The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
Jobs at risk as Bakkavor’s Spalding site enters consultation process
More than 430 jobs are under threat at the Bakkavor food manufacturing plant at Spalding in Lincolnshire, according to the union Unite. Unite met with the management staff at Bakkavor to ask for the business rationale for the 433 job cuts at one the four sites at the...
UK food industry publishes Covid-19 recovery proposals
Food industry figures across the UK have published a ‘path to recovery’ which details steps Government and industry can take to future proof the sector and calls on the Government to address the UK’s negative balance of trade in food. The report was endorsed by over...
Shopper confidence in food hits seven-year high
While overall shopper confidence remains at one of the lowest levels on record, consumer trust in food has hit a seven-year high, according to the latest results from the IGD Shopper Confidence Index. The IGD Shopper Confidence Index in May 2020 remains low at -10...
Freaks of Nature invests £1m to sustain significant growth
Yorkshire’s plant-based desserts producer Freaks of Nature is investing £1m in its manufacturing facilities to meet the growing demand for its chilled desserts and hot puddings. The Ossett-based brand is installing a second manufacturing line as well as investing in...
Changes to 2 Sisters parent company board
The parent company of 2 Sisters Food Group, Boparan Holdings, has announced changes to its non-executive board with the appointment of Ian Ellis as chief financial officer. Ellis, who also spent four years at the Co-op as its chief financial officer, has held a number...
IGD responds to industry changes with supply chain analysis
In response to changes to the food and consumer goods supply chain over recent months, research and training charity IGD has enhanced its Supply Chain Analysis platform to provide business with the tools needed to succeed in the new normal. Informed by the industry’s...
Nominations now open for Women in Meat Industry Awards
The search has started for this year’s Meat Business Woman Of The Year, as part of the annual and highly prestigious Women in Meat Industry Awards, with the opportunity to nominate candidates online. Recognising the important and varied contributions that women make...
Royal Warrant holding butcher appoints former Morrisons director as CEO
Scottish butchers and Royal Warrant holder, Donald Russell, has appointed former Morrisons marketing director, Mike Hoban, as its new chief executive. As well as Morrisons, Hoban has also represented British Airways, Confused.com and Scottish Widows in a number of...
Morrisons’ phone delivery service passes 100k orders in two months
Morrisons’ new phone shopping service, aimed specifically at the old and vulnerable during the current pandemic, has received over 100,00 orders in its first two months of operation. Launched in April, the new telesales shopping platform was introduced in response to...
Research suggests new normal for food habits post virus
A survey of 1,706 people conducted by Leatherhead Food Research has suggested that consumer behaviour and eating habits may be permanently affected as a result of Covid-19. The survey found that the majority of UK consumers (94%) said they changed the way they shop...