SK Chilled Foods triumphs in manufacturing Oscars

The north east-based manufacturer, based in Wynyard, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, won the ultimate accolade after first collecting the award for Chilled Food Manufacturing Company of the Year.

The firm’s achievements were celebrated in front of hundreds of food industry guests as the firm’s md Jeremy  Faulkner collected the award from Louise McReynolds, associate director with category sponsor Michael Page Engineering and Manufacturing. They were joined on stage by awards host, English Rugby Union cup winner and former team captain Matt Dawson.

SK Chilled Foods makes ethnic snacks and accompaniments for meals and own-label party food. The business prides itself on its new product development, technical integrity and services – factors that helped it achieve record sales of £60.1M in the year to September 2016.

Prides itself on new product development​

Core competencies include: frying, kettle cooking, baking and sauce creation backed by its production facilities and staff. Its ranges include dishes from India, Spain, Mexico and the Orient.

The FMEA awards’ independent judging panel – led by Paul Wilkinson, chair of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink – praised the firm’s relentless attention to detail in carving out its place in the highly competitive UK snacks market, estimated to be worth £119M a year.

“Every year, the judges’ challenge to pick out just one winner becomes a little more difficult,”​ said Wilkinson. “But this year SK Chilled Foods emerged as the judges’ top choice, thanks to its deep commitment to new product development, process innovation and customer service.”​

Finalists in the Chilled Food Manufacturing Company of the Year were: Bakkavor Hitchen Foods, Davison Canners, Edgmond Foods, Mash Direct and Troy Foods. This category was sponsored by KDH Projects.

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

Now in their 17^th​ year​

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

Food Manufacture​ editor and FMEA judge Rick Pendrous said: “Judging by the calibre of entries in this year’s food and drink manufacturing Oscars, Britain’s biggest manufacturing sector – food and drink manufacturing – is well placed to take on the challenge of making the best of Brexit’s opportunities while minimising its threats.”​

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, Training Programme of the Year, SME Innovation of the Year and Judges’ Star Performer.

The final two awards were for: Young Talent of the Year and the Me and My Factory: Editor’s Choice Award. Read more information about the food and drink manufacturing Oscars here​.

Meanwhile, watch out for more reports  – in words, photographs and video interviews – detailing all the winners and the award highlights at FoodManufacture.co.uk and in the December edition of our sister title Food Manufacture​.

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