News

In today’s rapidly evolving marketplace, family businesses hold a unique position as stalwarts of stability and drivers of economic growth. Rooted in tradition yet adaptable to change, these businesses play a crucial role in shaping industries such as the fruit and vegetable sector. Keelings Knowledge, a third-generation family business in the fresh produce industry, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy and innovative spirit of family enterprises. Building on insights from market research, we delve into the distinct advantages that family businesses bring to the fruit and vegetable industry, alongside the transformative potential of digitalisation.

 

Advantages of Family Businesses in the Fruit and Vegetable Industry

Tradition and Heritage

• Family businesses boast deep-rooted traditions and legacies, fostering trust and loyalty among consumers.
• Keelings Knowledge embodies this tradition, drawing on industry and family values to drive sustainable growth and innovation.

Flexibility and Adaptability

• Family businesses exhibit agility in responding to market dynamics, swiftly seizing opportunities and navigating challenges.
• This adaptability is vital in the face of digital transformation, ensuring continued success in the fresh produce industry.

Quality and Freshness

• Prioritising quality and freshness, family businesses uphold stringent standards in sourcing and production.
• Keelings Knowledge, as part of a family business, maintains a commitment to excellence, delivering future-proof ERP software tailored to industry needs.

Personalised Customer Service

• Family businesses excel in delivering personalised customer experiences, fostering long-term relationships and customer loyalty.
• Keelings Knowledge stands out with its help-desk team, offering industry expertise and real support to clients.

 

Digital Transformation and Family Businesses

Embracing digitalisation is becoming increasingly imperative for family businesses to maintain competitiveness and relevance in today’s modern economy. Despite acknowledging its significance, challenges such as a shortage of IT-expertise and persist within family-run enterprises leading to paper mountains, lost time and increased frustration. However, in response to these challenges, Keelings Knowledge stands out by offering future-proof ERP software specifically tailored to the unique demands of the fruit and vegetable industry. With a dedicated emphasis on partnership and reliability, Keelings Knowledge ensures the smooth and seamless integration of digital solutions into family businesses, empowering them to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape.

 

As the fruit and vegetable industry evolves, family businesses remain at the forefront, blending tradition with innovation to drive sustainable growth. Keelings Knowledge exemplifies this ethos, offering future-proof solutions and unwavering support to family businesses navigating the digital landscape. With a shared commitment to excellence and long-term vision, family enterprises continue to shape the future of the industry, rooted in values that stand the test of time.

As we bid farewell to another year, Keelings Knowledge reflects on the strides made in the realm of fresh produce management. Last year has been one of dynamic changes, and as we stand at the beginning of a new year, we are energized and enthusiastic about what lies ahead. Our commitment to innovation remains unwavering, and we are eager to share our vision for the future with our esteemed clients.

Top Trends in 2024

This year, Keelings Knowledge is set to embrace and lead in the top trends shaping the fresh produce industry. Here are some key technology trends that will define the landscape in 2024:

1. Blockchain Integration: The use of blockchain technology in the fresh produce industry is set to increase, providing transparent and traceable supply chains. This ensures greater accountability and quality assurance from farm to fork.
2. Precision Agriculture: Leveraging advanced technologies such as Computer Vision, IoT sensors and data analytics, precision agriculture will become more prevalent. This approach enhances optimising resource use and minimising environmental impact and employee time.
3. AI and Machine Learning: Artificial Intelligence and machine learning will play a pivotal role in predicting demand, optimising inventory, and enhancing decision-making processes. Keelings Knowledge will continue to work on including AI solutions in our offerings to provide actionable insights for our clients.
4. Contactless Technologies: In response to changing consumer behaviours, contactless technologies in the form of mobile apps will become integral. This includes contactless ordering, payment, and delivery options, enhancing the overall customer experience and employee efficiency.

Our Vision for 2024: Innovate, Collaborate, Thrive

As we step into 2024, Keelings Knowledge is excited to keep innovating. We envision a year of collaboration with our clients, where we collectively embrace technological advancements to support the fresh produce industry. Our goal is not only to meet the evolving needs of the market but to do so with the client in mind, integrity, and a great passion for achievement.

Get Ready to Transform with Keelings Knowledge

We invite companies in the fresh produce industry to embark on this journey of innovation with us. Whether you are a seasoned industry player or a newcomer, Keelings Knowledge is dedicated to empowering your business with solutions specialised on your business in the fruit and vegetable sector. Our suite of tools, including KBS (Knowledge Business System), is designed to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and ensure your success in the competitive fresh produce landscape.

