FDBusiness.com

Foodex, the UK’s premier trade event for the food and drink processing, packaging, ingredients and logistics industries, has sold out more than two months ahead of kick-off. The biennial show at the NEC, Birmingham from 18-20 April, will represent eight sectors of the industry, comprising bakery, beverage, dairy, fresh, ingredients, logistics, meat and seafood. Around 60% of 350 exhibitors at the show at the NEC in Birmingham will be new for 2016, with 40% of companies returning to the show following success at the 2014 exhibition.

The popularity of the event has grown year-on-year with the market benefiting from an upturn and its early sell-out proves that Foodex remains the UK destination to do business for exhibitors.

The UK food and drink manufacturing and processing industry is set for growth of between 3-4% in the short to medium term, while reaching a value of about £113.1 billion in 2018-2019 according to a Research and Markets report.  There are over 9500 manufacturing sites and factories in this sector, with the bakery, meat processing and dairy industry operating the largest number of processing sites.

The uplift in the sector is clear to see as Foodex, the main route to the British market in this industry, has sold out months ahead of the event. Key companies taking advantage of the opportunity for face-to-face interaction with customers this year include Reiser, Handtmann, Multivac, Brook Food Processing, Mono Equipment, Bizerba and Stephan UK.

Ann Wells, Group Marketing Director of returning exhibitor Brook Food Processing, says: “We have exhibited at Foodex (and the same renamed show in its previous formats) since 2000 and have always found it to be a good way to meet customers from the bakery sector and others face to face.”

In addition to a wealth of insight, debate and exposure to the latest innovations, visitors will be able to enjoy a host of competitions. The Great New Idea is new to the 2016 show whereby exhibitors will put forward their best innovation. Entrants will be whittled down to three through voting online ahead of the event, before judges will choose a winner during live presentations at the show.

Foodex will also once again play host to the National Meat Products and Premier Young Butcher competitions in conjunction with the National Federation for Meat & Food Traders (NFMTF). The National Meat Product Competition 2016 will also return for the sixth consecutive event for its biggest and best competition. It will feature 20 categories and will see for the first time the inclusion of charcuterie in addition to the standard favourites of sausages, bacon, burgers, ready meals and pies.

On the third and final day, visitors can enjoy the Forklift Operator of the Year competition, in association with RTITB.

Dan Dixon of Foodex says: “It is without question that Foodex is the ideal forum for the manufacturing industry to connect with new suppliers, meet new customers and discover the latest innovations across the sectors it covers. This is the biggest UK food and drink trade event of 2016 and represents a significant must attend date in the food calendar for people to come along to be educated and gain inspiration for their industry.”

Foodex 2016 is co-located with the Farm Shop & Deli Show, National Convenience Show and Food & Drink Expo. To register for free, receiving entry to all co-located shows, visit: www.foodex.co.uk.