Logistics @ Foodex

Foodex, the UK show for processing, packaging and logistics, will take place at Birmingham's NEC from 25 to 27 March 2012. Now with a dedicated section on logistics, the event will have increased appeal for senior buyers with wide ranging remits, making it the must-attend event of the year for the industry.

Specialist logistics are vital to the food and drink industry - whether you're a primary producer, manufacturer, supplier or retailer. This year's show will address the increasingly wide-ranging purchasing remits of thousands of buyers from across the industry with suppliers on hand to offer advice on improving efficiency and cutting costs in the supply chain.

Here's a snapshot of the exhibitors who will be showcasing their latest products and services within logistics@foodex:

Norbert Dentressangle (stand H319) will be on hand to talk about their latest robust, responsive and highly cost-effective solutions. With a comprehensive network of multi-temperature facilities, they can offer dedicated and shared-user solutions for large and small manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and food-service companies. 

Savoye (stand K326) will be displaying their expanding range of solutions that have been developed for major organisations including Ardo, Britvic and P&G across the world and include a mixture of cranes, automation, packaging, conveying and WMS solutions. UK Sales Director, Martin Elliott, says: "Our approach is all about understanding the specific needs of the business first and devising the right solution from a warehouse automation perspective. This more consultative approach is really paying dividends for customers that want a more bespoke automation system."

CHEP (stand K319), the global leader in managed, returnable and reusable packaging solutions, will be promoting their environmentally sustainable services which can increase efficiency for customers while reducing operating risk and product damage. 

SCALA (stand K321) will also be on hand to offer high quality supply-chain and logistics consulting, from customer service strategies to operations improvement. SCALA are leaders in benchmarking Food & Drink 'Supply Chain Best Practice', and their Fresh Connection UK Competition and Training Programmes offer individual professional development to build awareness of supply chain strategy.

Widdowson Group (stand H321) will be talking about how they can add real value to the food and drink processing industry through their cost effective services ranging from warehousing, transport and distribution to contract packing and freight forwarding. John Hawksworth, commercial director of the Widdowson Group, comments, "We are constantly searching for ways to improve our customers' logistics experience and this market is a particularly important one for us."

Other key exhibitors include:  Toyota Material Handling (stand G312) who will be showcasing their comprehensive range of forklifts, warehouse equipment products, national service support, fleet management as well as tailored product and safety training. Malcolm Logistics (stand J320) will talk about their fully-integrated road, rail and warehousing services offering throughout the UK.  The Canute Group (J319) will be at the show to explain the benefits of their partnership approach to developing clients' business.  JS Desiccants (stand J333) will be presenting their Superdry container desiccant which absorbs 200% its own weight in moisture to maintain a low humidity in shipping containers and prevent condensation damage to cargo.

New products
Visitors will also be able to learn about products that have just entered the market. 

• Transdek Uk Ltd (stand D325) will be showcasing their 6.5T V2G Lift with Load Weight Monitor - a single stop solution for the safe, efficient loading of all goods vehicles to ground level at flat-floor loading bays
• Aetna UK Limited (stand H320) will be putting their new Rotoplat 507 pallet wrapper in the spotlight
• Fuchs Lubricants (stand Q339) will be exhibiting their wide range of fully synthetic CASSIDA food grade chain oils which provide excellent protection against wear and corrosion and are highly resistant to fling-off or wash-off.

Foodex Live
Foodex will also feature a comprehensive programme of presentations, workshops, discussion groups and networking events many of which will be of interest to those operating in the logistics arena:

• Logistics @ Foodex, hosted by SCALA Consulting. John Perry, SCALA MD says: "SCALA Consulting and the Fresh Connection Team are extremely pleased to host the Logistics @ Foodex Theatre for the second year running. We're coordinating lively debates from senior level speakers across the logistics and supply chain sector on the topic of 'Innovation in the Supply Chain'. Alongside this, SCALA's Fresh Connection will be holding exciting interactive sessions where organisations can get involved in the successful industry training programme which builds awareness of supply chain strategy and company profitability. The Logistics Theatre is set to be its busiest yet, and definitely not one to miss at Foodex."
• The UKWA Pavilion will host leading suppliers including Widdowson, Narrow Flexi Aisle, AIDC Solutions, Malcolm Logistics, Onward Holdings and Central Systems providing expertise on the latest warehousing solutions
• The Food Storage & Distribution Federation will host a series of issue-specific topics during its breakfast meetings at the show. "This is an opportunity for our members not only to promote their services, but to create a platform for industry-wide discussion around aspects of food & drink distribution and logistics that are foremost in the minds of manufacturers and their increasingly vocal customers."
• The OPS Advice Surgery, which is being run by OPS Logistics Consultancy, will be offering free one-to-one advice on a variety of issues ranging from increasing revenue, reducing costs and optimising performance
• Food Logistics Forum, hosted by CILT UK will feature inspiring debates on the issues of the day.