The Dublin-based company won the top title after first collecting an award for the Environmental Initiative of the year earlier in the evening.
The firm’s achievements were recognised in front of hundreds of industry guests, as Dawn Meat’s operations director (UK), Isla Roebuck, collected the award from category sponsor Oghma Partners’ partner Mark Lynch. They were joined on stage by the awards host and star TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith.
‘Excellent product innovation’
The FMEA awards’ independent judging panel – led by Paul Wilkinson, chair of National Skills Academy and chairman of Thorntons – praised Dawn Meat’s product innovation, category management and initiatives to raise employee skills as well as its commitment to environmental management.
“Dawn Meats stood out as a clear winner in the Environmental category but also showed excellent progress in other areas,” said the judges.
After a review of its environment operations, the firm achieved a 90% reduction in its thermal energy consumption at one site and 50% at others. The business also achieved large cuts in carbon dioxide emissions. “Dawn Meats has gone further than many others through initiatives such as wind turbine technology, the construction of a seven acre wetland and the building of a roof garden to improve biodiversity.”
Last year’s winner of the top trophy was Premier Foods.
Dawn Meats was also shortlisted in the category Meat and Poultry Manufacturing Company of the Year.
40 countries worldwide
The business was established in County Waterford, Ireland in 1980. Still in family ownership, the firm’s portfolio spans bone-in and boneless meat to frozen burger patties and ready to heat meal solutions. The firm exports meat products to 40 countries worldwide.
Also shortlisted in the Environmental category, sponsored by Chalcroft Construction, were The Fresh Olive Company, Hovis, Kelly’s of Cornwall, Moy Park and Samworth Brothers Distribution.
Meanwhile, Patrick Coveney, ceo of Greencore, won the coveted Food Personality of the Year title.
The new category – Young Talent of the Year – was won by Thornton’s production line manager Jodie Adcock.
Read the full list of FMEA winners and finalists here.
Don’t miss the chance to be among next year’s FMEA winners. Register your interest in next year’s competition today.
Meanwhile, watch out for full coverage of the awards, featuring video interviews and photogalleries, online, on Twitter (#Foodmanawards) and in our sister publication Food Manufacture.