Kelsius is delighted to have been shortlisted as a finalist in the upcoming Guaranteed Irish Business Awards.
Kelsius has been named as a finalist in the Technology category. The recognition is timely as Kelsius has just announced its new innovations in technology, with the launch of FoodTrak365 and CoolTrak365 for temperature monitoring for goods in transit. The new products add to Kelsius’ suite of monitoring systems for the food and healthcare industries which allow businesses to reduce costs, improve compliance, protect stock, and save staff time by introducing automation and removing manual processes.
The Guaranteed Irish Business Awards recognise Irish businesses and organisations that invest in long-term employment, strengthen local communities, and deliver trusted, high-quality products and solutions. At Kelsius, these principles are part of how the company operates, from designing and manufacturing products in Donegal to partnering with Irish suppliers, helping drive economic growth at both a local and national level.
Commenting on the announcement of finalists, Guaranteed Irish CEO Bríd O’ Connell said, “It is more important than ever to recognise and support the companies driving progress here in Ireland, businesses whose ambition, creativity, and commitment benefit not just their industries, but the wider Irish economy and communities they serve.”
The awards are judged by an independent panel of industry leaders, including representatives from Matheson, An Post, Musgrave, PTSB, Viatel Technology Group and FBD Insurance.
Winners will be announced at the Guaranteed Irish Business Awards ceremony which will take place in a new venue, the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on 5 March.
Winter is one of the most important and most demanding periods of the year for food retailers. The busy run-up to Christmas brings increased footfall, higher stock turnover, and pressure on teams to deliver consistently high standards. Yet as soon as the festive rush ends, many retailers face a sharp slowdown as customers return to work and take stock of their holiday spending. This seasonal fluctuation alone can place strain on operations, but the real challenge lies in protecting food safety throughout this exceptionally busy and unpredictable period.
Winter often brings a unique combination of complications. A perfect storm of actual storms, freezing temperatures, staff taking extended leave, and the need to hire and train seasonal workers all contribute to a higher likelihood of disruption. Normal routines can be interrupted, roles may need to be covered at short notice, and managers often find themselves stretched thin across multiple tasks and sometimes multiple sites. These pressures create an environment where manual food safety processes quickly become vulnerable.
Manual HACCP systems depend heavily on the availability and consistency of trained staff. When team members cannot reach the store due to extreme weather, when experienced staff take extended holidays, or when seasonal workers are still learning the ropes, essential checks may be delayed or missed altogether. At the busiest time of year, this leaves food at risk and increases the burden on management to maintain oversight.
This is why many retailers are turning to automation to safeguard their operations. Automated wireless temperature monitoring and digital HACCP systems significantly reduce the strain on teams during the winter season. By replacing paper records and manual data collection, digital systems ensure that accurate information is always captured, always available, and always stored securely. Authorised staff can access data and reports from any web-enabled device, removing the need to depend on colleagues who may be off-site or unavailable, and eliminating unnecessary travel in dangerous weather conditions. Systems such as FoodCheck2.0 from Kelsius are designed to be intuitive and quick to learn, meaning permanent, part-time, and seasonal staff can all use them confidently with minimal training.
Winter weather can also cause sudden equipment failures with the onset of extreme cold and freezing temperatures. With FoodCheck2.0, automated alerts notify you immediately when readings fall outside safe limits, allowing fast intervention before stock is compromised.
As winter and the busy Christmas season approaches for food retailers, digital HACCP is essential to manage operations smoothly.
Contact Kelsius today to ensure your food safety processes are winter ready.
Ensuring food safety is a paramount concern for UK food retailers, as it directly impacts consumer health, brand reputation, and regulatory compliance. Navigating the complexities of food safety regulations can be challenging, but with the right tools and systems, retailers can maintainhigh standards and streamline their operations.
Retailers are required to implement effective food safety management systems, conduct regular hazard analyses, and maintain detailed records of their processes. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties, including fines, legal action, and damage to brand reputation.
Common Challenges Faced by UK Retailers
Regulatory Compliance: Keeping abreast of evolving food safety regulations demands continuous monitoring and adaptation.
Record Keeping: Maintaining accurate and accessible records is essential but can be labour-intensive and prone to human error.
Supply Chain Management: Ensuring that all suppliers adhere to food safety standards requires diligent oversight and coordination.
Staff Training: Regular training is necessary to keep staff informed about best practices and regulatory changes, which can be resource intensive.
Labour Shortages: Retail particularly continues to face the challenge of labour shortages caused in varying degrees by the effects of the pandemic, Brexit and the availability of a flow of a suitable workforce.
Rising costs: The cost of doing business is significant for UK food retailers who need to consider the price of stock, energy, labour, regulatory compliance, local services and business rates. All while at the same time consumer behaviour continues to shift towards price-driven purchase decisions.
How a Digital HACCP System can Help
Kelsius offers innovative digital solutions designed to assist UK retailers in overcoming these challenges:
FoodCheck 2.0: This system automates temperature monitoring and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) management, reducing reliance on manual checks and paperwork. It provides real-time data and alerts, ensuring swift responses to potential issues.
CoolCheck: Specialising in wireless temperature monitoring, CoolCheck ensures that all refrigeration units operate within safe parameters, preventing spoilage and ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
Benefits of Implementing Kelsius Systems
Enhanced Compliance: Automated monitoring and record-keeping simplify adherence to regulations and facilitate smoother audits.
Operational Efficiency: Reducing manual tasks allows staff to focus on core business activities, improving overall productivity.
Data-Driven Insights: Access to comprehensive data enables informed decision-making and proactive management of food safety risks.
