Fatherson Bakery, Greggs and Nairn’s Oatcakes have been recognised at the 2020 Food Manufacture Excellence Awards.

Edinburgh-based Nairn’s, the UK’s largest oatcake producer, took home two awards from the ceremony, held at the London Marriott Hotel in London’s Grosvenor Square last week.

It was awarded the title of Free-From Manufacturing Company of the Year (Large Company) and Food Manufacture Company of the Year (Large Company).

Nairn’s has continued to expand its oat-based range, launching 18 new product lines in the past two years, and recently invested £6.5m in a larger, gluten-free bakery. In FY 18/19 the company achieved sales growth of 11.4%, with its wheat-free/core range up 4.4% and gluten-free up 23.6%. Export sales have risen by 62% in the past three years and the firm now exports to more than 30 markets.

The accolade for Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year (Large Company), went to Greggs, which in 2016 embarked on a £100m investment programme to reshape its supply chain and improve product quality. Last year, it completed new manufacturing platforms for bread rolls in its Manchester and Enfield sites, doughnuts in Newcastle and cream cakes in Leeds and extended distribution capacity at its Treforest site in south Wales.

Fatherson Bakery took the award for Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year (Small Company). Warwickshire-based Fatherson supplies loaf cakes, sponges, cupcakes, butterfly cakes and traybakes to more than 1,500 stores across the UK. It has recently redesigned its brand to become a premium category player and is aiming to achieve double-digit increases in the next few years.

“We are so proud as a team to win this prestigious Bakery Manufacturing Company of The Year Award,” said Fatherson owner and managing director Laurence Smith. “This award would never have been possible without the passion, drive and commitment from everyone at Fatherson, so a big thank you to the whole team.”

The 2020 Food Manufacture Excellence Awards are judged by a panel of experts chaired by food industry veteran Geoff Eaton.

“The decisions made by the distinguished and independent judging panel, who draw on a combined 150 years of experience in technical and operational functions, clearly carry considerable weight and command respect,” said Rod Addy, editor of Food Manufacture. “Anyone who receives a trophy should be proud of that fact.”

The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards are organised by William Reed Business Media, the owner of British Baker.

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