Food Manufacture has heard the pleas of those asking for more time in the midst of what has been a difficult time for an industry faced with a skills crisis and continued disruption from Brexit and COVID-19.
A host of big and small companies across all food and drink categories have already completed their entries for the industry Oscars, which reward excellence in manufacturing and there's just time for new entrants to state their case. For more information or to enter, visit www.foodmanawards.co.uk or contact Rebecca George on 01293 610422 or email rebecca.george@wrbm.com.
5 July 2021: Awards open for entry
20 September 2021: Extended entry deadline
10 February 2022, from 7pm: Awards ceremony, London Hilton Bankside
Remember, entries do not have to be perfect. They just need to have a strong story to tell. Read our handy guide on putting a winning entry together.
There are a total of 15 categories, including eight main categories. Only entrants in main categories have a shot at winning the overall Food Manufacture Company of the Year Award, but there's no obligation to enter a main category. Aspiring winners may instead want to focus on one particular area of their business because they believe they have considerable strengths in that area.
On the flip side, there is nothing to stop companies entering as many categories as they want, including more than one main category if they produce products in multiple categories.
New awards this year are the Sustainability Award, which rewards environmental achievements and sustainable operations, and the Future Talent Award, which recognises individuals offering real future potential for their businesses.
Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2022 sponsors
The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards have been running for more than 20 years. Previous overall winners have included meat processing giant ABP UK, breakfast cereal company Weetabix and food-to-go business Greencore.
Due to COVID-19 regulations, winners of the 2021 awards were announced in a virtual ceremony on 11 February. However, winners of the 2022 awards will once again be announced at a face-to-face networking dinner in London - this time at Hilton Bankside on 10 February 2022.