Trade Association Update: April
Read how the Food and Drink Federation is leading the sector in green innovation.
UK food and drink manufacturers have a good reputation as global leaders in innovation.
In 2020, the sector’s procurement of robots increased by more than a third and nearly £800m invested in research & development, and software. But rising costs, labour shortages and stretched supply chains are putting increased pressures on businesses seeking to make long-term investments.
Using new and existing technologies is key for food and drink businesses to overcome these challenges and to increase productivity, reduce waste and improve sustainability. These technologies can also create new, high skilled green jobs across regions, and support the FDF’s ambition for the sector to be net zero by 2040.
Food and Drink Federation recently launched their Innovation Gateway.
The Food and Drink Innovation Gateway is a unique collaboration that makes it easier for food and drink companies in England, Scotland and Wales to adopt cutting edge technology and grow their business. This online portal offers a simple way for businesses to connect with the UK's world-leading experts on automation and digital technologies, accessing the breadth of excellent support from the UK’s Catapult Network and universities. A short online questionnaire, followed by a discussion with an expert, and the business is matched with the organisation best placed to offer support on the challenges raised.
From free line walks, process mapping and project planning to match funding – food and drink business will get the support needed to identify and adopt the technologies that will enable them to be more productive, resilient, and sustainable. Currently for members only, the FDF is working towards rolling it out across industry later this year.
The Food and Drink Innovation Gateway is a collaborative project led by the FDF and includes the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), AMRC Cymru, Interface - The knowledge connection for business, Digital Catapult, University of Lincoln (Nation Centre for Food Manufacturing), Sheffield Hallam University (National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering), and Cranfield University.
For further details, contact Mark Corbett, Innovation and Skills Policy Manager, FDF.
The CBI is launching a new campaign – ‘Be More Green’ to showcase how innovation can help businesses achieve their decarbonisation and wider sustainability and environmental objectives.
The Food and Drink Federation’s Innovation Gateway is a great practical case study as to how sector leaders can mobilise their resources and provide tools for their members to help them on their innovative Net Zero journey. As part of the new CBI ‘Be More Green’ campaign, we are keen to showcase more of these practical, tangible examples of how trade associations and businesses are already innovating to decarbonise and become more sustainable.
We are looking for examples from any size of TA/business, in any sector and geography – this can be innovations in products, processes or throughout your whole business model.
If you or your members want to showcase how innovation is helping achieve net zero objectives, please reach out to Charlotte.
In other news this month
CBI Skills and Workforce session
In March we held our session on influencing the future skills system, working collaboratively with the CBI Skills and Changing Workforce team as this is a crucial time as the government redesigns the skills system.
Some key takeaways from the session below:
- Cross government co-ordination needed for TA’s to engage – CBI to emphasise the importance of member associations to good policy making. Associations are being asked for data heavy insight within short deadlines, same information being requested by different departments, no clarity where the insight is going and how it is being used. This is making some firms hesitant to keep providing insight.
- Feedback to the government that awareness of LSIPs was very low.
- Levy – still high on the agenda and being referenced in spring statement submissions. CBI members ask for flexibility in criteria.
Read the recent Skills and Changing Workforce Policy Briefing.
We are looking to create a network between our member associations who are leading the work on the skills agenda, and who can remain connected throughout the year. If you would like to join this network please reach out to Henry or Talisha.
Trade Association Advocacy in Action
The UK removed ‘crippling’ tariffs on US bourbon imports. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association welcomed the news, saying it would provide great encouragement to UK spirits importers, and be a significant boost to the UK hospitality industry as it recovers from the pandemic.
UK Steel welcomes deal on Section 232 and UK steel safeguarding review.
The Advertising Association has been using its close association with the UK government to work out how to best respond to events in Ukraine and help ad talent from the country.
UKHospitality, the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and Hospitality Ulster found soaring energy bills are forcing hospitality businesses to raise prices and cut opening hours.
The Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) has called for a wider adoption of heat networks and expansion of energy efficiency technologies.
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has asked the government to re-consider its plans to change the taxation system on alcohol, tax reforms are too complicated and unfair.
Complimentary tickets to the CBI's Achieving Net Zero conference
A reminder that members get unlimited complimentary tickets to attend the CBI's Achieving Net Zero conference, taking place on 7 - 8 June 2022 at the Science Museum in London.
Following COP26, the context for decarbonisation has changed dramatically. Amidst a global energy crisis and geopolitical turmoil, businesses must still lead the UK's transition to net zero. Join us to gain insights on how the UK's net zero strategy must adapt in the current global economic context, hear practical advice from decarbonisation experts, and contribute to the network of company leaders, policy makers and change makers who will make it happen.
Your ticket gives you and your team full access to the conference programme. To explore the programme, and view the speaker line-up, please click here.
We are also pleased to let you know that complimentary full access tickets are available to your members. If you would like to promote this event to them, please get in touch with my colleague Amy Smith who can provide further information.
