Outsourcing Sector Supports UK Frozen Food Boom
Third party outsourcing is playing a critical role in supporting the continuing growth of the UK frozen food industry , according to the BCMPA , the Association for Contract Manufacturing , Packing , Fulfilment & Logistics .
The BCMPA says many of its members are investing in facilities and technologies for manufacturing , storage and distribution to help brand owners maximise opportunities with greater supply chain flexibility and resilience .
“ Frozen food is undoubtedly one of the success stories of recent years , and the retail value of the market has increased by 50 per cent over the past decade ,” said BCMPA CEO Emma Verkaik .
“ With on-going cost of living pressures , frozen foods are popular for their value for money positioning , but for brands to deliver this value effectively , it is essential that all areas of their operation from manufacturing to distribution operate as efficiently as possible . This is where local outsourcing
52 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk specialists can help , focusing wholly on day-to-day operational issues to enable businesses to concentrate on brand building and sales .”
One recent investment example is cold storage specialist Magnavale , who is currently completing the construction of a new cold store at its premises in Easton , Lincolnshire . The temperature-controlled facility offers multiple pallet ingress and egress points , and has been engineered to prevent bottlenecks , ensuring seamless operations at all times , including peak periods such as Christmas .
Technological advances , such as IoT integration , GPS tracking , and temperature monitoring systems will also play an important role in driving operational efficiencies . Among the BCMPA ’ s global logistics members , industry leaders are leveraging innovative technologies to deliver advanced visibility and precise control . These capabilities enable comprehensive tracking across various stages , including inventory management , order fulfilment , recalls , code tracking , mixing , packaging , and manufacturing support .
In addition to frozen foods ’ value for money positioning , consumers are being attracted by the increasing choice of products . This includes the introduction of more vegetarian and plant-based products to meet the growing demand for healthier options . Rapid freezing technology offers an important benefit here , ensuring all key nutrients remain in the product .
“ An outsourcing specialist can be the perfect partner to any size of frozen food business , from start-ups to established brands ,” said Emma Verkaik . “ As consumers increasingly seek quick and convenient meal solutions , the rising demand for frozen food options allows BCMPA members to effectively support brands with reliable and experienced suppliers for their frozen food logistics requirements .”
www . bcmpa . org . uk