Clipper Teas bags top food and drink manufacturing Oscar

The Dorset-based business – part of Wessanen UK – won the Me and My Factory: Editor’s Choice Award in recognition of the excellence of its manufacturing plant at Beaminster at the awards celebration on Wednesday November 1.

The firm’s achievements were celebrated in front of hundreds of food industry guests, as site manager Anthony Buckton collected the award from Dan Dixon, sales director with category sponsor Foodex. They were joined on stage by awards host, English Rugby World Cup winner and former team captain Matt Dawson.

Clipper Teas has pioneered the UK development of organic, green and white teas and became the nation’s first Fairtrade tea brand, while championing the unbleached tea bag.

Lean manufacturing regime​

The business has had a busy year boosting operational efficiency through a new daily lean manufacturing regime and the installation of a new data management programme.

The next 12 months are likely to prove just as significant, as production moves to a new factory on its current site, further boosting efficiency and overall capacity.

The award, judged by the Food Manufacture Group editorial team, is made to the firm with the best record of manufacturing efficiency from those featured in Food Manufacture’s flagship Me and My Factory feature series.

The judges agreed: “Clipper Teas has displayed an impressive commitment to increasing productivity and efficiency at its Beaminster site. Achievements over the past 12 months include the daily implementation of lean manufacturing and the introduction of a company-wide data management program.”​

Ramona’s Kitchen​

A highly-commended award was made in this category to humus and falafel manufacturer Ramona’s Kitchen, based in Watford, Hertfordshire.

Finalists for the Me and My Factory: Editor’s Choice Award were Kendal Nutricare’s Ross McMahon, Nim’s Fruit Crisps’ Nimisha Raja, Troy Foods’s James Kempley and Windyridge Cheese’s Melvin Glynn.

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.

Thanks to 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​.

Meanwhile, read more information about the food and drink manufacturing Oscars here ​and learn how to register your interest for next year’s awards here​.