Food Manufacture Excellence Awards: Star performers

The shock news of a Brexit vote in the UK’s EU referendum on June 23 has only compounded the uncertainties facing the UK food and drink manufacturing sector. But it will impact a sector that has already come through a tough trading year.

The majority of respondents (60%) to Food Manufacture’s ‘State-of-the-industry survey’​ published in last month’s issue, expressed the view that Brexit would prove bad for their businesses. Some big players have remarked that the consequences of leaving the EU will mean that revenues will fall and costs will rise. But given the resilience of food and drink, it will continue to adapt to any new challenges it faces.

Whatever new challenges confront the sector, it is inevitable that the relentless pressure on food and drink supply chains to reduce cost and waste will continue. At the same time, globalisation of food and drink will continue to focus attention on the sustainability, traceability and the cost of ingredients sourced from around the globe.

Strong innovative record​

As well as these big picture concerns, manufacturers of both branded and own-label food and drink will need to maintain their strong innovative record, giving consumers the tasty and healthy new products they seek to meet their busy and changing lifestyles.

And so to the 2016 Food Manufacture Excellence Awards, which are now in their 16th year. The Awards recognise companies that have gone that extra mile over the preceding year; those that have demonstrated flair and innovation, service and flexibility.

The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards recognise the stars of food and drink both companies and individuals. They will be announced at a sophisticated Venice-themed Awards evening, which takes place at the prestigious Hilton in Park Lane, London on Wednesday November 2.

The awards include eight individual categories, together with awards for ‘Best new use of food ingredients’, ‘Environmental Initiative of the Year’, ‘Supply Chain Initiative of the Year’, ‘Training Programme of the Year’, and ‘Young Talent of the Year’ now in its third year and even more important given the sector’s and government’s focus on skills shortages in manufacturing and food manufacturing in particular.

This year includes the launch of a new award within the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards: The ‘Me and My Factory Editor’s Choice Award’, selected from companies covered in the Me and My Factory section of Food Manufacture over the past year. The award will be made to the company the editorial team believes has made the most progress over the past year.

Outstanding​

Awards will also be made for ‘SME Innovation of the Year’ (typically a company that employs fewer than 100 people and has a turnover of less that £10M a year) and ‘Judges’ Star Performer’. This award will be made to the firm that, in the judges’ opinion, has been outstanding in one particular area of activity.

From the eight category winners, the judges will select the ‘Food Manufacture Company of the Year’. Last year, Moy Park took the prize for its leadership in the meat and poultry category. Europe’s largest poultry processor, which employs more than 12,000 people across four production sites in the UK and a further three overseas, was recognised for working practices such as its Meerkat Way safety programme. According to the judges, the Meerkat Way “perfectly captured”​ the company’s team spirit.

Judging criteria for the individual categories covers: category management; marketing and new product development; supply chain improvements; quality assurance; health and safety and environmental management; process innovation; and human resources development.

Once again, Food Manufacture readers will also vote for their ‘Personality of the Year’ from our shortlist of six candidates via an online poll​.

To find out more about attending the Awards evening on Wednesday November 2 at the London Park Lane Hilton, visit our website​, or email Rebecca George at: rebecca.george@wrbm.com or call her on: 01293 610439.

Meanwhile, meet the sponsors​ of this year's awards.