Direct Table Foods

Direct Table Foods is one of the UK’s top bacon processing companies, supplying the retail, foodservice and manufacturing markets.

Background

Established in 1950, Direct Table Foods is one of the largest bacon and gammon processors in the UK, with a rich heritage and strong vision.

In 2015 Direct Table Foods were acquired by The Tönnies Group, an international pork and beef processing business based in Germany.

Inspired have been instrumental in helping Direct Table Foods set their net-zero status, all while laying the groundwork for setting a Science Based Target. This is principally in response to requests from major supermarket customers, such as ALDI, to firstly disclose a full carbon footprint and secondly to set a Science Based Target (SBT) by the end of 2024.

Solution

Direct Table Foods have commissioned Inspired’s Carbon Action Programme (CAP) which includes the development and annual review of a net-zero strategy, an inventory of Scope 3 emissions, Phase 3 of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and management of their Climate Change Agreements (CCA).

In terms of energy procurement Direct Table Foods had previously managed to secure favourable fixed price contracts in their own right, but as markets became more volatile the business entered into consultation with Inspired Energy.

It was decided that the business would group together with 5 of its sister companies in order to take advantage of group-wide procurement, provided by Inspired.

Ambition

There was 100% support for developing a net-zero carbon reduction target amongst attendees at the net-zero workshop.

In addition, there was also a strong preference for an energy efficiency target to supplement a carbon target.

Direct Table Foods has learned from experience in adapting to rapidly changing requirements from customers, for example the reduction of plastic in its packaging and the focus on using British meat.

Challenges

Direct Table Foods will always have to compete on price to win major retail contracts, however being an industry leader in terms of their sustainability strategy is of the utmost importance.

Internal resourcing is limited for strategic, non-core business projects and competition for capital funding is challenging. But there is support within the C-Suite for projects which champion sustainability.

Results

Inspired’s Carbon Action Programme has already garnered results for Direct Table Foods, including:

• Calculating their carbon footprint, including scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
• A complete site survey at the manufacturing site at Bury St Edmonds, in order to identify energy efficiency measures and low carbon on-site generation solutions.
• A net-zero workshop with Direct Table Foods’ C-Suite representatives in order to increase general awareness of climate change issues.•
• A purpose built net-zero Strategy and Report, identifying investment scenarios, energy efficiency measures, low carbon generation opportunities, green procurement options and more.
• Working towards setting a Science Based Target to fulfill major supply chain requirements.

Additionally, since their energy procurement contract was agreed the market has experienced record price rises and if Direct Table Foods had not taken Inspired ’s advice their wholesale energy would cost them over 42% more in the current market!