Issue 1, Vol 1

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FEDERATION NEWS

MESSAGE FROM JAMES WOODWARD, OUTGOING FSDF PRESIDENT

2009 has been a year of hard work and some difficulty for many companies in the UK economy, as well as a year of change for the FSDF. to read message click here

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FSDF Rita Ellis - Finance Controller Retires

please click here

 

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FSDF at the Food and Drink Logistics Show

As you may already know FSDF have been asked to support the Food and Drink Logistics Show which is a new part of the larger FoodEx show at the NEC on 21-24 March. As part of this agreement we have a large prominent stand at the show and there is an opportunity for our Associate Members to be a part of this. click to find out further information

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Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme

As you are aware the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme comes into affect in April 2010. Whether you joined the Climate Change Agreement or not, if you have half hour meters you will have obligations to make an information disclosure under this legislation. click to find out further information

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COMMITTEE FOCUS

Technical and Safety

Working at height guidance for cold stores

The Food Storage and Distribution Federation (FSDF) and The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) are delighted to announce the launch of new Work At Height Guidance for the frozen food and cold storage industry. click here to read full press release

 

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Oldbury employer fined after worker fell through roof

An Oldbury man has been fined £3,500 after one of his workers fell 26 feet through a roof onto a concrete floor, breaking several bones. Click here to read further

 

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Business Affairs

Review of proposed arrangements for the approval of meat establishments

In May 2009, Tim Smith, Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency, commissioned Jan Polley of the National School of Government to review for him the proposed arrangements for the approval of meat establishments in Great Britain. for more information

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Logistics Management

Severe Weather

Members will know that FSDF is a key Trade Association member of the Emergency Planning Group initally set up by Defra to develop strategies and plans to maintain food supplies in case of a food Pandemic Click here

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Logistics Management

“Snow joke if you’re a haulier” says RHA

News reports over the past few days have focussed on the problems caused by atrocious weather conditions. Flights are delayed while many train operators are either running restricted services or cancelling them altogether. Click here

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BUSINESS NEWS

Sainsburys have had and increase in casseroles and hotpots

Sainsbury's have reported that their sales of hotpots and casseroles have increased by 40 percent Click here to read further

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Samworth cracks deals worth £15m

Leicester- based Samworth Brothers has won contracts worth £15m to supply ready meals to two major supermarket groups. Click here

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Highways Agency signs four-year Norbert deal

The Highways Agency has signed a four-year national warehousing and distribution contract with Norbert Dentressangle. Click here to read more

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Valuation Office Agency

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is an executive Agency of HM Revenues and Customs (HMRC). They have over 80 offices across England, Wales and Scotland and employ around 4000 staff. Click here

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Drivers urged to check effects of medicines

Drivers are to be warned about the potential effects of medicines in a new campaign launched by the Government’s Road Safety Minister, Paul Clark. Click here to read more about the campaign

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CBI NEWS

CBI comments on the weather disruption

The CBI, Britain’s leading business group, today commented on the effects of the snow in the UK. for more details

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LEGAL UPDATES

Hill Dickinson- Practical HR masterclass series

Seminar invitation: Wednesday 24 February 2010 read more....

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FEDERATION NEWS

MESSAGE FROM JAMES WOODWARD, OUTGOING FSDF PRESIDENT

2009 has been a year of hard work and some difficulty for many companies in the UK economy, as well as a year of change for the FSDF.

We have seen John Hutchings, the Federation’s Chief Executive over the last 11 years, hand over last May to Chris Sturman. Chris of course is no stranger to the organisation and the membership, having been a Board member for the last ten years, dating back to when he was Managing Director of West Kent Cold Storage. Rita Ellis, our hard working and fastidious Finance and Administration Controller has now retired, to take up the role of Lady Captain of her golf club for the next year, and we have welcomed Beverley Shaw as her replacement. Finally, after serving two years as your President, I have handed over to Malcolm Johnstone of ACS&T. In all respects a hand over process which sees the FSDF in good heart, financially sound and increasing its influence with Government and other trade associations representing interests within the food logistics sector.

Twelve months ago, I said I felt it would be difficult to predict what 2009 would bring. In the event, the temperature controlled food sector has fared far better than most might have thought, although the search for profit remains as hard work as ever. There have been structural changes in consumer purchase trends but overall, volumes have been up. In addition, we have seen further regulatory activity in fields of climate change, emissions reduction and food traceability regulations and we have continued to lobby and represent the interests of all members to ensure any adverse impact to businesses is avoided or minimised.