Connect with Us in 2024

As the new year unfolds, we encourage you to reach out to us. Whether you’re curious about the latest trends, want to explore our innovative solutions, or are ready to take your fresh produce management to new heights, Keelings Knowledge is here for you. Let’s make 2024 a year of growth, collaboration, and success. Contact us at sales@keelingsknowledge.com to begin your journey towards a prosperous future in the fresh produce industry! Stay tuned what Keelings Knowledge has in store for your business in 2024!

In an age of digital progress, the fruit and vegetable industry stands at a crucial juncture. To stay competitive as the modern market evolves, businesses must adopt innovative solutions. Keelings Business Solutions (KBS), offered by Keelings Knowledge, promises to revolutionize the industry. This article explores the case for digitalization in fresh produce, supported by key industry facts.

 

The Digital Imperative

The fruit and vegetable industry, known for adaptability, faces a rapidly changing 21st-century landscape. Consider these statistics:

High Inflation: Rising inflation pressures operational costs, demanding agile cost management solutions.

Soaring Energy Costs: Escalating energy expenses impact profitability and sustainability, necessitating efficient resource use.

Supply Chain Challenges: Disruptions at European borders underscore the need for resilient supply chains. Diversification is key.

Intensified Competition: Heightened competition calls for data-driven insights and efficiency gains.

 

KBS: A Game-Changing Solution

Keelings Business Solutions (KBS) is a versatile, industry-specific ERP software designed to address fresh produce sector challenges. With nearly a century of industry expertise, Keelings Knowledge is an invaluable partner.

KBS offers features revolutionizing operations:

Cost Transparency: KBS empowers stakeholders to track costs precisely, down to individual pallets, optimizing cost management.

Resilient Supply Chains: Real-time data access and processing enhance resilience by reducing reliance on single sources.

Efficiency and Sustainability: The “Driver App” streamlines deliveries, conserves resources, and minimizes food waste, aligning with sustainability goals.

Real-Time Inventory Oversight: KBS enables real-time inventory monitoring, ensuring cost control under evolving circumstances.

DAiSy RPA: Our RPA solution automates repetitive tasks, enhancing productivity.

 

The Keelings Knowledge Edge

Keelings Knowledge is more than a software provider; it’s an indispensable partner with over 95 years in the fruit and vegetable industry. Software from the industry, for the industry.

 

Your Next Step

The digital revolution is here. Embrace it with Keelings Business Solutions. Contact our consultants today to explore how KBS can elevate your operations, reduce costs, increase efficiency, and position your business at the forefront of the industry’s digital transformation. Together, we’ll navigate these challenges and build a prosperous future for your fresh produce business.

The European Commission regularly introduces new regulations or abolishes old ones. But what are the new regulations that will have an impact on the food industry?

From 01 January 2023, the new agricultural reform of the EU comes into force, which brings some changes regarding agricultural subsidies. Among other things, it is new that now a proof must be presented that an agricultural business is actively managed. The most important change, however, are the organic regulations which bind 23% of the funds from the so-called 1st pillar. Within the framework of these, voluntarily provided environmental services are subsidized separately. These voluntary agricultural, environmental and climate measures are to be compensated as follows:

• Instead of basic premium with cross compliance basic requirements (173 €/ha), in future basic income support as a new, extended conditionality with 156 €/ha
• Instead of greening with 85 €/ha including preservation of permanent grassland, crop diversification and ecological priority areas in the future ecological regulations climate protection measures, rewarded with just 65 €/ha
• Young farmers will receive €115/ha instead of €44/ha and the redistribution premium will be €69 and €41/ha instead of €50 and €30/ha.

Another regulation that comes into force in January 2023 is the 2023/5 regulation. This states that the EU-wide use of partially defatted powder of Acheta domestica (the native cricket) in food will be permitted from January 24. So far, 4 insects have been approved as novel foods in the EU. The so-called novel foods are food ingredients that have not been used for human consumption to any significant extent in the EU before May 15, 1997. The insects approved so far include the yellow mealworm approved in 2021, followed with the migratory locust, buffalo worm, house cricket and now partially defatted powder from house cricket.

However, it will take some time before insects are regularly used in our foods, such as baked goods or other products. They are currently not available on a large scale and are therefore expensive raw materials. In the future, however, insects will play a major role. Due to their very high protein content, they represent a possible alternative to meat and fish. As protein suppliers, they even surpass nuts, legumes and cereals.  But not only their high protein content speaks for their use. They contain many nutrients that are important for humans, such as valuable omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. Furthermore, they shine through their good ecological balance. Insects require far less space, water, food and cause fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional meat farming. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says that livestock farming is responsible for about 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Insects cause comparatively 100 times less C02 emissions in production.

Keep up to date with the latest EU regulations! As industry experts, we have developed an ERP system that is constantly adapting to changing regulations. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!