FDF has a large number of SME members – in fact 40% of our membership falls into
the small to medium sized company bracket and we have developed a range of
services that reflect the differing needs of smaller food companies.
Jonathan Bye – CEO, Seabrook Crisps
As your SME representative on FDF’s Executive Committee, I will be working
closely with FDF to focus specifically on services that are tailored and
relevant
to all SMEs.
I hope you find this site informative and are taking full advantage of your
membership. I personally find the Sales Directors’ Forum (formerly the GTLC)
meetings of great value as it is the
best way
for any SME to meet and discuss “the trade” with the senior board members from
major retailers.
If there are any other topics you would like to be included on our section or
initiatives you think we should be taking, please do let us know!
Serving our small to medium sized members
Our aim is to make a real difference for SME members by providing you with a
voice on the key issues that matter. We have successfully lobbied for government an Ombudsman for the grocery trade
to protect the interests of smaller food manufacturers.
Our SME Services
FDF understands that smaller companies do not necessarily have the resources to
hand to keep up to speed with industry developments or the technical or
regulatory resources required to ensure a competitive and level playing field.
We have developed a range of exclusive services specifically to meet
the needs of smaller members:
- Technical and scientific advice from our team of highly qualified experts with a
wealth of industry insight, intelligence, experience and expertise. - Regulatory and legislative support, advice and a proactive programme of
influence and lobbying. - The opportunity to take part in any one of our 40 committees and groups covering
all the key business critical issues of the day. By doing so, you will
be able to engage with your peers from across industry and will be involved in
developing policies, formulating industry response to the latest legislative
pressure as well as gaining exclusive insights into key topics of concern for
the
industry. - Opportunities to meet customers in the retail and food service sectors through
our Sales Directors’ Forum, SFDF Supplier Forum and Out of Home Group’. - Crisis management support including dedicated crisis teams, urgent alerts and
communications support. - Information on all the main issues of interest to SME members via our regular
Executive Briefings, The Week Ahead, Public Affairs Update, FDF Update and
Employment & Skills newsletter. - Access to a comprehensive archive of 20,000 business publications and documents
in our website document archives. - Unprecedented networking opportunities with peers across the industry through
attendance at workshops, seminars and events such as FDF annual Parliamentary
Reception. - Use of central London meeting room space at the fraction of the commercial
cost.
FDF is a powerful and unified voice for the industry with government and
regulators at the highest level across the UK and Europe. We act on behalf of
SME
members on the business critical issues of the day – ensuring you can operate
in
a
proportionate regulatory and administrative environment.
As an existing member to take advantage of these SME services simply login to our members’ only area. If you are not currently an FDF member please contact Chris Warner email: [email protected] or +44 (0) 20 7420 7208 about how to become an FDF member.
Hotline for SME companies
The FDF are pleased to announce a free advice line to help small and
medium-sized food and drink businesses. The hotline is available to any
UK-based food and
drink manufacturer regardless of whether or not you are a member of FDF.
The
hotline can be contacted on 020 7420 7110 and [email protected].
For more information please visit our SME hotline page.
Last reviewed: 27 May 2014