The independent panel of judges – chaired by National Skills Academy chairman Paul Wilkinson – was presented with a very difficult task of selecting which food and drink manufacturers merited the most recognition for their achievements.
Other awards presented will include the Food Manufacturing Company of the Year, selected from the winners of individual sector categories; the Judges Star Performer, made to the company the panel felt deserved recognition for a particular area of its activities; and the Food Manufacturing Personality of the Year, selected by an poll of readers who voted online at www.foodmanufacture.co.uk.
The shortlisted finalists are listed below.
- Ambient Manufacturing Company of the Year: American Muffin Co; Premier Foods Ashford dry manufacturing site
- Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year: Allied Bakeries; Fletchers Group of Bakeries; Rich Products; and Tamar Food
- Best New Use of Food Ingredients: David Berryman; and Pork Farms
- Chilled & Fresh Food Manufacturing Company of the Year: Avondale Foods; Greencore Food to Go; Mash Direct; and Pork Farms
- Dairy Manufacturing Company of the Year: Dairy Crest; Windyridge Cheese; and Wyke Farms
- Environmental Initiative of the Year: Bernard Matthews; Coca-Cola Enterprises; Iglo Group; and United Biscuits
- Frozen Foods Manufacturing Company of the Year: Ardo UK; Iglo Group; Lewis Pie & Pasty Co; and Suncream Dairies
- Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing Company of the Year: Dawn Meats; Moy Park; and Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group
- Most Innovative Small Company of the Year: David Berryman; Mash Direct; and Windyridge Cheese
- Supply Chain Initiative of the Year: Avondale Foods; Iglo Group; and Thwaites
- Training Programme of the Year: British Sugar; Premier Foods Ashford; Tamar Foods; and The Authentic Food Company
Be among the first to learn who are the winners, by booking your place at the Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards. Contact Rebecca George on 01293 610422 or email rebecca.george@wrbm.com for ticket reservations. For more details about the awards click here.
Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards' chairman of judges Paul Wilkinson said this year's contenders were the best ever and sensational. He told FoodManufacture.co.uk why in this exclusive post-judging video.