Food Chain - Issue 197 - December 2023 | Page 77

___________________________________________________________________________________________ Hunt ’ s Food Group
percent from using biodiesel in trucks , ensured all company cars were electric or hybrid , reduced food wastage through donating to the Devon & Cornwall Food Action Group , planted trees , hedges and wildflowers on the companies ’ farms and increased the volume of product recycled .”
Greener and cleaner
Over the years , the business has experienced considerable change , with technology having a sizeable operational impact . “ In our warehouse , we now employ voicedirected picking technologies . Additionally , our vehicles use telematics for more fuel efficient and safer driving . Fifty percent of our customer base order online and the amount of data analysis that supports decision making is huge and very different from how we used to operate ten years ago .”
Looking to the future , Thomas shares his hopes for 2024 . “ We will continue to increase our service levels and improve order fulfilment processes . We ’ re looking at different technologies to enhance our online ordering platforms . We ’ re also expanding our ranges and moving into product sectors that we haven ’ t traditionally dealt with , such as fruit and vegetables and alcohol .
“ Looking further ahead , while increasing our turnover and profitability is important , I ’ d like the business to keep embodying our values of being trustworthy and dependable , selfless and adaptable , relentlessly determined and possessing the personal touch . We will continue to be a people-centric business and a place where people want to work . I ’ d also like to think that alongside our continued work with charities and the community , we ’ ll continue to be a greener and cleaner business ,” he concludes . ■
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