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 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."

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