The rebranding of FSDF has been successful and the Federation is now working hard to ensure a comprehensive range of valuable membership services, relevant across the whole food supply chain are available, to support members in the profitable growth of their businesses. A major initiative for 2010 will be to further grow our chilled and ambient membership. In that respect, we have been able, yet again, to hold subscription levels for the 12th year in a row, whilst investing in new IT systems and communications structure to better inform and respond to member needs. A more dynamic and responsive website is scheduled for delivery in early 2010.

2009 was again a busy year for FSDF Events – Our extra value spring conference was well attended, with delegates benefiting from a keynote speech from John Cridland, Deputy Director General of CBI. John and subsequent speakers focused on the economic situation and how best to plan for the future. Numbers were down for Events Day in May. Those attendees enjoyed a range of challenging competitive activities, with Cold Move taking the trophy by a narrow margin. The FSDF Golf Day at a windy but sunny Formby Hall in Lancashire saw 40 participants enjoy a good test of golf, with Reed Boardall taking the team prize and Richard Storey of R K Harrison the individual.

Finally, Brian Young of the British Frozen Food Federation was able to share with us the more detailed trends across the food range at the FSDF Autumn conference in October at Leeds. This was a busy event which covered key issues such as Climate Change, Carbon Reduction and reporting, and included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Skills for Logistics, on which a training initiative is to be built in 2010. Also for the first time, we included highly valued workshops sessions, a style which will form a substantial part of the first FSDF event for 2010 – the Spring Conference to be held in Leicester on 10th/11th March.

The 2010 FSDF Events programme also sees an important change, with partnership with Reed Publications of a new annual Food and Drink Logistics Show, to take place at NEC, Birmingham from 21st to 24th March. A number of existing distribution and associate members have already taken stands, and FSDF is also developing a seminar programme over the four days on relevant food supply chain issues – an event not to miss. The FSDF golf day is scheduled for 13th July at Breadsall Priory, Derby and Autumn Conference this year is planned for a London venue on 29th September with a very special event to follow – details of which will be circulated during 2010 and not to be missed.

So as we move forward slowly out of recession, I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as your President. I look forward to seeing the FSDF continue its valuable work, to grow and move forward to our centenary year in 2011, and beyond. Wishing you a Happy and, yes, prosperous New Year.

 

Regards

James Woodward

Immediate Past President

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FSDF Rita Ellis - Finance Controller Retires

 

 

Rita Ellis, Finance Controller of the Food Storage and Distribution Federation has retired at the end of December 2009.

To mark the occasion, FSDF staff members held a Christmas lunch in Rita's honour at the The New Mill, New Mill Road Eversley, near Reading, at which he was presented with a electric golf trolley. Rita will still be busy as she is now Golf Captain at the Finchampstead Golf Course.

Rita has been with the FSDF for over 10 years and during that period, worked closely with John Hutchings to improve the financial stability of the Federation

 

 

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FSDF at the Food and Drink Logistics Show

As you may already know FSDF have been asked to support the Food and Drink Logistics Show which is a new part of the larger FoodEx show at the NEC on 21-24 March. As part of this agreement we have a large prominent stand at the show and there is an opportunity for our Associate Members to be a part of this.

We haven’t worked out exactly how this will work logistically yet but it will either be in the form of a small area for literature, maybe a graphics poster/board and a person to support this. There will be some cost involved, but it is an excellent opportunity to market your company to the thousands of prospects that will attend. I have attached the brochure with more information and also a link to the show website.

If you are interested in being part of the show then please contact Julie Pizzey for more information.

iimni/UserFiles/Applications/Documents/Downloads/FD Logistics eBro 18-09-09.pdf

http://fdlogisticsshow.co.uk/page/home.html

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Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme

As you are aware the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme comes into affect in April 2010. Whether you joined the Climate Change Agreement or not, if you have half hour meters you will have obligations to make an information disclosure under this legislation.

 

With our partners Enviros Consulting Ltd we are able to provide you with support and help to meet these requirements through the use of a specialist software tool to lead you through the maize and collect the required data in an orderly and logical way.

If you would like us to help you with this then please contact Mike Thomas at FSDF who will be very pleased to assist, alternatively you can contact Enviros direct by using the following appropriate form below.

iimni/UserFiles/Applications/Documents/Downloads/CRC Exclusion Assessment Tool_FSDF_final.pdf

iimni/UserFiles/Applications/Documents/Downloads/CRC Tool Conditions of Use_final.pdf

 

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Working at heights guidance for cold stores

The Food Storage and Distribution Federation (FSDF) and The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) are delighted to announce the launch of new Work At Height Guidance for the frozen food and cold storage industry. This new guidance supports the industry in their selection of work at height equipment and has been developed following full consultation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Most cold store and frozen food operators require access for work at height activities. Due to the harsh climatic environment within a cold store, with temperatures often below minus 20oC, there is a lack of current state of the art technology providing work at height solutions for the industry. Consequently prior to the agreement of this new guidance, many cold store operators were in breach of existing HSE guidance in this area by regularly utilising non integrated working platforms1 for planned work. This meant that companies were potentially liable to prosecution and the industry lacked practical safety guidance in this area.