Conclusion
In the dynamic landscape of UK retail, maintaining rigorous food safety standards is both a regulatory requirement and a competitive advantage. Kelsius provides the tools necessary to streamline compliance, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure the highest levels of food safety.
For more information on how Kelsius can support your business, visit www.kelsius.com.
Kelsius is proud to announce that they have been named the winner of the Technology Award at the Guaranteed Irish Business Awards 2025. This prestigious recognition highlights Kelsius’ commitment to innovation, excellence, and sustainability in the field of temperature monitoring and HACCP compliance.
The Guaranteed Irish Business Awards celebrate the best of Irish business and recognise companies that demonstrate a commitment to supporting local communities, creating jobs, and driving innovation across various industries.
Cutting-Edge Technology
The Technology Award was presented to Kelsius for its cutting-edge solutions in digital HACCP and wireless temperature monitoring. These solutions are designed to help businesses across the foodservice, retail, and pharmaceutical industries maintain the highest standards of food safety and storage integrity. Kelsius’ IoT-driven solutions offer real-time monitoring, regulatory compliance, and enhanced efficiency, ultimately reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensuring that critical medicines and vaccines are stored correctly.
As a Guaranteed Irish company, Kelsius adheres to the principles of quality, local job creation, and sustainability. The Kelsius manufacturing facility is based in Donegal, where they are committed to supporting Irish suppliers and the local economy. By championing local talent and resources, Kelsius contributes to the growth and prosperity of communities across Ireland.
Celebrating Innovation and Sustainability
At Kelsius, sustainability is at the core of everything they do. Kelsius has earned a Silver Medal from EcoVadis for its ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. Kelsius solutions help businesses reduce waste, energy consumption, and operational costs, while promoting a greener future. From eliminating paper records to ensuring energy-efficient operations, the company works hard to ensure that its temperature monitoring systems are as environmentally friendly as they are effective.
Kelsius’ commitment to corporate responsibility goes beyond its products. Through initiatives like the EasyTressie programme, Kelsius is actively involved in projects that support environmental and social causes, making a tangible impact on communities and the environment. Kelsius partners with local organisations and its dedication to sustainable practices underscore the company’s mission to create value for both businesses and society.
Kelsius: A Proud Member of Guaranteed Irish
The Guaranteed Irish mark represents businesses that are committed to creating sustainable jobs, supporting local communities, and providing high-quality products and services. Kelsius embodies these values every day by developing and manufacturing products locally in Donegal and working closely with Irish suppliers to ensure that they contribute positively to the economy.
Gala Award Ceremony at the Mansion House, Dublin
The award was presented to Kelsius at the 2025 Guaranteed Irish Business Awards gala, held in the iconic Round Room at The Mansion House in Dublin.
Pictured Arlene Kenny, Viatel Technology Group with Keith Hicks, Kelsius, winner of Technology, sponsored by Viatel Technology Group at the 2025 Guaranteed Irish Business Awards, proudly supported by PTSB.
Accepting the award, Kelsius Corporate Account Director Keith Hicks said, “I am thrilled to accept the Technology Award on behalf of Kelsius. On behalf of the entire team, I’d like to thank Guaranteed Irish for this accolade. We are a very proud Guaranteed Irish member company and we’re extremely grateful for this recognition, especially in the company of so many other leading and innovative Irish businesses.
“This award is all the more important to us as our technology supports a range of indigenous Irish companies who we help to protect the safety and security of their food, medicines and other products every day. We’re delighted to play our part in helping other Irish companies to grow and compete.”
On average, each property saves three hours per day for all food staff
Hastings Hotels is a luxury hotel group operating six hotels and a stand-alone Gastro Pub, Cultra Inn, situated on the Culloden Estate in Northern Ireland, serving a wide range of prepared and fresh food to its customers. These seven properties offer guests an impressive choice of venues, catering across leisure, events, sporting pursuits and gourmet dining.
Challenges Faced by Management and Chefs
Hastings Hotels faced the challenge of managing food safety and HACCP records across multiple locations. Larger properties like the Grand Central and Europa Hotels have different areas for multiple kitchens, bars, delis and large catering spaces, all requiring up to date records to be kept.
Management had little oversight of all food safety records, with a paper process that was prone to errors, and too much time was spent on recording data rather than providing the best guest experience.
Chefs spent too much time reviewing paper records and manually recoding temperatures across different kitchens and floors. Stock was being lost due to no notifications of faulty appliances, and there was little traceability for food.
Introducing the Kelsius System
The Kelsius FoodCheck 2.0 system was introduced into operations at Hastings Hotels. With the system now in use in their properties, management has more confidence and peace of mind as audits and inspections are easier. Reporting is streamlined and it’s much easier to train any agency staff who are required ad hoc.
Digital traceability means better transparency and accountability, with no risk of falsification or mistakes due to human error. Automated alerts have hugely reduced the risk of food waste due to temperature excursions, improving the shelf life of products.
Benefits
Three hours saved per day on average per property by all food staff
Estimated £2000 per year per property saved on wasted food
Four hours per week saved by management using automated report
Paper, ink and folders used reduce to zero
Food safety training time reduced by half
90% estimated reduction in mistakes caused by human error
Raymond Duncan Compliance, Operations & Procurement Manager, Hastings Group:
“Using the Kelsius system, I have peace of mind knowing all food safety processes are being adhered to. The automated system minimises human error and it’s so much easier for management to remotely identify trends or gaps in any hotel and act in real time. Our EHO loves the system as it gives them full visibility of our processes, in turn they are more confident in us to maintain outstanding food safety for our guests. We’re delighted with the system.”
