“We made a point of highlighting the win to our external retailers such as Tesco,” Weston-Webb told FoodManufacture.co.uk on Friday July 19. “We have a fabulous brand and an outstanding commitment to customer service and winning these awards were endorsements of that achievement.”
Last year, the Birds Eye brand owner Iglo Foods Group first won the Frozen Foods Manufacturing Company of the Year award before going on to be crowned Food Manufacturing Company of the Year.
“These awards really counted for something,” said Weston-Webb. “There was a tremendous sense of pride that effectively we had been endorsed as the best food manufacturer in the UK – and that really counted for something.”
Craig Hamilton, supply chain director at Birds Eye Iglo who received the title, recalled the awards evening: “The over-riding feelings were surprise and pride. I had our heads of manufacturing with me, and I felt very proud as I went up to collect the award.”
Private equity ownership
Colleagues really appreciated the external recognition, said Hamilton. “We have seen a lot of changes at the Lowestoft factory – with the move to private equity ownership. We have a lot of good and very capable people who are dedicated to innovation, so it was good that their hard work and commitment to innovation was recognised by an external award.”
News of the firm’s double triumph reached about 5,000 people via its corporate publication Iglo News – distributed to its workforce throughout Europe – and the Lowestoft factory newsletter Scoresheet – which is widely read by workers friends and relatives.
“We will certainly be entering the awards again this year,” said Hamilton.
The judges praised Iglo Foods’ drive for growth in fish, vegetable and poultry products. “Iglo has not been afraid to grasp some really thorny issues and made significant inroads into them. Iglo is clear that it has to live its values to ensure its future success,” they said.
Share in the glory
Could your food and drink business share in the glory – or even win the top title in the 2013 Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards?
Entering the awards is straightforward and easy. To compete, simply complete an online entry form at: FoodManAwards or download a form from the same address to complete and return by post.
This year there are two new awards: the ‘Best use of food ingredients’ and ‘Supply chain initiative’.
They join five other special awards: Food Manufacturing Company of the Year, Training programme of the year, Environmental initiative of the year, Most innovative small food or drink manufacturer and Judges’ star performer.
There are also nine category awards – including: Ambient Manufacturing Company of the Year, Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year and Beverages Manufacturing Company of the Year. See the full list below.
So, is your food and drink business ready to take on the best of the best? Measure your company against the best in British food and drink manufacturing by entering the awards here.
Alternatively, contact Rebecca George on 01293 610 422 or at Rebecca.george@wrbm.com .
The awards will be presented at a glittering gala dinner at the London Hilton in Park Lane on Thursday November 21.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to vote for your food and drink manufacturing Personality of the Year here.
Awards categories
• Ambient Manufacturing Company of the Year
• Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year
• Beverages Manufacturing Company of the Year
• Chilled Foods Manufacturing Company of the Year
• Dairy Manufacturing Company of the Year
• Fresh Produce Manufacturing Company of the Year
• Frozen Foods Manufacturing Company of the Year
• Meat and Poultry Manufacturing Company of the Year
• Seafood Manufacturing Company of the Year
Special Awards
• Food Manufacturing Company of the Year
• Best new use of food ingredients
• Supply chain initiative
• Training programme of the year
• Environmental initiative of the year
• Most innovative small food or drink manufacturer
• Judges’ star performer
The closing date for entries is July 31.