Frozen food distributor Central Foods gains key industry accreditation

Alison and Gordon Lauder of Central Foods

Frozen food distributor Central Foods has been awarded the BRC Standard for Agents and Brokers. 

The Northamptonshire-based company, which supplies a wide range of frozen food to wholesalers and caterers across the UK and for export, worked closely with its suppliers to achieve the accreditation.

BRC Global Standards is a leading safety and quality certification programme, used by more than 23,000 certificated suppliers in 123 countries. The Standard for Agents and Brokers gives essential certification for companies that provide purchase, importation or product distribution services in the food and packaging supply chain.

Central Foods managing director Gordon Lauder said: “This Global Standard is designed to reflect best practice on product safety, quality and operations, and it is great news that it has been awarded to Central Foods. It’s a ringing endorsement of the standards provided by the company and clients. 

“In essence, it reinforces confidence in the quality and safety of the food supplied by the company to our many customers throughout the UK and for export. As a frozen food distributor, we place great emphasis on quality and provenance.”

Central Foods, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, it sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

Central Foods has been regularly named in the annual Grant Thornton Northamptonshire Ltd report which highlights the growth of the top 100 privately owned businesses in Northamptonshire, and was ranked as one of the 200 fastest growing companies in the East Midlands in the 2015 Grant Thornton and CBI report, the most recent available, which highlighted growing organisations. 

The company is marking its 21^st anniversary in 2017.

Press release issued by Nottingham based Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Laundry and workwear specialist Giltbrook Workwear Rental wins food firm contract

Derbyshire-based Giltbrook Workwear Rental has won its largest contract in the food and drink sector after being appointed by cooked meat products manufacturer Loscoe Chilled Foods Ltd. 

The Ilkeston-based laundry and workwear specialist has been awarded a 36-month contract to supply and launder food trade white coats, boilersuits and other items for the company, which employs 230 staff at its Loscoe premises.

The contract involves dealing with 1,850 garments in circulation at any one time and the laundering of 300 items per day to ensure that Loscoe staff have clean garments at the start of every shift.

Giltbrook Workwear Rental, part of Giltbrook Cleaners, specialises in providing the highly regulated food grade cleaning, laundry and hygiene services that are demanded by the food and drink industry to comply with strict safety and hygiene legislation.

Two years ago the firm introduced an innovative system on its website to allow customers to log in and track garments in real time at any point of the day. All workwear supplied by the company is barcode labelled and holds a radio frequency identification chip which allows speedy tracking of workwear through the laundry plant from booking in to dispatch.

Both systems were supported by the Food and Drink iNet, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and Giltbrook CEO Chris Jackson believes these innovations have helped the firm to win a number of new contracts, including the Loscoe Chilled Foods Ltd appointment.

“We have invested in the latest technology which means that at a moment’s notice, clients can check what stage any garment is at and gather all the necessary information,” said Chris Jackson.

“The information is there, 24 hours a day. It represents a leap forward for us in terms of customer service, and is very beneficial to firms working in the food and drink industry, which need to have evidence of efficient cleaning and hygiene standards to comply with stringent laws governing their operation.

“We are very pleased to have secured the contract to supply and service workwear for Loscoe Chilled Foods. Like us, they are a business committed to their local area and we are proud that we are playing a part in keeping their operation running smoothly by maintaining the cleaning of the staff uniforms, on a quick turnaround, with flexible approach to react quickly to their changing needs in the food production process.” 

The uniforms are serviced at Giltbrook Cleaners’ unit at Mercian Close, Manners Industrial Estate, Ilkeston, which has a rainwater harvesting, water recycling and reusing system, a high-efficiency hot water generation boiler, and the latest garment conveyor systems and monitoring through barcode and high- frequency micro chip technology.

The unit also has specialist hygiene management systems. Giltbrook Cleaners is a family-run business, which has been operating for more than 65 years and employs 41 people. Its clients include companies working in a range of sectors such as food and drink, engineering, hospitality, pharmaceutical and transport.

The contract with Loscoe Chilled Foods Ltd is worth more than £30,000 a year to the company, which recently gained supplier approval status from the 3M Health Care division. It involves selecting appropriate uniforms for food environments, adding a corporate logo and introducing a laundry management programme which includes daily collection of used workwear from Loscoe’s two sites and delivery of clean uniforms, which in the case of high care items are sealed in polythene, to eight locker locations.

