10 Reasons to Visit Foodex – March 30th-1st April – NEC Birmingham
Registration is now open for the UK’s premier trade event for food and drink manufacturing, processing, packaging and logistics – Foodex. The show returns from March 30th-1st April at NEC Birmingham with a remit of providing 2020’s most comprehensive deep dive into the trends, products, challenges and opportunities that will set the agenda for the coming year. Visitors can go to: www.foodex.co.uk to register for their completely free badge.
Below is a tantalising glimpse of just some of the highlights that visitors can expect to see at the event.
1. Innovation, Innovation, Innovation (30th March-1st April 2020)
The Foodex show floor will be alive with over 40 brand new launches and a raft of innovative thinking, meaning visitors will get 2020’s clearest and most comprehensive snapshot of the market-at-large.
A new precision, robotic food handling system (Colin Mear Engineering Ltd – stand M161); a revolutionary high density EPP series of containers for hot or cold food items (Catering Equipment Ltd – stand T219); a user friendly Technifoamer (QJS – stand G258) and plug and play nitrogen generation system (MSS Nitrogen Limited – stand K171) are just some of the innovative new products to be featured at the show.
To see more of what is on offer ahead of Foodex 2020 and plan ahead, visitors can go to: www.foodex.co.uk, and select the ‘Innovation@’ product category, which aggregates every new launch at the show.
2. Meat the 21st Century Craft Butcher and Celebrate Young Turks (31st March and 1st April 2020)
The bright spotlight of competition is set to shine on the Foodex Competition Theatre as it plays host to one of the biggest dates in the butchery calendar – Premier Young Butcher 2020. Recognised as one of the most demanding UK butchery craft skills tests on the circuit, the competition is open to 18-28-year-old young butchers from across the UK and is sure to provide an entertaining, nerve-jangling showcase for the talents of some of the country’s finest young masters.
Held for the very first time, the Craft Butcher Awards in association with National Craft Butchers (NCB) will showcase the skills of the 21st century craft butcher in product development and innovation. Covering Barbecue, Charcuterie, Kitchen Ready, Meat in Pastry, Ready to Heat and Sausage categories, competitors will have the opportunity to demonstrate traditional skills in manufacturing as well as originality and innovation competing for Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.
3. What’s Next for Meat-Free? (2.20pm, 30th March 2020)
So that’s the meat, but what about the plant-based revolution? An expert panel will be looking ahead to debate meat’s future in light of a raft of innovative, plant-based substitutes coming to the fore over the past 12 months. Dr Michael Betz, Food Technologist for Handtmann Group will be joined by Tiia Mörsky, Ingredient Research Team Leader, Production and Processing Research Department at Campden BRI Group and Policy Director at the Sustainable Food Trust, Richard Young, in what promises to be a fascinating keynote debate, chaired by the highly respected editor of Food Manufacture, Rod Addy.
4. Industry 4.0 (30th March-1st April 2020)
It’s no exaggeration to say that manufacturing is on the cusp of a fourth industrial revolution, centred on technology, automation and sustainability. Foodex will be the place to learn more about ‘industry 4.0’ and meet the innovators – speakers and exhibitors – helping make sense of it all.
On the centre stage a fascinating look at upgrading the workforce through technology, debating if humans could be largely surplus to requirements within the next decade will take place, while a panel of experts will be asking if artificial intelligence could be the Holy Grail for forecasting.
On the show floor, dozens of companies specialising in automation and robotics are waiting to introduce Foodex visitors to seriously game changing tech.
5. The Quest for Better Bread (30th March 2020)
Also taking place on the Foodex competition theatre, the search for Britain’s Best Loaf culminates in a live judging session, followed by a glittering awards presentation. Already a key date in the baking industry calendar, the impartial stamp of excellence takes in categories including Gluten Free, Innovation, White and Wholegrain with two categories for Sourdough – Traditional and Commercial (sourdough produced by the addition of cultivated yeast and/or the addition of a commercial sourdough product) reflecting its now stratospheric popularity with British consumers.
6. The Engage Lounge (30th March-1st April 2020)
Visitors in need of brief respite from the bustling aisles of Foodex can call in at The Engage Lounge Engage Lounge, in partnership with Reconomy Group & Valpak; an interactive visitor lounge, highlighting all sectors of the industry and offering a place to meet, interact and plan the day, accessible throughout the three-days show.
7. Sustainable Soul Searching (12.40pm, 30th March 2020)
Amid the countless sustainable drives and initiatives brought about by the food and drink manufacturing, processing and packaging and logistics industry, this debate will question if it is all really enough to meet Government targets and ultimately help curb global warming. The not-to-be-missed debate will feature prominent strategists and experts in sustainable practice, offering visitors actionable, real world solutions to take back to their places of business.
8. Witness a Mayo Masterclass in VR (1.30pm, 31st March 2020)
One of the world’s leading companies in the processing, laboratory and analytical industry, IKA is partnering with sister brand realworld one, to whisk visitors off to a virtual production plant for an interactive virtual reality lesson in mayonnaise making.
The informal and fun session will present practical ways to harness virtual and augmented reality in production, which could revolutionise the way training is delivered in the manufacturing space.
9. Rethinking Waste and the Problem with the ‘P’-Word (1.30pm, 1st April 2020)
While there’s a growing awareness of the environmental impact some plastics can have when discarded irresponsibly – most notably single use variants – reducing or removing them completely can mean businesses face significant technical challenges. This keynote panel debate will explore alternative materials with practical case studies and consumer insights on attitudes to managing waste.
10. Reaction of Delegates
These delegates took a day out of their busy schedules for Foodex and couldn’t be happier that they did.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to see what other people are doing, what is out there, and these events are fantastic for getting your name out there, getting customers like ourselves to see what’s available in the market,” said lan Ellis, Engineering & Technology Director at Coca-Cola European Partners.
“Big, informative and fun,” was the reaction of Damon Buckingham, Managing Director of Buckinghams Artisan Butchery.
Ann Ruddy, Founder of Redrose Developments, commented: “I think it’s because of the variety; the fact that Foodex covers everything from fresh food to processed, to ingredients to machinery and equipment, through to factory design; it’s a one-stop shop. There’s an energy to it and everybody’s working and feeding off each other, which is great.”
Five Shows Under One Roof
The UK Food Shows unite five shows under one roof, covering the complete supply chain in three comprehensive days of insight, innovation and inspiration. Foodex joins Food & Drink Expo, The Ingredients Show, National Convenience Show and Farm Shop & Deli Show, to create an unmissable proposition for progressive food and drink professionals across the industry.
While the content of each show has been tailored to meet the exacting requirements of its respective audience, The UK Food Shows are united by four overarching themes: Health & Nutrition, Sustainability, Technology and Consumer Insight – issues faced unilaterally that will filter down into every part of the show discourse.