FSDF and BFFF have worked for some time with HSE to deliver a solution for the industry and HSE has recognised the practical limitations for cold stores. The resulting new guidance is supplementary to existing HSE Guidance note PM282, and supports cold store operators in their selection of work at height equipment by outlining a hierarchy of the alternatives available. It also includes some examples of elements to consider in developing a safe system of work for the operation of lift truck and non-integrated working platform combinations.

FSDF and BFFF are delighted to have worked together with HSE to provide a practical guide for the industry. The industry is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all involved in the frozen food industry. This new guidance will support the industry to enhance their health and safety practices by providing relevant and practical advice for work at height solutions. Go to www.fsdf.org.uk to view the new guidance document.

NOTES 1. Non-integrated working platforms are attachments for use in conjunction with forklift trucks to elevate people so they can work at height, but they have no controls in the platform that allow a person in the platform to control the lift height of the platform or move the truck; i.e. all truck and working platform movements are controlled by the truck operator.

2. HSE Guidance Note PM28 (3rd edition) – Working Platforms (Non-integrated) on forklift trucks outlines the restrictions on the circumstances in which non-integrated working platforms can be used.

 

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Oldbury employer fined after worker fell through roof

An Oldbury man has been fined £3,500 after one of his workers fell 26 feet through a roof onto a concrete floor, breaking several bones.

Ian Brian Griffiths, 41, of Theodore Close, Oldbury pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1)(c) and 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and to breaching section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Friday (18/12). He was also ordered to pay £1,408 costs.

The court heard that Craig Richard Thomas, aged 35 from Wolverhampton, and Paul Anthony Leggett, 28 from Oldbury, were working on the roof of industrial units at Camelot Way in Small Heath, Birmingham on 8 October 2008. They were employed as subcontractors by Mr Griffiths, who had been contracted to repair the building.

While Mr Leggett was on the roof, he lost his balance on a crawling board and fell through the roof. He suffered a broken leg, ankle, wrist and nose in the fall.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Mike Ford, said:

"Mr Leggett was lucky to survive falling 26 feet through the roof, landing on the concrete floor below. The equipment provided to these men and the system of work used was completely inadequate.

"The precautions taken to ensure their safety fell far short of what is acceptable.

"Working at height remains a major cause of death and injury at work in Great Britain. Employers must ensure the correct precautions are taken and the right equipment is used."

During the investigation by the (HSE) it also emerged that Mr Thomas had not received adequate training to carry out the job, putting him in danger.

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Hill Dickinson - Practical HR masterclass series

Seminar invitation: Wednesday 24 February 2010

Series 1: How to manage poor performance and absence

In the first of Hill Dickinson's series of HR masterclasses, this practical one day course provides a comprehensive understanding of the law on managing absence and poor performance in the workplace. Delegates will learn the necessary practical skills and knowledge to tackle these costly issues effectively and within the law.

Skills training will be developed with the help of two case studies and workshop learning in discussion groups.

Who should attend?

This course is best suited for HR professionals, line managers and directors of SMEs who have responsibility for managing absence and poor performance. Expert knowledge of employment law is not required, this session is designed to improve delegates' practical skills.

Wednesday 24 February 2010

Programme

Speaker:

Will Clayton, Partner, employment law

09.15 Registration and introduction

09.30 Course in context

Reminder of unfair dismissal law and related risk areas

Managing poor performance

 Performance management procedure; managing the process in practice; practical tips on dealing with common problems and pitfalls; case study

12.30 Lunch

13.30 Managing absence

Tackling short term and long term absence; practical application of an absence management procedure; disability discrimination; case study

16.30 Close

At the end of the course delegates will receive a certificate of completion from the Hill Dickinson Business School.

Cost

This one day course is £245 plus VAT per delegate, which includes training, course materials, refreshments and lunch.

To secure your place on the course, please reply to the RSVP address below by Wednesday 10 February. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis, once full payment has been received.

Download the course programme here

Venue details and directions

Hill Dickinson LLP, No.1 St. Paul’s Square, Liverpool, L3 9SJ

RSVP by Wednesday 10 February by email to Julie Grewer or on 0161 817 7304

About the practical HR masterclass series

Invitations to the rest of the HR masterclass seminars will follow in 2010.

