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    The engineering sector is changing at a rapid rate. In their annual State of Engineering report, EngineeringUK outlined some of the key figures, frontiers and challenges that the industry is dealing with. As technology, automation, and an increased demand for skills drive the sector forward, a shortfall of trained graduates and technicians threatens to hold it back.

    We take a look at some of the challenges the engineering industry is facing, as well as how these relate to automation, particularly in the food and fresh produce sector. We also explain how we’re striving to meet engineering recruitment needs.

    Challenges in the Engineering Sector

    The UK government promised that 2018 would be the ‘year of engineering’. Their aim with this incentive is to address the skills gap in the profession. By raising awareness in schools, they hope to inspire future generations of engineers. For now, there remains an annual shortfall of around 59,000 skilled graduates and technicians in core industry roles.

    Even big businesses are struggling to find enough people to fill their vacancies, and are instead trying to develop a pipeline for talent themselves. This approach may not be practical for smaller companies, who are crying out for skilled engineers.

    This shortfall in personnel is driven in part by the increase in artificial intelligence and automation. These systems have the potential to change the industry. However, there appears to be a disconnect between the technology and those who are proficient in it.

    Automation in the Food Industry

    One sector of engineering that is seeing rapid changes is that of food and fresh produce. New technology is making food production easier and more efficient. Machines such as Sweeper pepper harvesting robot are changing the way we manage fresh products. This system brings a high amount of automation to a process that is usually decidedly labour-intensive.

    Another such system is the Cityblooms Modular Farming System. This data-driven service gives growers an integrated technology for optimising conditions for their produce. With a sophisticated and automated management system at its heart, the types of roles needed to maintain it are highly technical.

    Although the impacts of AI and automated robots to the labour market are debatable, one thing is certain; there will be a growing need for skilled engineers to programme and maintain them. Estimates suggest that by 2024, around 203,000 people with sufficient skills will be needed to meet the expected demand across the entire engineering industry.

    Meeting the Engineering Recruitment Needs

    As the need for skilled professionals increases, so will the challenge of recruiting and placing them. At Henderson Brown, we’re making strides to meet these needs. Our job search tool allows qualified individuals to find the vacancies that match their skill sets, while we offer our clients the chance to locate those much-needed personnel.

    We’re constantly keeping on top of industry trends and news so that we can assess demands and gaps in the market. We work hard to find the right people to fill these roles, across a broad range of specialist sectors. Contact us today to find out how we can help you meet your recruitment needs.

    Engineering, Automation, and the Food Industry

    “Jacks” of all trade…. Master of the discount one?

    This week saw Tesco launch their new branded retail business “Jacks” to compete with the discounters and regain momentum in the retail war. Wednesday saw the unveiling of the brand by CEO Dave Lewis, which has been a close kept secret by employees and suppliers a like. The first 2 stores in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire opened their doors to the public with plans for further launches, 10-15 stores across the UK in the next year.

    The rumour mill had been running for months with people wondering whether Tesco’s own label brands Rosedene, Boswell or Willow farms would appear in the new store formats, but after the launch it was clear that Jack’s was going to kept very separate. 1,800 of the 2,600 SKUs in store are branded Jack’s products with the other 800being well known brands.

     

    The store format is fresh, simple and minimal SKU’s as expected. You could be mistaken for walking into an ALDI that had applied Jack’s branded stickers everywhere. Similar to other discounters they have a “WIGIG” (When its Gone its Gone) aisle, stacked high with various items people buy that they don’t actually need.But the one focus and USP they have over the other discount retailers is, as Dave Lewis has put it, “Britishness”. 8 out of 10 products are British and support UK farming and manufacturing and it’s a British retailer.

    Jacks is being targeted, and quite rightly, at the “price sensitive customers” with store locations carefully selected in poorer populated areas. They have made a statement to be the “cheapest in town” and their price points are very competitive, what will be the response on price by ALDI and LIDL? Let’s be honest prices are at rock bottom already in the discount stores there isn’t anywhere to go! Low operating costs and deals agreed with suppliers have allowed Jacks to get straight into the discount heavyweight ring. An agreement is also in place that products aren’t sold to Jacks at a lower value than they are Tesco, its saved in supply costs such as packaging.

    Wage’s will also be less that Tesco employees in Jack’s stores, different working conditions and lower prices mean staff won’t have access to the Tesco’s benefits packages.

    The concept and idea isn’t new, they aren’t revolutionising the wheel but what they are doing is trying to take back slice of the pie. UK retail has changed and Tesco are on board. If you want my honest opinion, I was a little disappointed going around, there wasn’t anything that made me think, that’s clever or that’s new. It’s just an ALDI or LIDL with new branding. I know that’s just what Tesco want but I was hoping for a little innovative thinking. Do I think it will work? Yes, I do, but I don’t see Aldi or Lidl shaking in their boots.

    Jason Kilbride

    Recruitment Director at Henderson Brown

     

     

     

    “Jacks” of all trade…. Master of the discount one?

