Jordans’ cereal success manufacturing Oscar win

The firm’s success was recognised in front of hundreds of food and drink manufacturing sector guests with the FMEA trophy at the start of a glittering awards celebration hosted by star TV presenter Carol Smillie.

The Jordans & Ryvita Company’s head of operations Mike Dalton received the award from Waitrose food technologist and FMEA judge Jonathon Bayne.

The Biggleswade-based manufacturer, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods, achieved strong export success over the past five years – boosting exports by 60% to reach £90M.

Higher factory output

The FMEA awards’ independent judging panel – led by Paul Wilkinson, chair of National Skills Academy for Food and Drink – praised the firm’s relentless commitment to product innovation and impressive record of capital investment linked to higher factory output.

One judged remarked: “New product development, process improvement and capital improvement – Jordans more than ticked all the boxes, with its track record of success over the past year and the level of detail provided to prove that achievement.” 

Jordans beat off stiff competition in the Ambient category from five other manufacturers, including: Alara Wholefoods, Kolak Snack Foods and Weetabix. Read the full shortlist in the box below.

Full shortlist

Last year’s winner of the ambient category was sports nutrition firm Glanbia Performance Nutrition.

Meanwhile, the overall coveted title Food Manufacture Company of the Year was won by Mash Direct after it won the Chilled and Fresh category earlier in the evening. Mash Direct was selected for its new product development, category management and production efficiencies.

The Food Manufacture Personality of the Year title went to 2 Sisters Food Group technical learning and development manager Janette Graham for her pioneering work in developing the government’s new Trailblazer apprenticeship programme for the food and drink sector.

This year’s Venice­-themed FMEAs award ceremony took place on the evening of Wednesday, November 2.

Don’t miss the full list of winners and finalists.

Meanwhile, if your business could rival the achievements of our winners and finalists, why not register your interest in next year’s Food Manufacture Excellence Awards?