Initial details can be found by clicking here.

 

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Review of proposed arrangements for the approval of meat establishments

In May 2009, Tim Smith, Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency, commissioned Jan Polley of the National School of Government to review for him the proposed arrangements for the approval of meat establishments in Great Britain.

The final report can be found at the link below.

The report looks at the governance arrangements being put in place to oversee the approval of new meat establishments for which responsibility transferred from the FSA to the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) in October 2009. The report does not look at the one-off exercise conducted by the FSA from 2006 to the end of 2009 to re-approve all premises following new European legislation.

Since commissioning and receiving the report, much has changed within the FSA. The FSA Board has agreed that the MHS should be formally merged with the FSA, and FSA Directors have agreed to establish the FSA Operations Group. The report makes a number of sensible recommendations, which the Chief Executive and Directors are considering in the light of changes agreed and made to the organisation since Ms Polley started her work.

Any proposed changes to the governance arrangements for the approval of meat establishments are for the FSA Board to decide.

The FSA is grateful to Ms Polley for her report and to all those who contributed.

http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/janpolleyreport.pdf

Reminder to the FSDF Storage members - please pass any comment on this or any other FSA and food legislation issue to Chris Sturman, who will take it further to the appropriate FSA or Defra staff.

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Severe Weather

Members will know that FSDF is a key Trade Association member of the Emergency Planning Group initally set up by Defra to develop strategies and plans to maintain food supplies in case of a food Pandemic. Fortunately the H1N1 Flu pandemic is falling away, which has allowed Defra attention to transfer to maintenance of the food supply chain during this period of severe ice and snow.

 

As FSDF Distribution members will know, we have been collecting and forwarding operational reports to feed through into the wider situation information being considered by Government Ministers and their teams in Defra and Department for Transport.

 

In addition, we have been an important source of information for the Press, with your Chief Executive being reported on the BBC News website and The Times newspaper, and being interviewed on ITN News at Ten and BBC Local Radio. These have focused very much on maintenance of supply despite it all, no need to panic buy, and the superb efforts that member companies and all their employees have been making to maintain their usual high standards of customer service. We were even close to achieving a BBC Lunchtime News live interview with Malcolm Johnstone, your new FSDF President, but were pipped at the last minute by the even more important breaking news that Jonathan Ross had resigned from the BBC! BUT all good contacts for the future.

Comments and responses from FSDF members have been greatly appreciated and have added to the visibility of the FSDF as the Trade Association with members which represent the vital logistics link between food and drink manufacture and the consumer, in either the retail, wholesale or foodservice sector.

CJS

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8443791.stm

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p005wwqh/Anne_Diamond_11_01_2010/

 

 

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“Snow joke if you’re a haulier” says RHA

News reports over the past few days have focussed on the problems caused by atrocious weather conditions.

Flights are delayed while many train operators are either running restricted services or cancelling them altogether.

 

But despite the gloom, doom and ice, most supermarket shelves remain stacked, factories keep working, filling stations maintain stocks of fuel and, to all intents and purposes, life goes on. This is down to the unsung heroes of the UK haulage industry.

The cost to the economy in general caused by the current adverse weather conditions will amount to millions of pounds in lost revenue. The cost to the haulage industry in particular will be equally damaging.

Hauliers are facing up to serious problems completing deliveries on time, many requiring additional resources (drivers and vehicles) to complete normal duties. And if this were not enough, many operators are finding that their customers have closed until the weather improves.

Diversion costs due to road closures are also an issue while those who deliver to industrial sites face additional safety hazards of side roads which have not been gritted because of they do not rate sufficiently high on local authorities’ list of priorities.

And if THAT were not enough, hauliers are now paying the highest rates for diesel for well over a year.

“This is an industry that works tremendously hard come rain, shine or snow”, said RHA spokesperson Kate Gibbs. “We have just been through a year that for many members has been financially crippling. Despite this, UK hauliers are STILL delivering the UK economy.”

 

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Sainsburys have had an increase of 40% on casseroles and hotpots

 

Sainsbury's have reported that their sales of hotpots and casseroles have increased by 40 percent in Scotland during the snowy weather, compared with 20 percent across the rest of the UK. With more Scots using the on-line shopping and delivery service, Tanya Lawler Sainsbury's on-line director said that doing the weekly shop on-line allows you to do it from the comfort of you own home, and to select a delivery time that suits you, without having to go out and brave the hazardous conditions.

 

 

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Samworth cracks deals worth £15m

FSDF member Leicestershire based Samworth Brothers has won contracts worth £15m to supply ready meals to two supermarket groups.

