Press Releases

BIGGER AND BETTER – BAKERY @ FOODEX

William Reed Business Media puts bakery centre stage

In a move that reflects the significance of the bakery sector to the UK’s total food & drink industry, William Reed Business Media is creating Bakery @ Foodex.  This new element, which will be incorporated into the firmly established biennial Foodex show, will replace the longstanding Baking Industry Exhibition (BIE) and give BIE exhibitors increased exposure to a wider range of buyers from across the food manufacturing and retailing industries.

“The UK bakery market is worth around £3.4 billion a year and is the largest sector in the UK food industry,” says Andrew Reed, Managing Director of Events and Exhibitions for William Reed Business Media.  “It makes sense, therefore, for it to take centre-stage at the UK’s leading industry-wide show.  We’re confident that, by combining these two events, we’ll offer BIE exhibitors access to a wider audience and enhanced sales opportunities.”

Foodex attracts visitors from every area of food and drink manufacture, many of whom have an interest in the bakery sector and its supply chain.   “At the same time, many of our traditional BIE exhibitors have products that have can be applied to other areas of food manufacture in addition to baking,” says Andrew. “Access to the larger Foodex audience will increase their opportunities for market growth and diversification.”

The move to create Bakery @ Foodex has been applauded across the bakery supply industry.  Leading trade associations, including the National Association of Master Bakers (NAMB) and the British Society of Baking (BSB) and the Association of Bakery Ingredient Manufacturers (ABIM) have all pledged their support and will have a significant presence at the show. 

In addition the BSB has announced that it will again hold a BSB Exhibition Dinner at Foodex on Monday 26 March 2012 for BSB members, visitors and exhibitors.

“Over the past four years William Reed Business Media has invested heavily to increase sector coverage at Foodex and to further establish it as the premier event for the UK’s food and drink industry.   With the bakery sector at its heart, that process is now complete,” says Keith Houliston, Chairman, British Society of Baking.  “By holding our event in tandem with Bakery @ Foodex we will create a richer and more time efficient experience for our members – an opportunity to attend our annual dinner and a ‘must-attend’ show, all in a single day.”

Gill Brooks-Lonican, CEO of NAMB adds, “This is a rational and positive change that will bring added value to the bakery industry as well as rich opportunities for the suppliers to it.”

David Amos, President of the Association of Bakery Ingredient Manufacturers (ABIM) added -

 “ABIM are pleased to be able to lend our support to Foodex, the main trade event of the food and drink manufacturing industry. We are delighted that William Reed took the decision to widen the scope of food and drink sectors represented at this exhibition, and believe incorporating Bakery @ Foodex into the event will be of great benefit to the bakery industry.“

In addition to the exhibition, Bakery @ Foodex will feature a comprehensive programme of presentations, workshops, discussion groups and networking events.  Sylvia MacDonald, Editor of British Baker, the show’s media partner, will play an active role in developing a programme which, she says “will address every area of innovation and challenge that our readers are exposed to and wish to profit from.”  Craft bakers in particular will be well catered for, with a series of competitions and master classes to inspire their business development efforts.

Bakery @ Foodex will take place between 25 and 27 March 2012 at Birmingham’s NEC.  For more information about exhibiting at Bakery @ Foodex contact Daren Rose-Neale, Event Director, on 01293 610355 or email daren.rose-neale@wrbm.com