Pork Farms gets Gist

Logistics company Gist has been awarded a contract by bakery manufacturer Pork Farms. Gist now collects from three UK sites Market Drayton, Shaftesbury and Nottingham equating to around 2.5 million trays a year.

Top of Mind firms

Top food executives are more optimistic about the economic health of the UK food and beverage sector than they were 12 months ago, according to Allegra Strategies’ recently launched Top of Mind 2010 report. From 311 in-depth interviews with senior executives, Pret A Manger was voted the most admired food sector brand, and Waitrose the most admired UK supermarket brand.

SMEs find tax unfair

A poll carried out by the Forum of Private Business (FPB) found that more than two-thirds of SME owners believe the tax burden placed on them is unfair and over half think the tax system favours big companies. Some 45% of respondents said their tax burden was a ’very serious’ issue for their firms.

Academy role

KeyChoc (part of Keylink) has been appointed the "official machinery partner" of the Barry Callebaut UK Chocolate Academy with immediate effect. KeyChoc will provide a range of machinery for use at the Banbury-based Academy, including melting/holding tanks, moulding machines for dark, milk and white chocolate and a Dedy praline cutter.

McVitie’s deal

Food ingredients logistics company Atchison Topeka has secured a contract with UK biscuit manufacturer, McVitie’s. The new contract involves the storage and distribution of egg powder to factories in Aintree, Halifax, Manchester and Glasgow.