ABP UK wins environmental food manufacturing Oscar

The winning business is part of the ABP Food Group, which works with a network of more than 35,000 farmers and contributes an estimated €1.3bn each year to rural economies.

The firm’s achievements were celebrated in front of hundreds of food industry guests as continuous improvement manager Lloyd Brakel collected the award from awards judge and Waitrose technical manager Jonathon Bayne at The Hilton on Park Lane in London on Wednesday, November 1.

They were joined on stage by awards host, English Rugby Union cup winner and former team captain Matt Dawson.

Sustainability at ABP UK drives two of the company’s five core strategies targeting the environment and efficiency: Doing More With Less and Smart Steps. The first initiative sets sustainability targets, including key performance indicators, for each site throughout the UK.

Cut its carbon footprint by 30%​

By 2020 the business has pledged to cut its carbon footprint by 30%, send zero waste to landfill, reduce water consumption by 50% while cutting energy consumption by 30% and electricity use by 40%.

ABP UK’s Smart Steps plan is dedicated to creating a clear and responsive supply chain using its lean manufacturing programme.

The FMEA awards’ independent judging panel – lead by Paul Wilkinson, chair of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink – praised ABP UK’s commitment to progress its environmental agenda.

The judges said: “ABP UK’s two environmental initiatives really stood out in a highly-contested category. Both schemes demonstrated its inspirational approach to environmental management and delivered significant, measurable and highly impressive results.”​

‘Two environmental initiatives’​

Finalists in the Environmental Initiative of the Year category were: Allplants, Edgmond Foods and Moss Valley Fine Meats.

The Food Manufacture Company of the Year was won by ethnic snacks manufacturer SK Chilled Foods​, after it first won Chilled Food Manufacturing Company of the Year.

The annual FMEAs, organised by William Reed’s Food Manufacture Group, now in their 17th year, have become the premier showcase for British food and drink manufacturing excellence.

Seven manufacturing awards​

This year’s FMEAs included seven manufacturing awards: Ambient Manufacturing Company of the Year, Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year, Beverages Manufacturing Company of the Year, Chilled Food Manufacturing Company of the Year, Dairy Manufacturing Company of the Year, Fresh Produce Manufacturing Company of the Year and Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing Company of the Year.

FMEA Oscars were also awarded for: Best New Use of Food Ingredients, Environmental Initiative of the Year, Supply Chain Initiative of the Year, SME Innovation of the Year and Judges’ Star Performer.

Thanks to all the FMEA sponsors: Columbus, DR Newitt, Lockton, Michael Page Engineering and Manufacturing, Celsius, Sanderson, SA Partners, PPMA and KDH Projects.

Read the full list of winners and finalists here​.

Meanwhile, more information about the food and drink manufacturing Oscars is available here ​and discover how to register your interest for next year’s awards here​.