The purpose of this trade mission is to create good business collaboration opportunities for the participating Finnish companies and facilitate direct contacts in the UK market. During the trade mission, Business Finland will organize 1-to-1 and/or group meetings with UK companies and potential buyers in the food and beverage industry.
Business Finland’s Sustainable Manufacturing and Decarbonizing Industries programs are organizing a trade mission to London on 22-23 March 2023 with a focus on the UK Food and Beverage manufacturing industries.
Why the UK?
The food industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the country, employing 4 million people and generating around £121 billion annually. Growth in the sector is tipped to be the key to overcoming the economic consequences resulting from Brexit.
UK manufacturing businesses are prioritising investments that can help them alleviate internal cost pressures. A key priority for manufacturers is to ensure an efficient use of energy and hence they are looking for sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. The UK government reports increased demand for sustainable, environmentally friendly packaging in the industry.
A combination of high-quality produce and technological advances has established the UK at the forefront of innovation. There is a growing emphasis on sustainability in production, reducing environmental impact, and providing healthier food options. In the UK as well as internationally, the industry has an excellent ethical reputation and provides an enormous amount of potential for growth.
The last three years have brought severe challenges for the industry, with nearly every cost component rising persistently, extreme staff shortages and overall uncertainty. According to the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), businesses are prioritising investments that can help alleviate internal cost pressures. A key priority for manufacturers is to ensure efficient use of energy and continued new product development (including packaging). Therefore, the UK food and beverage industry requires solutions for smart manufacturing.
Participating in the Trade Mission will provide a unique opportunity to meet relevant companies and potential partners from the UK.
Who should attend?
Finnish companies with smart manufacturing applications for F&B industry such as:
- Energy efficiency solutions in food production
- Food waste reduction solutions
- Food and food production safety solutions
- Packaging solutions
- Process optimization solutions
Participation fee
To cover the expenses of arranging the business delegation program, the organizers will charge a participation fee.
- Large Companies: 1500 EUR + 24% VAT per person
- Micro Businesses and SMEs: 1300 EUR + 24% VAT per person
Business Finland will invoice the participation fee after the visit based on the actual costs. The invoiced fee will not exceed the amounts indicated above. Business Finland reserves the right to reconsider the offer / cancel the visit if less than 10 companies are to join the delegation. Kindly note that the participation fee does not include flights or accommodation of the delegate nor meals outside the delegation program.
