Cold Chain Hub 2024 – the UK’s only dedicated event for the cold storage and distribution sector – will take place at Birmingham’s NEC on 9 & 10 October. With a focus on sustainability, the exhibition and conference will showcase innovation across the cold supply chain. This will be the first time since 1981 that this established event – supported by the Road Haulage Association and organised by the team behind TCS&D magazine, the UK’s leading publication for the temperature-controlled supply chain – will be held at the NEC. “Exhibitor bookings and early visitor registrations show grea ..read more

After installing Rack Collapse Prevention’s safety system into their dry stores at the company’s head office in Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire, Castle Howell have now fitted this specialist racking safety system into their freezers. Castell Howell is Wales’s leading independent food service wholesaler, servicing the length and breadth of Wales, the Border Counties and the south west of England. Unlike many other safety systems on the market that reinforce from the bottom, Rack Collapse Prevention’s safety system supports from the top, ensuring racking structures stay upright in a collision eve ..read more

Total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International is delighted after receiving a BRCGS AA+ grade for two of its depots following unannounced inspections. Oakland International Group Supply Chain Certification & Compliance Manager Louise Smith commented: “This is a tremendous result and down to the sheer dedication and hard work of every depot team member who maintain these exacting quality standards, not just when they know an audit is due but as this result clearly demonstrates, year-round. “Working within the supply chain food safety is of paramount importance, so for us to not ..read more

Heads of the UK’s leading logistics trade associations are urging the next government to recognise the value the sector provides to the economy and appoint a dedicated minister for logistics with cross-departmental responsibilities. Eleven of the UK’s leading logistics trade associations have cosigned a letter which was delivered to the leaders of the UK’s and devolved nations’ main political parties today, highlighting the role logistics can play in boosting growth and productivity, if backed by the right policies and a dedicated minister supported by a Cabinet Office structure to support del ..read more

Redde Northgate has announced the appointment of Neil McCrossan as its new Northgate UK & Ireland Managing Director. As Managing Director, Neil will take responsibility for Northgate’s fleet mobility businesses in the UK and Ireland plus Northgate’s subsidiary businesses, Blakedale, FridgeXpress and ChargedEV. This will include both the Northgate and Auxillis Services branch networks. A leading figure within the rental industry for more than 40 years, Neil has been instrumental in developing many of the service propositions that are now considered to be standard within the industry. Neil h ..read more

The Join the Move to –15°C Coalition has today announced the appointment of the world’s leading refrigerated cargo expert, Thomas Eskesen, to the position of Chair. The appointment comes as the Coalition continues to bolster its member base, with five new industry leaders pledging their support for a move to -15°C. The Coalition, which was initiated by global logistics firm DP World in 2023, is an industry-wide alliance that aims to redefine frozen food temperature standards to reduce emissions, cut supply chain costs and secure food resources for the world’s growing population. Eskesen brings ..read more

Back by popular demand, Aviko has relaunched their legendary Hash Brown Bites to give operators a tasty and flexible solution for today’s hardworking menus. Available now to foodservice operators, Aviko’s Hash Brown Bites are both plant based and gluten-free. These versatile golden nuggets have a soft, fluffy potato centre, with a crisp, crunchy coating and come as a tasty alternative to fries. They also make an innovative addition to breakfast/brunch occasions and grab and go solutions helping operators stay one step ahead in two booming markets. Ready to serve from frozen in 3.5 minutes when ..read more

Following a recent unannounced audit, JS Davidson has this year been awarded with a AA+ grade for Storage and Distribution from BRCGS. The temperature-controlled solutions specialist, which has invested heavily into its operations in the past couple of years, has achieved an AA+ BRCGS rating until February 2025, with its AA+ accreditation acting as its crowning grade to date. JS Davidson, which was formerly named Chiltern Cold Storage Group prior to its rebrand earlier this November 2022, was one of the first temperature controlled logistics companies to be awarded BRC global standard for stor ..read more

Union Industries, the UK’s leading manufacturer of bespoke industrial doors, has helped food importer and distributer, Taj Foods, improve efficiency through the installation of high-speed freezer doors – the Eiger Door. Taj Foods, specialists in frozen exotic food and prepared meals, was established in 1980 and recently expanded its cold storage at its Sheffield warehouse to meet growing demand. The project undertaken by EJM refrigeration, involved improving its energy efficiency and carbon footprint with the installation of a new CO2 refrigeration system. The two Eiger Doors will enhance oper ..read more

Leading food manufacturer The Compleat Food Group has acquired SK Foods and Zorba Foods from The Entrepreneurial Food Group for an undisclosed figure. The two food businesses are category leaders in private label chilled party foods and dips and deli fillings, with a combined turnover of over £160m and over 1,150 employees. They are the latest strategic acquisitions by The Compleat Food Group as it continues its journey to become the UK’s number one chilled prepared food company. Backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners, The Compleat Food Group was formed in 2021 and currently emplo ..read more