Food and Drink Logistics

William Reed Business Media's decision to launch a specialist Food & Drink Logistics Show to run alongside its set of market-leading trade shows taking place at Birmingham's NEC from 21-24 March 2010 was obviously right on target.

The response of exhibitors has been outstanding and enthusiastic. Organisations such as Cert Octavian, CEVA, Culina Logistics, DB Schenker and Norbert Dentressangle, together with companies like LXE UK, Paragon Software Group, and Toyota Material Handling UK are among the many well-known names in the world of logistics that will be exhibiting. They recognise that the Food & Drink Logistics Show provides a unique and dedicated platform for suppliers to showcase their products to top-level decision makers from the food and drink sectors.

Live events will also be a major feature. Presentations in the Business Briefing Theatre will have a strong case study element and will be themed around the three critical areas of sustainability, food safety and security, and innovation. For example, visitors on Monday will hear how competitors Nestlé and United Biscuits took an innovative approach to transport collaboration to deliver cost and service benefits. Richard Hastings from Nestlé and Rob Wright from United Biscuits will describe how they undertook a change programme that worked.

Innovation is evidently needed in food and drink industry data management. A recent major report from GS1 highlighted the impact of bad data on profits and consumer service in the UK grocery industry - one eye-watering statistic was that over the next five years UK retailers and suppliers will experience over £700 million profit erosion and £300 million in lost sales. So visitors on Tuesday can hear Ceri Christensen Jones and David Weatherby from GS1 explain how to achieve successful upstream supply chain integration.

The Business Briefing Theatre will also have its lighter moments. On Monday Steve Agg, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, will talk about his early career and experiences in the food industry before he then discusses the serious matter of the skills now required for the demanding world of food and drink logistics.

The other live events will centre on the Showroom and The Hub. The Showroom is an exciting new area that provides a unique opportunity to see the latest innovations in vehicles and handling equipment. The Hub is a central networking area allowing exhibitors and visitors alike to share current experience and knowledge and to explore opportunities for collaboration.

The Food & Drink Logistics Show will be co-located with Foodex, Baking Industry Exhibition, Food & Drink Expo, Convenience Retailing Show, Café+@CRS, Off Licence Show and IFFE to give visitors a complete overview of the food and drink supply chain under one roof.