The contracts with Morrisons and Marks & Spencer will also create 150 new jobs.

Samworths will make a range of 20 meals for Morrisons in a deal worth £12m a year. The company will produce Italian and traditional English ranges.

The £3m M&S deal is for a smaller range of ready meals. All the products wil be made at Samworth's Kettleby Foods Factory in Melton Mowbray and at a plant in Kirby Muxloe.

Chief executive Brian Stein said;"We already deal with Morrisons and supply their pork pies and sausages. The new ready-meal range will be sold under the Morrisons name."It's great news for us. The Marks & Spencers deail is for a small range at present, but we are hoping for bigger and better things out of it."

The new contracts are expected to increase turnover for Samworths by at least £50m a year, with last years turnover at around £650m.

 

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Highways Agency signs four-year Norbert deal

The Highways Agency has signed a four-year national warehousing and distribution contract with Norbert Dentressangle.

The Highways Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Transport, is responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network in England.

It has a major role in delivering the government's ten year plan for transport.

Norbert Dentressangle will be responsible for the storage of around 1,500 SKUs at its shared-user warehouse in Telford for the provision and maintenance of roadside cameras, telephones and electronic signs for the motorway network in England, including matrix signs, gantries, nuts and bolts.

It will also distribute these items to either to The Highways Agency’s regional maintenance contractors or direct to roadside projects.

Initially, Norbert Dentressangle will provide more than 100,000 sq ft of storage space, including hard standing for heavy materials and equipment, racking for palletised products and storage bins and shelving for small items.

The 3PL is also providing technical support facilities within the site for use as a workshop by The Highways Agency’s technical support contractor.

The distribution operation will involve a mix of dedicated, shared and sub-contract deliveries. Where possible, it will deliver materials and equipment direct to site on a just in time basis, helping to minimise lead times and handling and distribution costs.

Nigel Dovell, manager for The Highways Agency, said: “Their solution will support efficiency improvements in our operation, which in turn supports the efficient delivery of projects to improve the operation of and safety on the English motorway network.”

 

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Valuation Office Agency

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is an executive Agency of HM Revenues and Customs (HMRC). The have over 80 offices across England, Wales and Scotland and employ around 4000 staff.

The work of the VOA comprises:

• compiling and maintaining lists of rateable values of the 1.7 million non-domestic properties in England, and 100,000 in Wales, to support the collection of business rates
• compiling and maintaining lists of bandings of some 23 million domestic properties in England and 1.3 million in Wales, to support the collection of council tax
• determining local housing allowance across 153 Broad Rental Market Areas in England, providing some 714,000 rental assessments for housing benefit purposes and registering some 78,000 Rent Act 1977 fair rents in England
• advising Ministers on property valuation matters
• providing valuation advice and services to the Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly Government
• providing valuation advice to HMRC in connection with capital gains tax, inheritance tax and other compliance work
• delivering a range of statutory and non-statutory valuation and estate surveying services to central and local government and the wider public sector.www.voa.gov.uk

 

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Drivers urged to check effects of medicines

Drivers are to be warned about the potential effects of medicines in a new campaign launched by the Government’s Road Safety Minister, Paul Clark.

 

As part of the campaign, launched under the existing THINK! programme, one million leaflets will be distributed through 2600 Boots stores and medicine bags will be labelled with stickers prompting drivers to check with their doctor or pharmacist that they are safe to drive while taking their medicines.

The initiative follows a major TV, radio and online campaign in August 2009 to target the irresponsible minority who drive while under the influence of illegal drugs.

Mr Clark said: “We have already run a hard-hitting campaign to tackle those who drive after taking illegal drugs. But it is not just illegal drugs which can affect your driving. Some medicines may cause drowsiness and impair judgement, increasing the risk of an accident.”

According to a source at Boots, the law already requires that a warning is included in the patient information of every medicine that may have an effect on driving.

However, it is hoped that the campaign will raise awareness of the issue and encourage drivers to seek additional information from their doctors or pharmacists. Paul Bennett, Boots Professional Standards Director and Superintendent Pharmacist, said: “It is vital that anyone taking medicine follows the instructions properly and continues to take their course. However, people also need to take into account the potential effects their medicine may have on their ability to drive.”

 

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CBI comments on the weather disruption

John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General, said:

The severe weather has obviously caused massive disruption for companies across the country, and the people who work for them. It’s particularly unfortunate because it comes at what is already a difficult time because of the economic situation. “One thing that has made things slightly easier has been the willingness of people to use modern technology, especially broadband internet, to work from home to try to help companies keep going, and this is obviously a good thing.

 

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