Food from Britain recognises true exporting talent with its annual export awards. Julian Hunt reports on this year’s winners
Burton’s Foods has emerged victorious in this year’s Food from Britain Export Awards which are run in association with The Grocer. Burton’s won the category for cereal-based exporter of the year and was named exporter of the year in the prestigious awards scheme. The company was praised by the judges both for its long-term commitment to developing markets - particularly in North America, Scandinavia and France - as well as for its outstanding professionalism within an extremely competitive sector.
In announcing Burton’s had won the top prize, FFB chief executive David McNair said: “It has excelled at all stages of the export process - in the planning, the execution and the marketing support. It is a prolific exporter.”
The awards are in their seventh year and recognise the export achievements of British food and drink companies.
For the second year running, own label specialist Ashbury Confectionery was named confectionery exporter of the year - again in recognition of the success it is achieving in some tough export markets.
Two very different companies were winners in two different categories, thanks in part to the fact they have one thing in common - a real passion for their businesses. That helped Bruichladdich Distillery win drinks exporter of the year and family-owned pâté specialist Patchwork Traditional Food Company win speciality exporter of the year.
A fantastic growth story ensured that British Seafood was a worthy winner of the award for seafood exporter of the year.
This year there was a new category for dairy exporter of the year, which was scooped by Dairy Crest International largely in recognition of the focused way in which it had launched Frijj yogurt drink in the Netherlands.
Dairy was a hotly-contested category and so was the section for grocery exporter of the year, which was won by a company praised for its commitment to new product development in the oils category - Aarhus United.
Frozen and chilled exporter of the year was Farne Salmon and Trout - which the judges said had demonstrated the importance of building strong customer relationships.
In some strongly fought categories, the judges thought it appropriate to award commendations and they went to fish exporter Shieldaig Export, to North Downs Dairy for the work done on its Pilgrims Choice brand and to preserves and jams specialist Mackays.
Scottish exporter of the year was Sco-Fro Lochabar; the Northern Irish exporter of the year was Dale Farm Ingredients; and Aarhus United was English exporter of the year.
HM Bennett was named Welsh exporter of the year in recognition of the work it had done putting meat exports back into Europe. And McNair said: “For the first time in a number of years I am delighted to be able to present an award to a meat processor and packer.”
The Juice Company won the award for marketing innovation on the strength of its innovative packaging and outstanding PR programme that had helped this small company build a global presence.
Finally, the award for international retailer of the year went to Swiss group Migros, in recognition of its continuing support for a number of leading UK producers.
FFB’s McNair told those gathered at London’s Hotel Intercontinental for the awards lunch, which included key exporters and food minister Lord Whitty, that the awards had again highlighted the commitment and professionalism of the industry.
“Confidence in UK food and drink exports is starting to return because the predicted recovery held firm for the first half of 2003. With sales up 12% on 2002, it shows producers are growing and sustaining their exports.
“The global market continues to expand, presenting new opportunities for British producers. Consumers around the world increasingly want to experience new British products, and many companies are applying innovative strategies to meet this demand.
“As many of you know, there are many challenges to face when building your export business. But as our winners illustrate, sheer determination certainly pays off in the end.”
McNair praised the high quality of the entries and added: “We were very pleased to see many first-time entrants from all corners of the UK and representing many different sectors. It was also encouraging to see many smaller companies breaking into new markets and achieving real success.”
Burton’s Foods has emerged victorious in this year’s Food from Britain Export Awards which are run in association with The Grocer. Burton’s won the category for cereal-based exporter of the year and was named exporter of the year in the prestigious awards scheme. The company was praised by the judges both for its long-term commitment to developing markets - particularly in North America, Scandinavia and France - as well as for its outstanding professionalism within an extremely competitive sector.
In announcing Burton’s had won the top prize, FFB chief executive David McNair said: “It has excelled at all stages of the export process - in the planning, the execution and the marketing support. It is a prolific exporter.”
The awards are in their seventh year and recognise the export achievements of British food and drink companies.
For the second year running, own label specialist Ashbury Confectionery was named confectionery exporter of the year - again in recognition of the success it is achieving in some tough export markets.
Two very different companies were winners in two different categories, thanks in part to the fact they have one thing in common - a real passion for their businesses. That helped Bruichladdich Distillery win drinks exporter of the year and family-owned pâté specialist Patchwork Traditional Food Company win speciality exporter of the year.
A fantastic growth story ensured that British Seafood was a worthy winner of the award for seafood exporter of the year.
This year there was a new category for dairy exporter of the year, which was scooped by Dairy Crest International largely in recognition of the focused way in which it had launched Frijj yogurt drink in the Netherlands.
Dairy was a hotly-contested category and so was the section for grocery exporter of the year, which was won by a company praised for its commitment to new product development in the oils category - Aarhus United.
Frozen and chilled exporter of the year was Farne Salmon and Trout - which the judges said had demonstrated the importance of building strong customer relationships.
In some strongly fought categories, the judges thought it appropriate to award commendations and they went to fish exporter Shieldaig Export, to North Downs Dairy for the work done on its Pilgrims Choice brand and to preserves and jams specialist Mackays.
Scottish exporter of the year was Sco-Fro Lochabar; the Northern Irish exporter of the year was Dale Farm Ingredients; and Aarhus United was English exporter of the year.
HM Bennett was named Welsh exporter of the year in recognition of the work it had done putting meat exports back into Europe. And McNair said: “For the first time in a number of years I am delighted to be able to present an award to a meat processor and packer.”
The Juice Company won the award for marketing innovation on the strength of its innovative packaging and outstanding PR programme that had helped this small company build a global presence.
Finally, the award for international retailer of the year went to Swiss group Migros, in recognition of its continuing support for a number of leading UK producers.
FFB’s McNair told those gathered at London’s Hotel Intercontinental for the awards lunch, which included key exporters and food minister Lord Whitty, that the awards had again highlighted the commitment and professionalism of the industry.
“Confidence in UK food and drink exports is starting to return because the predicted recovery held firm for the first half of 2003. With sales up 12% on 2002, it shows producers are growing and sustaining their exports.
“The global market continues to expand, presenting new opportunities for British producers. Consumers around the world increasingly want to experience new British products, and many companies are applying innovative strategies to meet this demand.
“As many of you know, there are many challenges to face when building your export business. But as our winners illustrate, sheer determination certainly pays off in the end.”
McNair praised the high quality of the entries and added: “We were very pleased to see many first-time entrants from all corners of the UK and representing many different sectors. It was also encouraging to see many smaller companies breaking into new markets and achieving real success.”
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