Foodservice sector gets together for supply chain efficiency
Australasia’s foodservice players have joined together to improve supply chain processes and standards and are calling on industry participants to get actively involved.
Key suppliers, manufacturers and distributors from the foodservice sector have formed the GS1 Australasian Foodservice Industry Steering Group (FISG), with the aim to drive improvements in cost efficiencies, methodologies and traceability in the foodservice supply chain.
FISG members include PFD Food Services, GS1 Australia, McCain, Bidvest, Snap Fresh, NAFDA, Food SA, Countrywide Australasia, Simplot, Foodservice Suppliers Association of Australia, National Foods and Nestlé Australia. Mr Mandeep Sodhi, B2B and supply chain technology Manager for Nestlé, has been formally appointed to the role of chairman of the FISG.
GS1 Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that brings industry communities together to solve supply chain challenges and improve efficiencies through the voluntary adoption and implementation of GS1 Standards, including product identification, tracking and data sharing. More than 16,000 businesses across a wide range of industries rely on GS1 Australia for maximizing the efficiency, visibility and security of their business processes.
Ms Maria Palazzolo, CEO of GS1 Australia, said forming the FISG is a momentous step forward for the foodservice sector.
“The business of food is changing fast. There are many cost reductions, efficiency gains and improved traceability available to foodservice businesses through widespread usage of the GS1 system and supply chain best practice,” said Ms Palazzolo.
“With the industry working together, these standards will drive measurable improvements in efficiency, product information, and safety for foodservice businesses individually and the industry as a whole.”
Mr Sodhi said that the adoption of GS1 standards is going to dramatically change the foodservice industry for the better.
“Without these standards, our transactional systems and product information differ all across the board. The grocery and retail industries have been successfully using a standardized product identification and data sharing system for years. Now it’s the turn of the foodservice industry,” said Mr Sodhi.
“This is an exciting initiative for the foodservice sector. We look forward to working together with fellow members of the foodservice industry in order to make the supply chain more efficient and visible.”
The FISG has set up two working groups to deliver results to all participants: Numbering & Bar Coding and eCom. Richard Cohen, CIO of PFD Food Services, was elected as head of the eCom working group. Steve Johnson, IT project manager at Bidvest, also joined the eCom working group The FISG will also focus on traceability for the foodservice industry.
The FISG invites fellow industry professionals to join the steering group. If you are interested in learning more or to join, contact Mandeep Sodhi via email, mandeep.sodhi@au.nestle.com.
The GS1 Australia Foodservice eCom and numbering & bar coding guidelines can be found on the GS1 Australia website – www.gs1au.org.
Source: Transport & Logisics News
