As the saying goes, change is the only constant, and this rings true for our evolving needs and desires. Amidst this ever-shifting landscape, one essential requirement remains steadfast: food. Indeed, food is a fundamental aspect of life, shaping our health and well-being.
Undoubtedly, the food supply chain industry holds immense significance. The demand for dependable and trustworthy food supply chain companies continues to rise, necessitating entities capable of meeting challenges head-on and consistently delivering exceptional outcomes.
In this quest, Foods Connected emerges as a prominent player in the food supply chain sector. Renowned for its cutting-edge solutions, Foods Connected is spearheaded by Roger McCracken, whose leadership propels the company’s unparalleled service offerings and fosters its continuous growth.
Today, in an enlightening interview, we have Roger McCracken, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Foods Connected Ltd. Let’s delve into the company’s story, Roger’s inspiration behind founding Foods Connected, and more!
Please tell us more about the company.
Foods Connected was established in response to the pressing need for the digitalization of routine supply chain processes in the food industry. Co-founded by myself, Paul Armstrong, and Gary Tyre, the company aims to enhance quality, mitigate risks, and reduce costs for food businesses.
Coming from a background in Northern Ireland with family involvement in livestock farming and having worked extensively in the meat processing sector, I intimately understood the challenges confronting the food industry. This positioned me well to spearhead the development of technology solutions vital for addressing industry needs.
Recognizing the opportunity to innovate, we envisioned a software solution that streamlines supply chain processes, replacing cumbersome excel spreadsheets and paperwork. Our cloud-based platform centralizes supply chain approval, quality assurance, and trading and planning negotiations, significantly cutting costs and time.
The Foods Connected platform offers enhanced transparency and control across the food supply chain, catering to food retailers, manufacturers, and service providers globally. It has revolutionized daily operations in the food industry, simplifying food production while ensuring safety, sustainability, and ethical practices.
What makes Foods Connected’s approach to supply chain management unique compared to other solutions in the market?
Foods Connected specializes in revolutionizing food supply chain processes through our comprehensive software solution, offering increased transparency in supply chain management. Our services stand out in the market due to their simplicity and real-world applicability, tailored to meet the specific needs of our customers and informed by the expertise of our industry professionals.
Our platform is designed exclusively for the food industry, covering end-to-end supply chain management including Supplier Compliance, Food Safety & Quality, CSR, Procurement & Supply Chain, Specifications & NPD, Traceability, and Reporting & Analytics.
What sets Foods Connected apart is that it is developed by industry experts, many with firsthand experience working on factory floors, ensuring an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by food businesses. Our focus on research, development, and innovation drives continuous improvement and sustainability in the food industry.
With Foods Connected, businesses benefit from comprehensive tracking, control, and reporting capabilities across all aspects of the food supply chain, all within a single, user-friendly interface.
Could you please provide insights into the team at Foods Connected?
Foods Connected’s team is driven by a shared passion for addressing challenges and seizing opportunities within the food industry. Comprising vibrant, dedicated individuals, our team collaborates closely with customers to grasp evolving industry dynamics and craft innovative, straightforward solutions that deliver tangible value.
Over the past decade, Foods Connected has experienced remarkable growth, evolving from a duo to a workforce of over 80 professionals spread across the UK and Australia. With expansion plans underway for additional locations, we presently serve clients spanning Europe, APAC, and North America.
Can you share your professional background and journey leading up to the establishment of Foods Connected?
With roots in farming and prior experience in the local food industry, I possessed a firsthand understanding of the challenges plaguing the sector. While employed at a prominent UK meat company, I observed a critical gap in the market: while digital systems were effectively managing finance, production, and inventory, core processes like procurement and supplier management were still largely manual.
Recognizing the need for an innovative software solution tailored to the food industry’s specific needs, I envisioned a platform that could digitize and streamline these essential processes. By eliminating reliance on cumbersome manual methods such as spreadsheets and paper-based systems, this platform aimed to enhance quality, mitigate risks, and drive cost efficiencies for food businesses. Thus, the idea for Foods Connected was conceived.
What significant milestones have marked your journey in the business world?
Throughout our trajectory, one notable achievement stands out: the expansion of our operations to a global scale. Foods Connected remains committed to innovation, evidenced by our recent enhancements, including traceability, sustainability, and recipe management tools.
From our humble beginnings in the north of Ireland, we have evolved into key players in the supply chain software arena, specifically tailored to the food industry. Our reach now extends across continents, spanning from the UK and Europe to as far as Australia. This growth is a source of immense pride, especially considering our origins in small northern towns.
Reflecting on our journey and the collective effort of our growing team of over 80 staff members, we are filled with gratitude for how far we have come. Yet, we remain driven by the belief that our journey has only just begun.
Could you share a notable experience with a client?
At Foods Connected, we take pride in consistently receiving positive feedback from our clients. Our commitment to delivering exceptional service and tailored solutions has been instrumental in our clients’ success stories.
Here are some firsthand accounts from our clients, highlighting how Foods Connected has revolutionized their operations:
“Woolworths appreciates the centralized framework provided by Foods Connected, allowing us to streamline sales and purchasing processes. This has empowered us to make informed decisions by easily comparing various options for optimal pricing.”
“Marley Spoon sought a solution to enhance transparency across our global supply chain. Foods Connected’s integrated solutions have provided invaluable visibility into our operations, enabling us to track supplier compliance effectively and mitigate potential risks.”
“Thanks to Foods Connected, Ornua Foods has been able to implement standardized processes throughout our organization. This consistency in data capture has facilitated insightful analytics, allowing us to assess performance levels comprehensively.”
These testimonials underscore our commitment to empowering businesses with tools that drive efficiency and foster growth.
