IT

Touch and go ... to a career in food and drink manufacturing is the aim of a new digital campaign aimed at youngsters. To book your free place at our Skills Seminar, contact Hannah Rosevear on 01293 610431 or email Hannah.Rosevear@wrbm.com

UK does the business on the web

By Mike Stones

The internet contributes 8.3% of the UK economy – a bigger contribution than in any other developed nation, according to a new study by The Boston Consulting Group.

Supermarkets will increasingly cater for smart consumers using smart technology

Supermarkets switch onto smart phone technology

By Rick Pendrous

Smart phones will be central to the way tomorrow’s young, 'Generation Y' shoppers interact with food and drink products on sale in supermarkets, according to new research commissioned from the grocery think tank IGD by Coca-Cola Enterprises...

New software could make your BlackBerry a new weapon in the battle to improve efficiency

Smartphone software dials up efficiencies

By Rod Addy

Food and drink processors can slash downtime and boost production and efficiency thanks to software just launched in the UK that enables them to co-ordinate maintenance work via their BlackBerry smartphones.

Software to cause hard problems for food firms

Software to cause hard problems for food firms

By Freddie Dawson

Software systems used by many UK food manufacturers are 10 years behind those of their European competitors and need to be upgraded urgently, a software supplier has claimed.

Do you know your Facebook from your Twitter? Does your firm make the most of the business opportunities social media offers? To find answers to those questions, make a date to attend Food Manufacture's 2011 Product Recall Conference at the National Motorcycle Museum on Wednesday, November 23. Social media consultant Matthew Yeomans will explain how to harness the power of social media tools to benefit your food or beverage business. For more information, phone 01293 610433 or see article

Food and beverage firms switch on to social media

By Rick Pendrous

Food and drink manufacturers have been told they can no longer ignore social media, as news emerges that drinks giant Diageo has signed up to the social network site Facebook.

Faster and easier to use, claims the developer

New ‘faster’ software for HACCP management

By Mike Stones

A new data monitoring system designed to manage hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP) is faster and easier to use than paper-based systems, claims its developer SAFAS, a consultancy in food hygiene and health and safety.

Win robot palletising war

Win robot palletising war

Two new palletising robots, three palletising grippers and an easy-to-use programming software have been introduced by ABB Robotics to make palletising simpler, faster and more efficient.

Software for sausages

Software for sausages

Sausage maker Blakeman says switching to Solarsoft’s Tropos enterprise resource planning (ERP) system has cut quality control staff costs and boosted production efficiency by 15–20%.

Head in the clouds



Head in the clouds



By Lou Reade

Despite the clamour to reduce food miles, the food industry relies on transporting products and ingredients whether it is milk, poultry or hops between locations, in order to add value to them.

Have you heard?

Have you heard?

Inaccurate product data is costing the food industry millions, says Michelle Knott

Put wasteful buying on ice

Put wasteful buying on ice

I lifted the lid of our second freezer and asked my wife: "what do you see?" She looked puzzled as I pointed at the frozen packs of sausages, peas...

The perils of pyramid silos

The perils of pyramid silos

By Hugh Williams

'You see, Barak,' I said, while his wife Michelle served the soup, 'businesses are structured in a way that's not logical to the product and money...

Bonuses for shooting aliens

Bonuses for shooting aliens

The little boy concentrated on his portable Nintendo, his fingers frantically pressing the buttons. The tip of his tongue stuck out of his mouth...

Can I borrow your secateurs?

Can I borrow your secateurs?

There I was: ready, prepared, and motivated. It was a sunny Saturday afternoon and the garden needed some attention. My wife and I had consulted on...

It takes real genius to hit your targets

It takes real genius to hit your targets

By Hugh Williams

I rang my doctor's surgery recently. I could not get an appointment for that day or the next. So they asked me to call back two days later. I...

Return of the mage

Return of the mage

Simplicity and visibility are key as financial pressures prompt suppliers and retailers to work together using common systems, as Rod Addy discovers

Do you feel a bit paranoid?

Do you feel a bit paranoid?

By Hugh Williams

Sometimes you get the feeling something is not quite right. Your gut is telling you to watch out, but your head is trying to convince you that you...

I'm lovin' it

I'm lovin' it

By Elaine Watson

McDonald's head of supply chain Dean McKenna talks to Elaine Watson about life working under the golden arches

Just remember not to forget

Just remember not to forget

What's the average memory span of a business? Judging by how quickly they make the same mistakes again, I would say six months. In fact, six months...

The forecast for tomorrow is...

The forecast for tomorrow is...

Of all supply chain planning processes, sales forecasting often causes the biggest headaches.Ideally, everyone should work from the same numbers,...

Waiting for the sign from above

Waiting for the sign from above

By Hugh Williams

I wait for this moment with great anticipation. I know someone will say it. Most of them have been thinking it for a while. Suddenly one of them is...

Bigger lorries a mixed blessing

Bigger lorries a mixed blessing

By Hugh Williams

Andrew Tinkler, chief executive of Eddie Stobart, recently revealed on Radio 4 that he was talking to the transport secretary about plans to increase...

Keep the noise down please

Keep the noise down please

By Hugh Williams

In the Williams household, the amount of bread we consume is stable and predictable. Around Bank Holidays, we stock up beforehand. But even that...

Ride the red rollercoaster

Ride the red rollercoaster

By Rick Pendrous

When the going gets tough, the tough manufacturers streamline their operational processes. Rick Pendrous discovers new ways to survive

How to reel in the big cheese

How to reel in the big cheese

By Hugh Williams

How dare you waste your chief executive's time, talking about supply chain opportunities? This is of no interest to him. Surely, it is your job to...

Slow burn for Dentressangle

Slow burn for Dentressangle

By Rick Pendrous

Transport operator Norbert Dentressangle is tightening its belt in anticipation of the economic slowdown, with the objective of becoming a leaner and...

Burning down the house

Burning down the house

By Hugh Williams

Let's be quite clear from the outset: arson is a crime. So why do we persist in lighting fires in our own businesses? Have you ever wondered how many...