The Snack, Nut and Crisp Manufacturers Association (SNACMA) is the trade association for the savoury snack food industry in the UK. The Association is funded entirely by member subscriptions and is controlled by a board of directors comprising the CEOs and MDs of each operating member company.
Members
SNACMA membership includes the main savoury snack manufacturers operating in the UK market, who together account for well over 90% of all sales. The strength of the membership allows SNACMA to speak as 'the industry voice' in the UK.
Current members include:
- Kettle Foods
- PepsiCo International (Walkers Snack Foods)
- Procter & Gamble (Pringles)
- Tayto Group (Golden Wonder, Red Mill)
- United Biscuits (KP)
SNACMA membership is open to any UK manufacturer of potato crisps, savoury snacks or snack nut products.
Mission and Objectives
The SNACMA mission is "To collaborate with industry players and external stakeholders in order to develop and grow savoury snacks in the UK".
Its key objectives are to:
- Protect the industry's interests
- Help remove obstacles to the industry's growth
Protecting the industry's interests
SNACMA closely monitors proposed legislation and ensures that the appropriate action and support is mobilised in order to defend the interests of the UK snack industry. SNACMA has strong links with government departments and national associations, and through organisations such as FDF and PPA in the UK, and CIAA and UEITP in Europe.
SNACMA is noted for its many notable successes including exemption of snack foods from QUID, and Unit Pricing, retention of the 25g cut-off for weight marking, retention of the use of sweeteners in snack products, and the successful outcome of the recent issue on GM maize.
Members enjoy an 80% rebate from the Climate Change Levy scheme, which runs from April 2001-2010, and which increased energy costs by 20%. By negotiating on behalf of the industry at it's incept, SNACMA has been able to agree realistic and achievable targets for the industry with DEFRA, and continues to do so as these targets are reviewed at specific milestones. This action is estimated to have saved the industry in excess of £1M.
Removing obstacles to the industry's growth
SNACMA aims to create a more positive environment for the growth of the savoury snacks category. This relates primarily to the issues around health and diet and trying to change the perceived 'bad for you' image that savoury snacks have. SNACMA does this by providing factual information and communication tools for savoury snack products, by actively participating in the debates over health and diet, and engaging the opinion formers in the issues surrounding the consumption of savoury snacks with a view to changing their views and gaining their positive support.
SNACMA operates the Savoury Snacks Information Bureau (SSIB) as a media resource to provide information to journalists on the nutritional aspects of savoury snacks.
Working Groups
SNACMA currently operates 3 industry working groups:
- Technical Working Group
- Commercial Working Group
- PR Task Force
The TWP comprises technical directors or equivalent and concentrates on the technical/operational impact of pending legislation. It develops industry positions across a range of key issues such as contaminants (e.g. pesticides, mycotoxins, etc), additives, animal feed, etc., and provides a means of pooling industry data and views.
The Commercial WP comprises trade marketing, marketing, PR managers looking at a 12 month horizon and the commercial impact of legislation and media, consumer activity in the food arena. It develops industry positions on such issues as claims, nutrition labelling, GMOs, and Promotion of Foods to children etc. It is also actively involved in developing communication tools for the industry.
The PR Task Force is an extension of the Commercial WP. This small team of PR and marketing experts work closely with our PR agency to provide direction and drive to our pro-active outreach programme to key stakeholders. The focus is on ensuring that the key facts about the industry and its products are understood and that the industry is accepted as being both a responsible and pro-active player in helping to provide solutions to the problems of consumer nutrition and health by encouraging them to eat a healthy balanced diet and lead an active lifestyle.
In addition, SNACMA operates 'ad hoc' working groups which are convened to meet specific needs, e.g. Climate Change Levy, Procurement Group, etc. These normally run for 3 -6 months.
Contact
Steve Chandler
Director General
SNACMA
6 Catherine Street
London
WC2B 5JJ
|
