UK Group Unveiling Innovations at ISM

ISM 2024 will see 53 UK companies join the high-profile UK group in hall 4.2 at Koelnmesse, all looking to connect with visitors from across the world who travel to Cologne for this hugely significant event in the global sweets and snacks sector calendar.  (28-31 January 2024, Cologne).

As global consumers continue their love affair with sweets, biscuits, and snacks, confectionery remains an affordable treat.   According to Statista, Revenue in the Confectionery & Snacks Market is projected to reach US$88.43bn in 2024 with an annual growth rate of 13.97%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$149.20bn by 2028.

Whilst the sector is still all about enjoyment and taste, health and sustainability are values which global consumers are increasingly looking for in brands, seeking those that match their own values in terms of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Within the UK group at ISM, a diverse array of exhibitors will be showing a host of unique offerings that cater to these dynamic expectations of global consumers.

Exports remain a key driver of growth and in 2022 the UK food and drink sector’s overseas sales hit a new record high, rising 23% to nearly £25 billion. 

Chocolate accounted for £824.3m up 9.5%  and features strongly in the UK group with a host of treats for visitors including Up-Up, the world’s first chocolate to be certified by slavefreetrade®, proudly sourcing all its cocoa from a single farm in Colombia, who adhere to a single-estate origin approach and actively channel wealth back into the local community. On trend brand Love Cocoa  blends impeccable heritage with a cutting-edge ethos and contemporary creative flair that pioneers a plastic-free, carbon-negative, hyper-sustainable company, whilst creating a sophisticated, modern chocolate using the world’s finest cacao.  For those looking for luxury, following significant investment Whitakers Chocolates will be unveiling their latest creation: stem ginger encased in velvety dark chocolate or sugar-dusted for that perfect bite!  

Gifting and casual gifting packs which make a premium and indulgent statement remain highly sought after, and the UK group at ISM should be high on buyers list to source products which are affordable and offer exciting luxury gifting solutions.  Cartwright & Butler will be launching their Happy Birthday collection musical tin to add to their impressive high quality, premium gifting options.  The Silver Crane Company will showcase their unique shelf-ready seasonal food filled gift tins, packed and distributed from the UK.  Churchills Confectionery will be hard to miss too, with their distinctive, creatively embossed pieces of artistic design in tin boxes that contain delicious sweets and biscuits.

The UK group features many long-established companies, who have built strong international business through the contacts made at ISM.  Simpkins, a family run business owned by the 3^rd generation of the same family, have been manufacturing "Chemist Grade confectionery" since 1921.  Today they are still manufacturing by traditional methods in batches ,using the original All natural recipes first used by their grandfather.  Check out both their new and traditional tins at the show.

Sweet biscuits and shortbread are out in strength in the UK group including Walker’s Shortbread whose high-quality products can be found the world over.  The Walker’s team will be presenting their newly redesigned tartan packaging.  Shortbread House, winners of over 100 Great Taste Awards, are excited to showcase their new products and new flavours at ISM, including both shortbread and cheese sables

Exhibiting for the first time, Stoat’s Porridge Bars, the largest independent cereal bar manufacturer in the UK, will be showcasing their snack bars, porridge and plant-based products made with the finest Scottish oats using only compostable or fully recyclable material

Those looking for private label products won’t be disappointed.   JLM Global Foods, manufacturers of healthier snacks specialise in popping technology that allows the production of products like rice cakes and popped potato snacks. From its state-of-the-art, purpose-built manufacturing site,  Walkers Chocolates offer a wide range of chocolate and confectionery products which include thins, moulded, bars, sugar coated, vegan, assortments and gifting, offering both private label and own label branded options to 52 countries worldwide. New to ISM, Aldomak, known for its luxury Fudge, Scottish Tablet & Meringues, has also transformed into a dynamic modern contract food manufacturer with the ability to bake healthy Oat bars, tray bakes.

Sandra Sullivan MBE, Director of the UK’s Food and Drink Exporters’ Association, “The importance of ISM for UK companies cannot be underestimated. With inflationary pressures across the global supply chain, the challenges faced by companies are ones which we are all only to aware of.  In these challenging times, it is vital that companies look beyond their domestic market to focus on exports as a route to future growth.  We are delighted to see such a strong UK presence of such internationally focussed companies at ISM.  We know that the innovation and quality shown across the UK group will attract strong international interest and look forward to supporting the companies in the group.  Pop by and say hello Hall 4.2, K41”.

Karen Beston, Head of Exhibitions & Events at UK Group organisers PS8 added: 
“This is just a snapshot of the strength and depth of the group at ISM; the full list of UK group exhibitors can be viewed via our dedicated ISM UK exhibitor listing downloadable via our QR code.  With this being the first time ISM has taken place in its traditional dates since 2020, we know there is much excitement about what the week will bring.  We look forward to working with our client companies to create a strong showcase for the UK and connecting with new brands looking to take part in the show in future years.”

Download UK exhibitor list at:  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qoapqn47inkt5oyvnjbd6/UK-Exhibitors-at-ISM-Cologne-2024.pdf?rlkey=sbkk30knbdpcc9nu0n5mdov91&dl=0

Food and Drink Exporters Association (FDEA) – a thriving membership community of businesses from across the UK food and drink sector, sharing expertise, insights and connections.
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