The achievements of the Nottingham-based business were recognised in front of hundreds of industry guests, as Pork Farms’ general manager Sean Stewart received the award for Chilled and fresh foods manufacturing company of the year from Dale Fiddy, sales and marketing director with category sponsor NFT Distribution. They were joined on stage by awards presenter and TV Countryfile star Julia Bradbury.
The award judges – led by judging panel chairman Paul Wilkinson – praised Pork Farms as a “great turnaround story”.
‘Impressive management strategy’
The judges said: “Pork Farms showed some really impressive strategy management, reinvesting in its factories and winning new contracts.The business has been revitalised under its current owners, and proves that, even when working in mature market sectors, it is important not to stand still.”
Also shortlisted in this category were: Avondale Foods, Greencore Food to Go and Mash Direct.
Later in the evening, Stewart returned to the stage to collect the award for the Best use of food ingredients, sponsored by Thomas Lowndes and Co. Pork Farms’ “disruptive innovation” in devising a runny-centred warm-serve Scotch egg product won the judges’ praise.
‘Something quite new’
“It’s a brilliant innovation being able to achieve that on a commercial scale,” said the judges. “What they have done brings something quite new to the market.”
Also shortlisted in this category was David Berryman.
The winner of the overall title Food manufacturing company of the year was Premier Foods. Watch Premier Foods Simon Ellmore, Ashford Factory general manager, collect the top title here.
Read the full list of winners and shortlisted candidates here.
Meanwhile, could your food or drink manufacturing business challenge Premier Foods for the crown next year? Register your interest for next year’s FMEAs here.