Regular microbiological swabbing of garments and allergen management systems are carried out by Giltbrook to test that hygiene security is being maintained and the results are uploaded to the web portal at www.giltbrookworkwear.co.uk

Loscoe Chilled Foods technical manager Mark Curry said: “We've been delighted with Giltbrook Cleaners and the seamless way they have taken on the contract and worked with our staff. The quality of the garments, cleanliness and the aftercare service has made a big difference to our staff and feedback has been excellent. We are a lot more confident going forward with the BRC audits knowing we have online access to our workwear management information at a click of a button.”

Giltbrook Cleaners, which is a leading supplier in workwear rental and cleaning, mat provision and cleaning, locker and washroom services across the East Midlands and beyond, is committed to supporting standards in the food industry and later this month hosts an event run by industry organisation The Food and Drink Forum.

BRC One Year On takes place on September 26th from 7.45am to 10am and will hear from companies that already have the BRC standard in place. It is aimed at firms considering implementing BRC or those who would like to understand more about it.

It will be chaired by Food and Drink Forum senior technical manager Richard Wigley.

www.giltbrookworkwear.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Food and Drink Forum turns the spotlight on BRC accreditation

East Midlands food manufacturers are being urged to attend a free event focusing on accreditation in the wake of news that one of the major supermarkets will be carrying out unannounced audits on the producers of their brand food products.

Trade organisation The Food and Drink Forum annually stages an event which turns the spotlight on the BRC (British Retail Consortium) standards.

These accreditations are a benchmark in quality standards and are required by many retailers before they will stock a manufacturer’s products.

Last year The Forum staged a BRC Unravelled event to give East Midlands food and drink manufacturers more information about the standard and the developments which occurred with the introduction of issue 6.

This year it is running a free follow-up event on September 26th from 7.45am to 10am in conjunction with Giltbrook Workwear at Giltbrook Workwear’s premises in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. It will focus on activity surrounding the certification since the introduction of changes (issue six) last year.

“This event is especially pertinent, since ASDA announced in June that from October 1st 2013, all manufacturers of ASDA brand food products must have their BRC audits undertaken as ‘unannounced option 1’ which means that manufacturers need to be ready at any time for an audit,” said Food and Drink Forum senior technical manager Richard Wigley.

“I would strongly advise East Midlands food manufacturers to attend our free event on September 26th to find out more about BRC and other food standards such as SALSA.”

The event will provide an insight into BRC and other food standards, information on cost-saving skills and tools, expert advice from The Food and Drink Forum senior technical manager, the chance to understand how organisations like Giltbrook Workwear, Surepak Ltd and The Sherwood Press Group can help with equipment and services to maintain BRC standards.

If you have BRC or are looking to achieve it, having a supply chain of BRC certified companies provides traceability and easier management of your BRC certification.

This event also provides the opportunity to tour Giltbrook’s premises, a high quality work wear facility.

It is aimed at food and drink manufacturers in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland who are considering implementing BRC, SALSA or another food standard, who have BRC and would like to discuss any issues, or who would like more information about accreditation.

Places are free for food and drink producers and manufacturers and can be booked by emailing enquiries@foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

The Food and Drink Forum was launched in 1998, and operates across the East Midlands as a business support organisation for the food and drink sector. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham.

For more information visit www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Food industry accreditation under the spotlight at Food and Drink Forum event

Business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum is teaming up with Giltbrook Workwear to run a session aimed at helping East Midlands food and drink companies get to grips with changes to one of the key food standard accreditations.

Entitled BRC Unravelled, the free event will turn the spotlight on the British Retail Consortium (BRC) accreditation, which has recently been upgraded.

It is being held at the premises of Food and Drink Forum member Giltbrook Workwear at Mercian Close, Manners Industrial Estate, Ilkeston, in Derbyshire on Wednesday September 12th between 8am and 10am.

“Many retailers and food service operators demand accreditations from their suppliers so it makes excellent business sense for manufacturers to invest in gaining the standards,” said Richard Wigley, The Food and Drink Forum’s technical manager.

“This event will look at the recent changes to BRC, how to achieve and maintain BRC the smart way, and will illustrate how BRC can help companies to save money.”

The breakfast meeting, which is open to members and non-members of The Food and Drink Forum, will also look at SALSA – the Safe and Local Supplier Approval certification scheme aimed at micro-sized producers.

As part of the session, delegates will hear about companies who have successfully achieved BRC and other accreditations, and how it has benefited their business.

