South East

.: Best Practice in the Top Fruit Sector - Peter Hall (Case Study)

Peter Hall grows and packs top fruit in Kent. His group, 'Checkers 83'’ is among the first wave of 6 groups from the top fruit sector using Hortbench – a benchmarking and best practice tool – to improve their performance.

Business areas:	Business Clubs	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Benchmarking Highlights Change - David Ashcroft (Case Study)

Hampshire beef producer David Ashcroft knows that his pedigree South Devons and their crosses are making a loss. Every area of cost on this beef dependant unit at Oak Tree Farm, Selbourne is now under close scrutiny, thanks to the formation of a Red Meat Industry Forum (RMIF) business club in his area.

Business areas:	Business Clubs	Sector:	Red Meat	Region:	n/a

.: Benchmarking Through Business Clubs - David and Jane Horner (Case Study)

David and Jane Homer, dairy farmers near Savernake, Wiltshire are winners of the Crown Estate Farmer of the Year Award for 2002 and enthusiasts of benchmarking. Theirs is a dedicated dairy farm comprising 280 acres and a 140 strong dairy herd.

Business areas:	Business Clubs	Sector:	Dairy	Region:	n/a

.: The Perfect Steak Encounter (Case Study)

In the restaurant business, steak is a flagship product. Always popular, whatever the latest food fashions, a consistently good steak creates satisfied customers and repeat visitors.

When Whitbread and Chitty began working together, they set out to develop a 'Farm to Fork' policy for their imported as well as British beef.

Business areas:	Collaboration	Sector:	Red Meat	Region:	n/a

.: Strengthening Links in the Top Fruit Industry (Case Study)

Since 2002 the proportion of UK produced Royal Gala apples sold in Marks & Spencer has increased from 40% to 80%. This success has been achieved because Marks & Spencer has developed a strong collaborative partnership with its apple supplier, Worldwide Fruit and their growers.

Business areas:	Collaboration	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Adapting to Changing Markets - Fourayes Farm and Bennett Opie (Case Study)

Fourayes Farms and Bennett Opie are both long – standing separate businesses but whose paths have come together recently to produce Apple Sauce made from organic Kentish Bramley apples.

This is proving to be a productive partnership that is working because, over the years, both businesses have developed a set of practices that have enabled them to see the benefits from collaboration.

Business areas:	Collaboration	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Implanting Collaboration in the Soft Fruit Sector (Case Study)

It was Wimbledon fortnight. Store shelves were bulging with strawberries. The only thing missing was the sun, as a trough of cool and cloudy weather blocked out the expected blue skies. And for Sainsbury’s and KG Fruits that meant a high wastage bill as shoppers shunned the traditional June fruit.....

Business areas:	Collaboration	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Driving the Salad Supply Chain (Case Study)

Stubbins are a major salad producer and have recently been appointed ‘drive supplier’ for Somerfield responsible for managing the salad category. This is an important collaborative venture for Stubbins that brings with it valuable advantages.

Business areas:	Collaboration	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Matchmaker and Gamekeeper (Case Study)

Following a successful trial selling products from local farmers and food producers at its Hawkhurst store in Kent, Budgens developed a partnership between A Taste of Sussex to supply its Sussex stores with locally produced products.

Business areas:	Collaboration	Sector:	n/a	Region:	n/a

.: An Apple a Day - School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme (Case Study)

It is a challenge to deliver apples to the 16,000 schools that have signed up to the Government-funded School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme and one that requires strong co-ordination and efficient supply chain management.

Business areas:	Collaboration	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Increasing Productivity in Harvesting Iceberg Lettuce (Case Study)

Langmead Farms have increased their productivity and saved costs without impacting on quality or customer service by taking part in a FCC sponsored Masterclass run by the SMMT.

Business areas:	Production Excellence	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Impact of promotion strategies in raspberries - KG Fruits (Case Study)

KG Fruits wanted information on how varying pack sizes and prices affected their sales of raspberries.

Business areas:	Differentiation	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Organic home delivery - Sunnyfields Organic (Case Study)

Ian and Louise Nelson wanted more in-depth knowledge of the organic consumer in order to target new ones better.

Business areas:	Differentiation	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Helping to Get Fruit to Schools (Press Release - 24 Jul 2006)

The Food Chain Centre (FCC) has released the results of a project set up as part of the Government-funded School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. The Value Chain Analysis followed fruit grown on a Kent farm through harvesting, processing and delivery to a primary school in London.

Business areas:	Collaboration	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Helping to Get Fruit to Schools (Press Release - 24 Jul 2006)

Business areas:	Collaboration	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Farmer Champions

A series of 16 short film clips illustrating a range of successful farm business strategies from the four main agri-business sectors. They are ideal support material for lectures, workshops, seminars and conferences focussing on farm business strategy.

Business areas:	Business Strategy	Sector:	Cereals Fresh Produce Dairy Red Meat	Region:	n/a

.: Saving Money by better Workplace Organisation - Adrian Scripps (Case Study)

A FCC Masterclass has helped Adrian Scripps Ltd improve their bottom line by £28,000pa by eliminating an operation at the apple packing plant thereby releasing labour and saving from lower inventory management.

Business areas:	Production Excellence	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Boxing Clever with New Market Insight - Horti Halcyon (Case Study)

Running a small organic box delivery business means that Miranda Broadwood has limited resources and therefore needs to identify the best areas to target her marketing effort for new customers. Using consumer profiling and post code analysis Miranda was able to identify potential business development opportunities.

Business areas:	Differentiation	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a

.: Understanding the creation of value - Humber VHB's pot basil (Case Study)

Using the lessons from this VCA project, Humber VHB now know that 'keeping the customer satisfied' is not just about monitoring customer complaints. They also need to understand what creates value for their customers and align their performance to deliver an agreed approach Humber VHB are determined to implement a lean approach across their business.

Business areas:	Collaboration	Sector:	Fresh Produce	Region:	n/a