    Henderson Brown Golf Day 2018

    Another fantastic event held at Luffenham Heath Golf Club, supporting our charity of the year The Green Backyard. Well attended with figures from across the Food Manufacturing, Fresh Produce and Horticulture sectors, the weather was glorious and although the golf was challenging, all had a thoroughly enjoyable day. Thank you to all of our attendees for their continued support.

    Our winner was Steve Rudge; after plenty of practice in the UAE over the last year he held of competition from last years winner Jason Smith. Both definitely marked for a handicap cut next time around! We look forward to seeing you all again next year.

    Overall Winner: Steve Rudge

    Runner Up: Jason Smith

    3rd Place: Andy Coaten

    Nearest The Pin: Steve Maxwell

    Longest Drive: Peter Ellis

    Winning Team: Steve Rudge and Peter Fry

     

     

    Henderson Brown Golf Day 2018

    Avocados will now join bananas in the range, which it is hoped will be taken up a level by the new man in charge of Mack Wholesale Ltd.

    Mack is celebrating a decade of successful years for its Mack Premium brand with a fresh design and new product launch.

    Mack Premium bananas have now been a familiar product on the wholesale scene for a decade, and they will now be joined by an avocado range.

    And stylish new boxes are designed to stand out from the crowd.

    A Mack spokesperson told FPJ that a loyal customer base in the wholesale markets has helped the sales desk at Mack International build volumes to the point where Mack Premium now outsells almost all other brands – with volumes set to grow much further in 2016 thanks to a renewed focus on the brand and to greater investment in marketing support.

    Mack International brand manager, Gary Canning, said: “The Mack name is well known at wholesale, standing for quality, value and trust. We’re hugely proud of the growth in the Mack Premium Banana brand, and we’re approaching the launch of this new look with renewed energy and excitement. There’s a programme of investment in promotions with our customers through the year in support of the brand’s sustainable growth.”

    The new avocado launch has generated significant interest in the markets, Canning added: “The recent sales performance for avocados is very impressive, with sales volume increasing by 41 per cent in the last year (Kantar Worldpanel, 52 weeks to 3 January 2016).”

    Steer the company into the next decade of trade will be Charles Rees, the new man at the helm of Mack Wholesale.

    He joins the Fresca Group company from his previous role as managing director at Vitacress Sales, a company with whom he spent 21 years.

    He’s looking to drive sales and performance in the competitive top tier with the Mack Premium brand. Rees said: “Our sales teams are truly proud to sell products bearing the Mack name. We have ambitious targets for brand growth this year, developing our customer base and delivering greater volumes for our growers. The future for Mack Premium looks as bright as our new boxes.”

    New product and design for Mack Premium brand

    Lytham Foods has recalled Taylors of Lytham Chicken Tikka Sandwiches due to the potential threat of salmonella. 

    The possible presence is in the tikka powder ingredient, supplied my Catermix which, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), was manufactured in unhygienic conditions and failed to comply with the food hygiene regulations. 

    “Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores selling these products,” said a statement published on the FSA’s website. 

    “These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.”  

    The FSA advised consumers who have bought the product not to eat it, but to instead return it to the store where it was purchased for a full refund. 

    Taylors of Lytham’s website claimed that its sandwiches were made using only high-quality ingredients. Lytham Foods’ products are supplied to a number of UK retailers and airlines, as well as foodservice and catering establishments. 

    This recall follows Easy Eats UK withdrawing chicken tikka products due to similar concerns. 

    Chicken tikka sandwiches recalled

    French importer expands presence in Central and Eastern Europe with new facility close to Hungarian capital

    French tropical fruit importer Compagnie Fruitière has opened a new Hungarian subsidiary to expand its presence in Central and Eastern Europe.

    Compagnie Fruitière Hungary will now market all products in the region, previously distributed through local partners.

    The company will now use its own ripening facility to develop its distribution network, located on near major roads and on an industrial estate close to Budapest.

    It is equipped with the latest ripening technology, with 12 two-tier ripening rooms, each holding 24 pallets and with a ripening capacity of 20,000 boxes a week. The facility is IFS-certified (International Food Standard).

    Compagnie Fruitière opens Hungarian subsidiary

    Tesco has been given a month to improve how it treats suppliers following an investigation by the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA)

    The GCA was concerned about three key issues: Tesco making unilateral deductions from suppliers, the length of time taken to pay money due to suppliers and, in some cases, an intentional delay in paying suppliers. 

    Over the course of her investigation, adjudicator Christine Tacon found delay in payments arising from data input errors, duplicate invoicing, reductions to maintain Tesco margin, as well as unilateral deductions resulting from forensic auditing, short deliveries and service level charges. 

    She said: “The sums were often significant and the length of time taken to repay them was too long. One supplier was owed a multi-million-pound sum as a result of price changes being incorrectly applied to Tesco systems over a long period. This was eventually paid back by Tesco more than two years after the incorrect charging had begun.” 

