Coca-Cola youngster adds fizz with manufacturing Oscar win

Kodi’s achievements were celebrated in front of hundreds of food industry guests, as she collected the award from Alix Hunter, senior online sales executive with category sponsor FoodManJobs. They were joined on stage by awards host, English Rugby Union cup winner and former team captain Matt Dawson.

The youngster joined the firm’s Wakefield site in August 2015 and is now working for a Level 3 in electrical engineering, while studying at a local college.

The Young Talent award has quickly become one of the most challenging categories for the judging panel. Awarded to a person under the age of 25, the Young Talent of the Year trophy celebrates the young man or woman who shows the best potential to become an industry leader of tomorrow.

Her work as an electrical engineer​

In a very competitive field, Kodi stood out as a woman who is carving out a successful career in engineering. Her work as an electrical engineer has made a big contribution to an automation project that has saved 7t of carbon dioxide emissions and £14,000 over four years.

The judges were impressed by evidence of her positive attitude and eagerness to learn, combined with a proven track record in improving manufacturing efficiency.

Also shortlisted in this category were: Amelia Browning, PrepWorld, Adam Buckler, ABP Shrewbury and Cordel Wickham, ABP Langport.

The overall award Food Manufacture Company of the Year was snapped up by County Durham-based ethnic snacks manufacturer SK Chilled Foods​, after it first won Chilled Food Manufacturing Company of the Year.

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

Now in their 17^th​ year​

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 and 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.

An award was made for best food or drink manufacturing plant featured in our sister title Food Manufacture’s flagship series Me and My Factory.

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

Read the full list of winners and finalists here​.

More information about the food and drink manufacturing Oscars is available here.​ Register your interest for next year’s awards here​.