Food manufacturing excellence awards
Premier Foods win big
Premier Foods topped off an already successful night by winning the Food manufacturing company of the year at the 2013 Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards.
The food manufacturer had already taken to the stage twice last Thursday (November 21), to pick up the Oscars for Ambient food manufacturing company of the year and Training programme of the year, when it won the ultimate accolade.
The judges, led by judging panel chairman Paul Wilkinson, said Premier Foods had “shown great skill in carrying out a major restructuring of its operation against a difficult backdrop, which has resulted in continuous year-on-year improvement.”
Watch our exclusive video, filmed moments after the awards ceremony, with Ashford Factory general manager Simon Ellmore to find out how the firm managed to turnaround the fortunes of its Ashford site – which faced closure in 2007.
The judges noted, on Premier’s Training programme award, that it had “managed to engage every member of the staff at all levels of the business”.
“It was great to see innovation in the training programme, which was quite quirky but effective,” the judges added.
To find out what other factors led to Premier Foods’ awards victories, click here.
Meanwhile, to find out all about the twists and turns that Premier Foods has experienced during 2013, view our account of the manufacturer’s year in pictures.
The other finalist in the ambient category was American Muffin Co.
Other finalists in the training programme category were: The Authentic Food Company, British Sugar and Tamar Foods.
PICTURE: Simon Ellmore (c) receives the company of the year award from Mark Lynch, partner at Oghma Partners (l) and award's host Julia Bradbury (r)