John Knox Business Development and Food Technology Consultants. UK Projects

The Staffordshire Cheese Company
John started the Staffordshire Cheese Company in 1988, resurrecting Staffordshire Cheese, which was popular in the 18th century. Nine traditional cheeses were developed, including goats, sheep and blue cheeses

This project included a five Year business plan, factory design, factory start up and successful product and sales development over an 8 year period

Poultry Projects
Quality Systems installed in 150 Poultry Farms; 6 Poultry Preparation Factories; 2 Primary Processing Units

Operator Training completed at all of the above units including : Poultry Processing; Internal Auditor Certificate; HACCP certificate; Cleaning and Sterilising Techniques; Teamwork; Time Utilisation; Wastage Reduction and Environmental Control

The Ice-cream Project
Business development for three farming enterprises entering the ice cream market. Development of recipes, HACCPs, business systems and sales. This project focussed on economic production at one farm and sales by the three farms

The Butter Project
Team leadership in development of 1000 tonne/week butter factory. Factory design, plant sourcing and installation, start up and successful operation. Butter analysis laboratory and optimum yield control.
The butter project focused on optimising yields resulting in improved yields of 2.5%

The Juice Project
Setting up fruit juice factories for innovation and long run economies. The Juice Project focussed on two factories. The focal point of one factory was to carry out short runs and product development. The second factory focussed on long economic production runs

£8m Cheese Project
Project manager for £8m cheese packing and processed cheese manufacturing plant. Co-ordination of civil work, engineers, plant installation and operator start-up training

The building was completed on time with a £½m saving on the project. Eliminating expensive architect costs

Preparation of Strategic Plan for £1b Food Business
Covering all business sectors - key Issues:
- Food Quality Assurance
- Design of suitable food preparation facilities
- Systems for supplier approvals
- Re-design of supplier specifications, covering all food areas: meat; fish; dairy; bakery; produce and others
- Management training and communication systems

Food Engineering
Business development, including five Year Business Plan, revised marketing activities and sales development across a wider customer base

Quality Management Systems
Quality management systems give companies the opportunity to expand their sales into major retail companies and regional co-operatives

Quality Management Systems (ISO 9000, BRC, EFSIS) have been developed across a wide range of the food industry: meat; poultry; bakery; produce; dry products; dairy. Some Companies: Van den Berghs (Unilever), Kerry Foods, Gafoor (poultry), Sovereign Chicken (150 poultry farms, 2 added value factories and one primary processing factory), Geest (fresh pasta and two produce factories), Haverhill (formerly Sainsbury factory, now Grampian), Chequer Foods (dry products), Everest Dairies (Cheese), R. Rossa and Sons (Yogurt) and others

Dairy Project
Development of Dairy project designing for cheese, yogurt, ice cream, milks and butter. Development of HACCPs and staff training for abattoir, dairy factory, produce, animal husbandry and events catering. All activities on a 2,500 acre farming enterprise

Product Models for Farmers
John has developed a business model and product model for farmers who wish to 'add value' to their milk production. This offers cheeses, ice-cream and yogurt. The models cover product control, margins, sales, marketing and product technology

Business Development and Quality Systems
Business Development and Quality Systems have been introduced across a range of businesses including: Insurance, Finance, Legal, Computers, Care Homes, Engineering and Diverse Manufacturing Units. Includes Project Manager and Consultants on Government "Quality Steps Plus" Programme

These systems give companies the chance to develop a company profile and expand their customer base

Eastern Foods
Eastern Foods was started by Madi Sharma, 'Asian Woman of the Year' in 1996

The company provides products including ready-made meals - covering a full range of Asian recipes. Company audits were carried out to identify critical areas and develop new production techniques over a six month period. Managers were also trained in food manufacturing control

Engineering Company
The company manufacture a range of items covering welding shop production and batch manufacture of items for the tractor and digger industry (JCB)

This was a new company formed by the amalgamamtion of two businesses. Industrial relations and communications were problematic

A business plan with clear goals and targets was prepared and turnover and profit margin consistently improved over a three year period

Leadership courses and on-site mentoring and asisstance resulted in the business becoming the top performer in the business group

Head Office of Major Multiple Retail Group
A tutorial learning system was developed with up to nine other company businesses ( including: Food Retail, Pharmacy and Engineering). The tutorials were one day per month for ten months. On site consultancy took place over the same period

Objectives:
- Business gain ISO 9001 - achieved
- Significantly improve Corrective Action for Regional Multiple Retail Stores. This covered all aspects of daily problems received at Head Office from over sixty businesses
- Investor in People - achieved

Citizens Advice Bureau, Stoke on Trent
The CAB has 37 paid specialists and 70 volunteer workers handling a complex range of problems for citizens who are disadvantaged
- Some problem areas:
  Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Client representation at tribunals
- Project:
  Assist Chief Executive in preparation of Quality Assurance Systems that can demonstrate to staff, clients and external funders that best practice is in place
- Achieved:
  Appropriate Quality Assurance Manual; simple Flow Diagram Procedures for all key activities making training of staff a more easy task; 5 staff achieved Quality Auditor Certificates; CAB achieved ISO9001

Farmers Shop Marketing & Sales
Two year project covering Farmers Market developments, review of the business, sales volumes and margins covering 50 farm businesses. Market evaluation for regional sourcing to regional retailer outlets eg Asda, Sainsbury and so on

Preparation of HACCPS and suitable technical and legal control for each product type covering: meats, dairy products, bakery, dry goods, produce and poultry

Preparation of business plan, 5 year sales plans with margins and cash flow details

Sourcing of premises for a central Farmers Market shop and distribution point to retailers, farm shops, restuarants and hotels

Major Cheese Project (£12m capital spend)
Evaluation of three types of manufacturing processes for British hard cheese and systems for semi-soft cheese. The project also included the manufacture of own starter cultures and the storage and maturation of cheeses

The project also involved cheese pre-packing systems and the co-ordination of data, factory specifications and food plant types and layouts from 3 companies

A final report covered technology storage, product volumes, margins and profitability