The BFBi (Brewing, Food and Beverage Industry Suppliers' Association) was formed in 1907, in anticipation of potentially restrictive Government legislation, as the Allied Brewery Trade Association.
By Ruth Evans
Since its formation, the BFBi has continued to provide an invaluable link between the trades and services supplying the Brewing, Food and Beverage Industry.
Today, the Association's strength and depth of membership expertise continues to help manage opportunities and challenges, with a common goal of service and innovation to the food & beverage industry.
Representing an entire value chain – from grain to glass / barley to bread — gives us a unique insight into the effects actions can have at various pressure points within the supply chain.
We believe that it is in the industry’s interests to maintain, through communication and strong working relationships, a vibrant supply chain — a role that the Association takes very seriously indeed and is striving to develop within the wider food and drink industry.
As a not for profit organisation, all income is for the benefit of members via the improvement of services, provision of information, grants and facilitation/promotion of training (grant funded wherever possible).
BFBi ensures, through its membership, the Annual Directory and website, that UK food and beverage manufacturers may source quality, pertinent products as well as technical support, advice and information.
The range of social and professional networking functions organised throughout the UK via BFBi’s Section Committees and Head Office ensure that companies gain the diverse network of contacts necessary to facilitate commercial success.
Through the wide range of industry technical committees, the Association represents a diverse range of sectors at a technical level, ensuring best practice.
Global contacts
With Embassy contacts around the world, access to market information and provision of organisational help at a number of exhibitions around the world, we are able to help suppliers and manufacturers within the food & drink sector with their export strategy.
BFBi’s sister company, BTS, owns the Brewing Industry International Awards, last held in Munich 2005. The competitions are known as the Brewing Oscars, are peer judged by 30 internationally renowned manufacturers, and known as the most difficult awards to win and thus the most prestigious.
The competitions will be next held in March 2010 and further information can be found on www.brewingawards.org.
“Ahead of the Curve”
In partnership with the Institute of Brewing & Distilling, BFBi is in the throes of organising the second International Brewing Convention, to be held in Manchester, 18th – 20th October 2010.
The theme of the Convention is “Ahead of the Curve” and will deliver strategies to deliver and secure value creation in a changing consumer landscape, featuring a full forward looking and innovative conference programme and a concurrent exhibition, featuring suppliers supporting the entire brewing value chain, from raw materials to dispense and supply chain. BFBi members will receive discounted stand prices.
Sustainable supply
Being a trade association that represents the entire supply chain to an industry provides us an insightful overview as well as a number of challenges. Issues facing the raw materials sector are very different to those facing our dispense manufacturers and installers. However, there is one issue common to all sectors, sustainability of the supply chain.
So often we hear the lament that manufacturers feel they can no longer network, communicate between themselves or even discuss issues, which affect their economic sustainability. Profit margins are so slim that any energy within the supply chain is taken up with survival rather than innovation and growth. Members comment that, increasingly, they are no longer able to promote their products to customers on a face-to-face basis. How can anyone display the passion for a product via e-trading?
It could be proposed that the lack of personal contact and lack of passion within the wider food and drinks industry, has resulted in its divisive nature and is apparent in the narrowing of the supply chain – the lack of communication and understanding throughout the chain from retailer to manufacturer and on to supplier has enabled profit margins to be driven to unsustainable levels.
But, just think what could be achieved, if we combined the knowledge and ability available within the food and drink industry.
The voice of industry
The strength of BFBi is our ability to act for, and on behalf of our Members; to influence and inform to the mutual benefit of all who supply the Brewing, Food and Beverage Industry
We strongly believe that if we can endorse best practice and quality of product to our members then the end product will be the better for it. As the move towards horizontal integration increases, so does the need for an integrated approach to the industry. Combining forces to form a cohesive approach, throughout the entire supply chain, can only increasing the strength and effectiveness of our message.
For further information about our professional seminars; social events; Export Club; trade committees; marketing opportunities via our website, Directory or industry newsletter please contact us on info@bfbi.org.uk or telephone 01902 422303.
Click Here to read the full Corporate Profile on Brewing, Food and Beverage Industry Suppliers’ Association – June 2009