Press Release: SSI backs winners at the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards!

12/07/2007

Two SSI customers were shortlisted for the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards in the Bakery category: Giles Foods and Bells of Lazonby. The winner of the category was Bells of Lazonby, and Operations Director Philip Callaghan accepted the award at the Gala Awards Dinner in London on 7th November.

These awards, organised by Food Manufacture magazine, are hotly contested by UK food manufacturers who must demonstrate, to an independent panel of experts, their excellence in category management; marketing and NPD; supply chain; quality assurance; health safety and environmental management; process innovation and human resource development. To be shortlisted is a tremendous achievement and we would like to congratulate all the successful entrants.

SSI sponsored the award presented in the Fresh Produce category, which was won by Stubbins Marketing. The judges described the team as “doing a super job in working with retailers to better understand them. Stubbins’ ethical trading and integrated objectives with majors were really strong.” Peter Turone, Commercial Director accepted the award from SSI Managing Director Trevor Lewis on behalf of Stubbins Marketing.

Trevor Lewis says “"Food manufacturers, processors and packers have to operate in a more demanding commercial environment that ever before: more consumer choices, more product ranges, shorter timescales, a global supply chain, immensely powerful retailers and stringent legislation.

"These Awards celebrate those food manufacturers that not only operate successfully in this demanding environment - they excel. SSI supplies computer systems that help food manufacturers, but success ultimately depends on the management and staff of these companies to apply their expertise and the tools of their trade to achieve great things.”

The 7th annual Food Manufacture Awards gala dinner was held at the London Marriott hotel, where over 460 guests were entertained by Quentin Wilson as he announced the winners.

The full list of categories and winners is:

Food Manufacture Company of the Year
Winner: Arla Foods UK

Food Manufacture Personality of the Year
Winner: Helen Colley, managing director, Farmhouse Fayre

Ambient and General Groceries
Winner: Manchester Rusk Company

Bakery
Winner: Bells of Lazonby

Chilled Ready Meals and Prepared Foods
Winner: Pasta King

Dairy
Winner: Arla Foods UK

Fresh Produce
Winner: Stubbins Marketing

Frozen Foods
Winner: Green Gourmet

Meat and Poultry
Winner: Esca Food Solutions

Seafood
Winner: Lossie Seafoods

Judges Special Award
Winner: Yeo Valley Organic

Small Company of the Year
Winner: Pasta King UK

The Food Manufacture Skills Excellence Awards Apprenticeships
Winner: Craig Riches from Banham Poultry

Productivity Through Skills
Winner: International Cuisine

Diversity in Recruitment
Winner: Fosters Bakery (Staincross) 

It is expected that the 2008 Awards will be even more popular – if you would like to take part in any of the award categories, keep an eye on the Food Manufacture web site www.foodmanufacture.co.uk for news the 2008 programme, with entry details.

www.foodmanufactureexcellenceawards.co.uk