Food Manufacture Excellence Awards: how to enter

The 2021 Food Manufacture Excellence Awards are sponsored by Dawn Foods, Fowler Welch, Foodex, Foodman Jobs and The Ingredients Show and supported by associate sponsor KDH Projects. They are now in their 20th year and exist to highlight and reward excellence in food processing. For that reason, the main focus for entrants is factory operations. This year will offer more than the usual cause to celebrate and will account for extraordinary performance in adapting and adjusting to the coronavirus pandemic.

Companies of whatever size can enter, including firms supplying other food manufacturers but they must have a UK food and/or drink factory. The deadline for entries is 14 September, so there's just under two weeks to put entries together.

Entrants seeking to win the overall Food Manufacture Company of The Year Award should enter one of the eight main categories, which are based on the category their products fit into. Drinks firms should enter the ambient category this year. Companies with a presence in several categories should pick only one. Entrants cannot enter more than one main category, but they may enter additional specialist categories. See below for a full category list.

New to the main categories this year is the Plant-Based Manufacturing Company of the Year, reflecting the increase in activity surrounding plant-based products. Entrants here can include all companies making meat-free or dairy-free products or plant-based meals, encompassing foods made from algae or funghi, whether they are certified vegan or not.

Main category entrants are required to stand out in at least three of the following areas: customer relationship building, quality assurance, environment & efficiency; skills development; and training & business development. Entries are scored on the basis of information provided but are limited in word length, so an overview rather than a huge amount of painstaking detail is sufficient. Finalists are discussed by the entire judging panel. Supporting evidence in terms of testimonials, documentation or data is optional, but could help sway the judges.

Winners don't have to be perfect, but what often sets them apart from finalists is their story, which may include overcoming exceptional challenges or adversity, tackling an important global or social trend or a strong sense of teamwork or innovation.

If you have any queries, please contact Rebecca George at rebecca.george@wrbm.com or call 01293 610422 or visit the official awards website.