PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division will begin rolling out fully-electric delivery trucks in New York. The company plans to deploy 21 electric trucks this year and projects it will roll out 155 more trucks in 2011, making it the largest commercial fleet of all-electric trucks in North America. The trucks have been designed by Smith Electric Vehicles to generate zero tailpipe emissions and operate for up to 100 miles on a single charge. “Frito-Lay has implemented bold goals for... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest soft drink manufacturer has been awarded the prestigious Manufacturing Logistics Award at the Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia’s recent national awards ceremony in Melbourne. The award recognises the achievements of Coca-Cola Amatil’s supply chain remodelling program ‘Project Jupiter’, which the company says has “substantially improved order fulfilment efficiency, reduced distribution and transport costs, and cut greenhouse... ...Read more »

Food and beverage firm National Foods has signed one of the largest logistics contracts in the Australian food and beverage sector. The owner of the Dairy Farmers, Yoplait, and Pura brands announced the deal with Linfox Logistics yesterday, which will see Linfox manage the majority of their Australian national distribution for the next ten years. “Worth up to $2 Billion in revenue over ten years, this is one of the largest single contracts in the Linfox Logistics portfolio and in the Australian... ...Read more »

The retail and wholesale distribution industry could save £6.1 billion (A$12.26b) a year by agreeing “better” more “mutually beneficial” supplier-buyer deals, new research has claimed.According to retail consultancy, The Gap Partnership, and independent economists, the Centre for Economic and Business Research, both suppliers and retailers could improve their business performances, productivity and profitability by “thinking creatively” about the terms of contract... ...Read more »

Less than one in ten adults in Victoria reaches the recommended daily intake of vegetables, a statistic that VicHealth is hoping to change with new research programs into the state’s food supply. The funding for research into Victoria’s food supply is part of a package of new projects to tackle some of the key health issues facing the state. “These research grants focus on the big drivers of poor health including alcohol, physical inactivity, discrimination, violence, health inequalities,... ...Read more »

The Distributors – Australian wholesalers specialising in confectionary and snackfoods, has secured a contract with Mobil, giving the company exclusive confectionary distribution rights to 460 Mobil stores nationwide. The company, which has grown to 42 warehouses across Australia, outrivalled two confectionary competitors. “Working closely with one supplier on a national basis will give us a more efficient model to deliver NPD, promotional activity, and product allocations. The agreement... ...Read more »

Leading representatives from the European food chain and the European Commission have joined forces to launch the European Food Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Round Table. “There is only one planet. We must use our resources wisely, also for the sake of consumers and businesses,” Jean Martin, President of the Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA), said at the launch. “It is imperative to develop sound methodologies to fight consumer confusion.” The... ...Read more »

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) this week outlined the preparation that the food and grocery industry has undertaken to be prepared for any natural disaster or other crisis. Over the past three years, the Australian food and grocery industry and a planning team under RAWG (Retail Industry Working Group) whose membership includes AFGC’s major suppliers, major retailers and government, has been working to prepare for the impact that any crisis might have on the supply of essential... ...Read more »

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has now distanced herself from advice suggesting Queenslanders stockpile food in preparation for a possible outbreak of swine flu. Dr Jeannette Young told ABC Radio on Friday that it could be a good idea to purchase more frozen and tinned food, but over the weekend fell in line with the prevailing Federal Government view that stockpiling is unnecessary and will cause needless panic. “Queenslanders do not need to stockpile food at the present time,”... ...Read more »

Queensland residents have been urged to stockpile food in their homes in case swine flu hits Australian shores, despite the Federal Government dismissing the need for such actions. There are yet to be any confirmed cases of swine flu in Australia and the reported slowdown in the number of suspected deaths* (currently around 168, with all bar one in Mexico) has a number of experts suggesting that the outbreak is not as serious as the media has made out, given 36,000 people die each year from typical... ...Read more »