For more information or to book contact Niall O’Hagan on 0115 9758810 or email Niall.Ohagan@foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

The Food and Drink Forum, which is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, has members across the region, including manufacturers, food service operators, and consultants and businesses providing services to the food and drink sector.

It was founded in 1998 as a not-for-profit, membership-led organisation to stimulate and support the sustainable growth and development of the food and drink industry in the East Midlands.

Its aims include championing the food and drink sector in the East Midlands, developing strategic influencing partnerships within and outside the East Midlands, and acting as a centre for information and knowledge on all subjects relating to the food and drink sector in the region.

It also aims to stimulate and facilitate sustainable change within companies of all sizes across the food chain, generate income and secure resources to meet the needs of a high-quality service, and promote the food and drink sector to future employees through education and the raising of skills.

www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Derbyshire firm gains contracts after achieving British Retail Consortium accreditation with help from The Food & Drink Forum

A Derbyshire fruit and vegetable supplier and distributor has demonstrated the benefit to businesses of gaining top industry-recognised accreditation by expanding after winning a hat-trick of new contracts.

East Midlands business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum helped John Palin Ltd to gain the British Retail Consortium accreditation.

Now the firm has won three new contracts to supply fruit and vegetables to hundreds of schools in Derbyshire, Derby, and Staffordshire, as well as to the Chatsworth Estate.

It means John Palin Ltd can take on four new staff and invest in four extra vehicles, and illustrates one way that firms can help themselves to expand and flourish in difficult economic times by taking expert, sector-specific advice.

“The value of gaining BRC accreditation to industry-recognised standards can be immense for a business, and I’m delighted to hear that the work The Food and Drink Forum carried out with John Palin Ltd towards accreditation has helped the company to gain new contracts and expand,” said Food and Drink Forum technical manager Richard Wigley.

“Increasingly, large organisations will only do business with firms that have accreditations, so it makes good sense to put the correct systems in place to gain them, just as John Palin has done.

“Their experience illustrates how the Food and Drink Forum can help businesses in the sector to move into new markets, gain new customers, win additional business, and develop, even during challenging economic times.”

John Palin finance manager Ann Newton, who is one of the owners of the company along with her husband David, and Neil and Karina Norman, said: “BRC accreditation was something that we needed to do. All our competitors had BRC accreditation so we knew it was the way forward. Richard Wigley’s knowledge and expertise was invaluable. We are so pleased that we have won new contracts on the back of gaining BRC and that we have been able to take on new staff.”

The firm, based at Tansley near Matlock, has been supplying fruit and vegetables in Derbyshire and beyond for more than 150 years. It supplies to semi-wholesalers, shops, caterers, pubs and restaurants, sandwich manufacturers, prisons and schools within a 150-mile radius, going into counties such as Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire and Cheshire.

David and Neil had worked for Palins for more than 25 years before a management buy-out in 2004.

The company won the Chatsworth contract last year, to supply the estate and the farm shop. Earlier this year the firm won a contract to supply fresh fruit and vegetables, prepared vegetables and eggs to around 90 Staffordshire schools in the Tamworth and Burton-on-Trent areas.

Now John Palin has learnt that it has been successful in tendering to supply to 235 schools and social care units in Derbyshire and about 100 in Derby city. The firm previously supplied some Derbyshire schools but the new contract marks a significant increase in numbers.

The contracts for the schools and social care units alone will represent approximately £600,000 increase in turnover a year for the company.

“We are delighted to have won three major contracts since achieving our BRC in 2009. It has really opened doors for us, and we are very grateful for the support and expertise provided by The Food and Drink Forum. It’s been invaluable,” said Ann.

The firm has also won a place on the NHS Framework, which means it can bid for NHS contracts in the future.

John Palin employs more than 45 people at its Brookfield Industrial Estate headquarters. The firm achieved BRC certification in food storage and distribution to the highest level after receiving a range of specialist support from Richard.

He helped John Palin to complete a quality and HACCP manual, audited the company before the BRC audit to ensure the firm was compliant, dealt with technical questions from the auditor on the day of the audit, and carried out some HACCP training at the firm.

Richard has continued to support the firm and carries out a regular external audit to ensure that John Palin remains compliant.

The Food and Drink Forum is a membership-led business support organisation which works across the East Midlands and beyond. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Gala Way, Nottingham, and has members across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland and Northamptonshire.

Firms wanting more information should contact Richard Wigley at The Forum on 0115 9758810 or richard.wigley@foodanddrinkforum.co.uk.