PakSense, Inc., an innovator in sensory solutions for packaging, announced at the recent Produce Marketing Association’s annual Fresh Summit convention that it will release a wireless version of its award-winning temperature monitoring label in December. The PakSense Ultra Wireless Label will enable users to wirelessly download time and temperature information and analyze data before unloading a perishable product from a container. PakSense Ultra Wireless Labels are activated and applied to... ...Read more »

The UK’s leading food and consumer goods companies reported last week that an initiative to reduce the environmental impact of transporting food and groceries has removed the equivalent of 53 million journey miles from UK roads. Over the course of the last year, many household brands have been working together through IGD’s Efficient Consumer Response (ECR UK) initiative on the Sustainable Distribution project. ECR UK announced that, through measures such as sharing vehicles and more... ...Read more »

Australian independent supermarket operator Foodworks has outlined a new strategy to enhance and manage distribution of their private label offering - with the help of a logistical partnership with CEVA Logistics. The logistics group will be in charge of the supply chain and warehousing of the FoodWorks’ own house brand products, as FoodWorks embarks on a plan to improve their private label range. Foodworks, which operates over 700 supermarkets, is currently involved in a long-term supply agreement... ...Read more »

A 60,000 m2, $106 million distribution centre is set to improve the efficiency of the Tasmanian grocery sector. The project has been proposed by Statewide Independent Wholesalers, a partnership between Tasmanian Independent Retailers and Woolworths. The facility will supply the 28 Woolworths stores in the state as well as 208 independent grocers. It will replace Woolworths’ Hobart and Devonport centres and SIW’s two Launceston facilities at Prospect and Breadalbane. Michael Kent, Chairman... ...Read more »

Seventy-seven per cent of US-based retailers indicate that in 2008, they expect their use of direct store delivery processes (DSD) will increase or remain constant, representing a significant opportunity to drive sales growth, according to a study released by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). DSD, which revolves around the supplier delivering directly to the retailer, has reportedly become increasingly prevalent as focus on more demand-driven supply chains is heightened. The research,... ...Read more »

The Transport Workers Union, the leading union for truck drivers, has reported that they plan to hold demonstrations every fortnight until the major retailers respond to their requests for better pay. Hundreds of truck drivers participated in a strike at the Woolworths outlet in Rosehill last Friday morning and this followed a protest at the Woolworths store in St. Clair two weeks previously. On Friday they walked from the racecourse to the supermarket for a speech by union reps before stopping nearby... ...Read more »

The planned two-week national truck stoppage, which began at midnight, has already led to panic amongst some consumers but appears unlikely to lead to major food supply shortages. Mick Pattell, a spokesman from the National Road Transport Forum - one of the organisers of the shutdown, hopes the public gets behind truck drivers and is keen for government action. “Hopefully the government will come to the table fairly quickly and not allow this to happen to the public,” he said, according... ...Read more »

The organisers of next week’s trucking industry shutdown, which could have a significant impact on food supplies, should abandon their plans if they cannot guarantee the safety of drivers who are not involved, according to Trevor Martyn, Chairman of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA). The organisers of the shutdown have previously indicated that the two week strike could have wide-reaching implications, with the supply of food and fuel to be limited. The group, calling itself the National... ...Read more »

Truck drivers are planning a nationwide two-week strike that could limit the supply of food and fuel. Requesting better pay and conditions, the organisers, led by the Australian Long Distance Owners’ and Drivers’ Association, are asking truck drivers to strike for two weeks from July 28. One of the transport company owners, Peter Schuback of Queensland’s Hervey Bay, said that the stoppage would highlight the impact the economy would be subjected to if the industry was to... ...Read more »

Forty UK food and drink companies yesterday pledged to make fewer and friendlier food transport miles, signing up to the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) Environmental Checklist and Clause for Greener Food Transport. The FDF believe this is yet another step forward by the food and drink manufacturing industry towards making a real difference to the environment. The signatories, including some of the biggest household brands in the world, have committed to using the ten point checklist in order... ...Read more »