Ginsters wraps up two manufacturing Oscars

Ginsters’ success was recognised in front of hundreds of food and drink manufacturing sector guests with the FMEA trophy at an awards ceremony hosted by star TV presenter Carol Smillie.

The firm’s production director Richard Bain received the Bakery award from food industry consultant and FMEA judge Jean Feord Marshall.

The west country business, a subsidiary of Samworth Brothers, has carved out a market leading position in the savoury pastry category, which is now worth more than £920M in retail sales. With a workforce of 500, the business is one of the largest employers in Cornwall.

Ginsters contributes more than £14M to the local economy, sourcing more than 9,500 raw ingredients from Cornwall including 2,500t of Cornish beef.

The FMEA awards’ independent judging panel – led by Paul Wilkinson, chair of National Skills Academy for Food and Drink – lauded the firm’s dedication to sourcing local ingredients, its focus on healthier eating and self-proclaimed mission to “delight customers”.

‘Strong all over’

Its winning entry demonstrated a track record of productivity improvements matched by investment in developing the skills of its workforce. One judge summed up Ginster’s achievement with the comment: “Strong all over”.

Ginsters fought off fierce competition in the bakery category from five other manufacturers, including: Premier Foods, Rise Bakery and Addo Food Group. Read the full shortlist in the box below.

Last year’s winner of the bakery category was Premier Foods (Mr Kipling) – aided by its edible poster campaign.

Ginsters also won the Supply chain initiative award, for its innovative forecasting system. This award was presented by Dale Fiddy from NFT Distribution Operations. Other finalists int this category were: Aston Manor Cider and Moy Park.

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.

Production efficiencies

Mash Direct was the judges’ choice 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.

Meanwhile, read the full list of winners and finalists here.