Coca-Cola Enterprises wins manufacturing Oscar

The manufacturer received the award in front of hundreds of industry guests, as CCE’s vice president of supply chain operations Richard Davies collected the trophy from FMEA judge Jonathan Bayne, technical manager at Waitrose. They were joined on stage by the awards host and star TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith.

The FMEA awards’ independent judging panel – led by Paul Wilkinson, chair of National Skills Academy and chairman of Thorntons – were impressed by CCE’s track record of investment in its facilities, people, while meeting green targets launching new products.

‘Responded to consumer demand’​

The judges said: “Coca-Cola Enterprises has responded to consumer demand for more low- and no-calorie drinks, most recently with the launch of Coca-Cola Life.”​

The judges also highlighted the high quality of the firm’s awards entry. “CCE was a very strong entry, demonstrating progress across a range of criteria – from product innovation and manufacturing efficiency to its positive work with local communities,”​ they said.

The business employs about 4,000 people in England, Scotland and Wales. It has six manufacturing sites across Britain, producing more than 255M cases of soft drinks per annum. This year witnessed the 50th anniversary of CCE’s East Kilbride site and 25 years at its huge Wakefield site.

Carbonated drinks​

Last year, 39% of CCE’s products sold in Britain were zero or low-calorie drinks. By the end of the year, it has pledged to reduce the average calorie per litre in its range of carbonated drinks by 5%.

The business fought off stiff competition from fellow short-listed firms: Savse Smoothies and brewer Daniel Thwaites.

The top award of the evening – the prestigious Food Manufacturing Company of the Year​ award was collected by Dawn Meats, after the firm won the Environmental Initiative of the Year trophy earlier in the evening. The Dublin-based meat firm’s triumph followed Premier Foods’s success last year.

Meanwhile, why not take the first step to putting your firm among next year’s winners today?  Register your interest in the 2015 food and drink manufacturing Oscars here​.