2010News and Reviews

• 1 . UK Catering Supplies industry - What’s in store for 2010?

• Few would argue that 2009 was a difficult year for the UK Catering Supplies industry but early signs suggest that conditions in 2010 will be much brighter. According to new research by leading industry analysts Plimsoll, the market is slowly emerging from the malaise of the last 2 years.
  David Pattison, senior analysts and author of the 2010 Plimsoll Analysis explains, “The recession tore through the market in 08 and most 09 like a tornado and accelerated the rate of change in the market. Aggressive “growth at all cost” operators have been forced to abandon their reckless strategies and many have been caught out and are in real trouble. However, some amazing companies have come through the recession largely unaffected and look set to make 2010 their year. As the market continues to recover during the year the changes will continue to come thick and fast”.
  He continues “Our latest analysis projects that a further 1,000 jobs will have to be shed if companies are to get back to profit and remain competitive in 2010. Whether through natural wastage or compulsory lay offs, job losses are necessary. With the average sales per employee figure down to £217,000, employees need to “buy in” and contribute more to the recovery of their companies - if you still have a job expect to work much harder in 2010. £255 million worth of profit has been wiped from the market in the last year and employers have no choice but to cut their cloth accordingly and get more from their resources”.
  The new Plimsoll Industry Analysis – Catering Supplies gives an instant performance rating on the top 216 companies in the market. Each company has been rated as Strong, Good, Mediocre, Caution or Danger according to their latest performance. A graphical and written analysis will tell you which companies are in trouble and who is getting it right.
  Readers of Catering Manager are entitled to a £50 discount of this new special edition of the Plimsoll Industry Analysis – Catering Supplies. Call 01642 626400 for further details and quote reference PR/HP28.

• 2 . We have a food strategy, now we need delivery

• As DEFRA reveals Food 2030 Strategy, Sue Davies, chief policy adviser at Which? says: “It’s great news that we finally have a food strategy for England. 2030 pulls together the many elements of food policy, including the need to balance healthier eating with sustainable food production, and how to produce more food with less environmental impact.
  “But there now has to be much more focus on implementation and tackling the many complexities. Immediate priorities that need to be addressed include:
  • setting robust standards for food in public institutions, such as hospitals, as the proposed ‘Healthier food Mark’ is too weak
  • providing consistent, simple advice for consumers, in particularl on simplified nutrition labelling and giving advice on how to make more sustainable choices
  • ensuring that people are not misled by health or ‘green’ claims on foods
  enabling consumers to make informed choices about where their food comes from and have a choice over the use of new technologies used in production.”
  For more information on how Which? can help you, visit http://www.which.co.uk/campaigns

• 3 . Food 2030: Balanced delivery will be the key to success

• The NFU has said that Defra’s new food policy ‘Food 2030’ offers a useful blueprint for the future of the UK’s food system but that care is needed as Government moves to deliver its strategy.
  NFU President Peter Kendall said: “This vision demonstrates that Defra has grasped the complex issues that are in play when developing a joined up food policy and that it will provide much-needed leadership on food policy.
  “The whole food supply chain and Government will need to work together to optimise productivity within an increasingly competitive framework if we are to improve the sustainability of the sector at the same time. This Vision clearly sets out many of the challenges that the food system faces and indicates a number of possible solutions which farmers and growers will want to scrutinise as they think through the long-term direction of their businesses.
  “Having identified the core issues for the food system, Government will need to achieve the right balance between them as it moves to delivery. Farmers and growers are already demonstrating that they can produce more food while impacting less. What we now need are policies that underpin and enhance a productive agriculture sector.
  “The fact that Government wants to deliver its vision for food in partnership with industry and build on existing work in progress is good news. However, the need to base decisions on sound science, particularly where food production is concerned, has never been greater.”

• 4 . Warning to tourism employers of increased risk of ‘winter’ accidents

• Mace & Jones personal injury lawyer Jeremy Bradshaw said falls account for more than a third of accidents at work.
  “Car parks should be gritted or salted to reduce snow and ice coverage,” he said. “Extra care should be taken over places where there is a greater risk of danger, such as steps or slopes. Care should also be taken to prevent slipping in instances of transfer of snow or water off shoes onto polished floors as people enter buildings. Absorbent mats should be placed inside doors to collect water off shoes. Regular checks should be made to ensure that the mats haven’t become too damp and are failing to absorb the water.”
  Mr Bradshaw said employers or building managers should keep documentary evidence to show that such procedures are not only in place but are being carried out.
  “Failure to carry out these precautions will render an employer or building manger liable to compensate the injured person,” he warned. “The lack of any documentary evidence may mean that an employer or building manager can’t satisfy a court that systems were in place to prevent the injury resulting in them being found liable and having to pay compensation.”
  For further information contact Jeremy.Bradshaw@maceandjones.co.uk or any member of the Mace & Jones personal injury team in Liverpool: 0151 236 8989 Manchester: 0161 214 0500 Knutsford: 01565 634 234.

• 5 . Calypso supports Fairtrade’s Big Swap

• Calypso Soft Drinks is supporting The Fairtrade Foundation as it celebrates its 15th anniversary with ‘The Big Swap’ theme for 2010’s Fairtrade Fortnight (22nd Feb - 7th Mar). To mark the occasion, Calypso has launched its own Fairtrade Big Swap campaign as it aims to convince customers to upgrade to Fairtrade juices.
  During Fairtrade Fortnight 2010, the Fairtrade Foundation will be totting up product swaps on a special online swap-o-meter. The Big Swap is designed to show shoppers how easy it can be to break out of old shopping habits and start new ones - especially as more than 4,500 products have now been licensed to carry the Fairtrade Mark. Research shows that even among people who are likely to agree with the ideals behind Fairtrade, entrenched shopping habits sometimes prevent them from consciously looking for and choosing Fairtrade products.
  While the mainstream industry Pure Juice sector saw a sharp decline last year, Calypso reports a 25% growth in Fairtrade Pure Juice sales and hopes to convert more of its customers to choose ethical products.
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