of the former Anglian Widows headquarters).
MD Alan Rigby has commented on the plans, saying:
Richard Whittaker is a family-owned food manufacturing company based at the Transpennine Trading Estate in Rochdale, specialising in the supply of sugar, rice and other ingredients to supermarkets and retailers.
The company currently has a staff of 65, and a turnover of £5.5 million a year. However, managing director Alan Rigby plans to nearly double both of these figures in the next few years thanks to a £3.6 million fund the company has secured from Barclays Bank.
Six new food jobs will be created immediately, and 23 more roles will become available in the next three years as the company moves into a new, twice-as-large premises in Mayfield Street in Mayfield (the site of the former Anglian Widows headquarters).
MD Alan Rigby has commented on the plans, saying:
"We have long prided ourselves on our ability to offer customers a top quality product and high level of service.
"The move to new premises will be phased over the next few months and will enable us to meet our growth aspirations while maintaining the highest level of service for our customers."
Hilary Benn warns of dangers of cutting agriculture budgets at 2010 Labour Conference
Speaking at the 2010 Labour Party Conference in Manchester, the shadow environment minister Hilary Benn warned the coalition government that cutting agricultural budgets could be costly and harmful to future food security in the long run. He also said that a focus on farming should be "at the forefront of the political agenda" during impending budget cuts.
Mr Benn - who was the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (DEFRA) minister for three years under the former Labour government - spoke to farming and food job professionals at a National Farmers Union (NFU) fringe event at the Labour conference. He said:
Mr Benn's comments were welcomed by the NFU president Peter Kendall, who thanked the shadow environment minister for his refreshing change in language and marked his speech as a "massive move forward" for the industry.
Mr Benn - who was the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs (DEFRA) minister for three years under the former Labour government - spoke to farming and food job professionals at a National Farmers Union (NFU) fringe event at the Labour conference. He said:
"Farming is a hugely important industry.
"It's our biggest manufacturing industry, it's hugely important to the future of our work and the environmental work farmers do plays a key role in that.
"It is concerning environmental schemes could be hit.
"I want British farming to continue to be successful and the Labour party is committed to working with the NFU and the industry to achieve that."
Mr Benn's comments were welcomed by the NFU president Peter Kendall, who thanked the shadow environment minister for his refreshing change in language and marked his speech as a "massive move forward" for the industry.
