The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards reflect world class manufacturing

“We’ve got world class manufacturing techniques here and also world class innovation,”​ said Clothier in this video interview filmed immediately after the presentation of the 2017 manufacturing Oscars. “What I have seen​ [in the judging process] reflects all those really strong values.”​

Commenting on his first experience as an FMEA judge, Clothier said: “It really enthused me about grass roots food manufacturing in the UK – something that’s going to be really important post Brexit.”​

Clothier said the award entries reflected the diversity of UK food and drink manufacturing business and their commitment to innovation. “What we have here is a variety of food producers, really good innovation, some really strong businesses coming through: small and medium-sized and really large businesses that are focused on innovation.”​

‘Really good innovation’​

That focus on innovation was an important pre-requisite to boosting both domestic sales and on the world market, he said. “Wyke Farms is trading in 164 countries now and everywhere I go around the world, people respect UK manufacturing.”​

In order to build on that respect and boost global food and drink sales, businesses need to develop a strong track record of environmental management. “Environmentalism will be one of the key points of difference going forward,”​ he said.

“It’s not going to be all about costs: it’s going to be about whole-life costs and costs to the planet.”​

Meanwhile, this year’s FMEAs will take place at the London Hilton on Park Lane, on Wednesday November 7. Read more about the 18th food and drink manufacturing Oscars here​ and how to register your interest in entering the awards here​.