    Tacon advised Tesco to “hold off” making unilateral decisions from money owned for goods supplied, to give suppliers 30 days to challenge any proposed deductions and that the retailer correct any pricing errors within seven days of notification. 

    Tesco has been given four weeks to say how it plans to implement recommendations by the GCA, with regular reports demanded on its progress.

    Concerns were also raised over payments for better positioning on the retailer’s shelves. Although no evidence of direct payments were found, Tacon is to launch a consultation into indirect methods of obtaining better positioning. “I am concerned that, as a result of these practices, the purpose of the Code may be circumvented to the detriment of smaller suppliers who cannot compete with payments for better positioning, category captaincy or to participate in range reviews,” said Tacon. “I have decided to launch a formal consultation with the sector, involving both retailers and suppliers, to help me reach a firm conclusion on whether these practices are acceptable.” 

    Dave Lewis, Tesco group chief executive officer, said: “In 2014 we undertook our own review into certain historic practices, which were both unsustainable and harmful to our suppliers. We shared these practices with the Adjudicator, and publicly apologised. I would like to apologise again. We are sorry. 

    “I am grateful to the Adjudicator for the professional manner in which the investigation has been conducted. We accept the report’s findings, which are consistent with our own investigation. 

    “Over the last year we have worked hard to make Tesco a very different company from the one described in the GCA report. The absolute focus on operating margin had damaging consequences for the business and our relationship with suppliers. This has now been fundamentally changed. 

    “In January 2015, we made material changes to our business that addressed the majority of the historic practices referred to in the report. We have changed the way we work by reorganising, refocusing and retraining our teams and we will continue to work in a way which is consistent with the recommendations.” 

    Tesco given supplier deadline by GCA

    Leading CEOs and ministers from around the world have become ‘champions’ of new partnership on food waste

    Tesco chief executive has been named as chair of a new high-profile global campaign to reduce food waste.

    The movement, named Champions 12.3, was unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week and aims to “mobilise global action” to halve per capita food waste.

    Alongside Lewis, it has been signed by 30 chief executives, government ministers and other leaders, including USDA secretary Tom Vilsack, Nestle chief executive Paul Bulcke, Unliver chief executive Paul Polman and president of The Rockefeller Foundation, Judith Rodin.

    Countries that have signed up include Vietnam, the Netherlands, South Africa and Denmark.

    The list of ‘champions’ will inspire action by leading by example on how to reduce food loss and waste, motivating others, advocating for more innovation to reduce food waste, and communicating the importance of waste reduction.

    “Reducing food loss and waste is a significant global challenge and it’s very important that business plays its part,” said Lewis. “At Tesco, we’re committed to tackling food waste not only in our own operations but also through strong and effective partnerships with our suppliers and by helping our customers reduce waste and save money. This is an opportunity for businesses to work together and make a real difference to Target 12.3.”

    Eva Kjer Hansen, minister of environment and food, Denmark, said: “Food loss and waste is a huge challenge for global food security, human livelihoods and the conservation of the environment that calls for global responses and individual action. And Denmark is ready to take its share and to engage in a new solution based global partnership.

    “One of the initiatives we have launched in Denmark is a national partnership for reduction of avoidable food waste, which will foster voluntary and binding collaboration between all links in the food chain and relevant authorities and organizations, as solutions and barriers should be addressed across all stakeholders.”

    Vice minister for agriculture from the Netherlands, Hans Hoogeveen, said: “Food that is ultimately lost or wasted consumes about a quarter of all water used by agriculture, requires cropland area the size of China, and is responsible for an estimated eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.”

    While Andrew Steer of the World Resources Institute said the champions “have the power to convert momentum into a global movement”.

    The announcement was made alongside the launch of The Rockefeller Foundation’s new seven-year YieldWise initiative, which aims to cut post-harvest losses in fruits, vegetables, and other staple crops in African countries such as: Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

    Dave Lewis to chair new global food waste campaign

    Neil Sanderson is leaving the food industry and will be replaced by Floreale Operations Director, Doug Robertson

    Florette UK and Ireland managing director Neil Sanderson is leaving the business to pursue a career outside of the food industry and will be replaced by Floreale operations director Doug Robertson.

    Sanderson, who has been with Florette for five years, will take up the role of director of the York Minster Fund – a body established in the late 1960s in order to raise money for the great work of restoration when the Central Tower was in danger of collapse.

    Robertson has worked across the European fresh produce industry with roles at Asda, Geest and Bakkavor, in operations, procurement and general management.

    He joined the vegetable division of Florette parent company Agrial to become general manager of Florette Murcia, following the acquisition of the French and Spanish businesses of Bakkavor. For the last three years he has been operations director for the division.

    His replacement will be named in the next few weeks.

    “The company wish to thank Neil for his contribution to the company over the last five years,” a statement from Florette said.

    “We are also delighted to announce that Doug Robertson will be moving from his role in the Floreale central team as operations director to replace Neil in the role of MD Florette UK and Ireland.”

    Sanderson is due to stay with the business during the transition period to help complete a series of projects.

    Florette MD steps down after five years
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