Andrew Reed, MD – wine & exhibitions, William Reed, explains what visitors can expect from Foodex Manufacturing Solutions 2023 at the NEC Birmingham
AFTER a five-year hiatus, Foodex Manufacturing Solutions returns to the NEC, Birmingham this April (24–26), as part of the UK Food & Drink Shows. Bringing together the very best of the hospitality, manufacturing and grocery, speciality & convenience retail sectors, the shows are set to showcase the very latest products, big thinking, key insights and address key trends through the lens of the developing cost-of-living crisis.
The must-attend event unites Foodex Manufacturing Solutions (incorporating Ingredients), National Convenience Show, Farm Shop & Deli Show and Food & Drink Expo under one roof, giving food and drink professionals 2023’s most comprehensive snapshot of the latest developments across multiple industries.
The three-day event is well known for its ability to bring together the great and the good from the industry’s diverse sectors with innovative exhibitors, hot-topic seminars and business-changing awards central to the shows’ unparalleled line-up.
Visitors to Foodex Manufacturing Solutions, the UK’s premier trade event for food and drink manufacturing, processing, packaging and logistics, will leave with heightened awareness of the sector’s technology, automation and sustainability capabilities. A jam-packed show floor will be showcasing the latest products and services to improve operational efficiency, with exhibitors such as ProPack – specialists in a wide range of films for the packaging of fresh foods; experts in quality, cost-effective coding equipment, Rotech Machines; and Inspiron Systems – leading suppliers of weighing labelling and inspection systems, showcasing their wares.
Also exhibiting are Autopak Machinery Limited, consultants to the packaging industry for over 20 years; Paramount Packaging Systems, who are dedicated to the supply and service of Fuji Packaging Machines; and Fischbein Saxon, experts in sewing systems and bag sealers.
Meanwhile, on a central stage, expert panels will be discussing some of the biggest issues facing the sector. Industry heavyweights such as Kate Nicholls from UKHospitality, Katie Prowse from Lumina Intelligence and Cliona Howie from Foundation Earth, are just some of the names that have been lined up to tackle hot-topic issues such as sustainability and technology.
Key highlights of the programme’s schedule include:
• Creating harmonious eco labels? As consumers demand further transparency in food and drink, eco labels have come to the fore. However, with so many methods available, will it ever be possible to truly trust the label? How can we create a harmonious approach?
• Food allergies: a threat or an opportunity? Do consumers trust food businesses when it comes to product labelling? Businesses that proactively embrace allergy labelling have an opportunity to go above and beyond to demonstrate their commitment to consumers and build trust and satisfaction.
• The Refill Coalition: What is it and where next? The Refill Coalition is M&S, Morrisons, Ocado, Waitrose & Partners and the logistics company CHEP and was convened in 2020 by Unpackaged, the UK’s leading reuse and refill experts. The Refill Coalition is developing a supply chain solution (a bulk vessel) to allow bulk products to be sold both in-store, and online, in a cost-effective way. If successful, the solution could play a key role in reducing the 56.5 billion units of single-use plastic packaging sold annually in the UK.
• Does sustainability come at a cost? Net-Zero, Carbon Neutral – these are all claims or industry buzzwords used to highlight to consumers positive actions in the fight against climate change. In reality, what do they symbolise? In this session, Paul Hargreaves, CEO at Cotswold Fayre is joined by a panel of experts to analyse the importance of sustainability to consumers and the role of the supply chain to drive change. Does sustainable action drive sales or is it just the right thing to do? Or is it both?
• The next generation of manufacturing. Fresh from announcing the winners of the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards in February, Bethan Grylls sits down with some of the award winners to discuss the next generation of leaders and the businesses supporting them.
At the end of each session, there will be an opportunity for a Q&A with the panellists, allowing visitors to tap in to the speakers’ specialist knowledge and troubleshoot specific problems. What’s more, with face-to-face business back in full swing, buyers will once more have the opportunity to connect with potential suppliers and consult with packaging specialists across the show floor, to uncover solutions.
The knock-on effect of the pandemic has meant that the manufacturing sector has not been able to come together in person in five years. When it returns to the NEC in April some of the incredible developments that have been made in this specialist sector will be plain to see.
Whether you’re looking for a simple solution to an existing problem or a product at the vanguard of innovation, there’ll be an answer for you at Foodex.
The UK Food & Drink Shows are historically an event in which industry professionals can regroup, dissect problems, and share ideas. Our industry’s spirit was laid bare throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, as we face yet further challenges, I have no doubt that we will unite once again in April to prove our resilience.
