Not every achievement fits neatly into the framework of an industry awards scheme. But excellence deserves recognition -- especially when it's achieved against the odds.
That's why the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards judges this year decided to instigate a special award for one company that would otherwise not get its fair share of the limelight.
This year, by a unanimous decision, that company was Pinguin Foods, for the remarkable turnaround it has achieved in rescuing a former Albert Fisher frozen vegetable site at Kings Lynn, Norfolk, from closure.
Pinguin Food UK was established in June 2002 when its Dutch parent company, Pinguin NV, took over the Kings Lynn operation. The first 12 months were spent "putting the basics in place". In the past year, while continuing to invest in infrastructure and systems, the company has put huge effort into product innovation.
This has included the launch of the first Pinguin UK branded product: Pinguin Convenience Cuisine garlic & basil peas, which are listed in Sainsbury.
It also launched 'Steam' cook microwave sachets -- ahead of Birds Eye's own 'Steam Fresh' version. And it was the first to move the steam-cooking concept up a notch with the launch of microwave vegetables with herbs and butter.
In all over 20 genuinely new lines have emerged from the Kings Lynn site over the past 18 months.
At the same time, £1.4m has been spent improving manufacturing and packing facilities, with the aim of making this one of Europe's leading frozen vegetable factories.
Pinguin achieved a 17% year-on-year increase in processed pea volumes in 2003, bringing the total to 24,000t. This was a record for a site which first began processing peas in 1975. The gains were attributed to better planning, greater communication and stronger relationships with growers, as well as capex and engineering projects.
Engineering improvements for 2003/4 included the relining of water storage areas, new belts and runners on two key processing lines, increased condensing capacity and full automation of refrigeration plant. And human resources issues have not been neglected either while the nuts-and-bolts work has been under way.
"For Pinguin to take on that sort of commodity vegetable processor and make a success of it is one hell of an achievement," said one judge.
Category: Judges Special Award