Crumlin-based baker Brace’s Bakery scooped the Made in Wales Food and Drink Award this month.

The 109-year-old fourth-generation family-run business, which bakes 6,000 loaves an hour, was commended by judges for its “energy and originality” in a tough trading market.

It beat off stiff competition at the ceremony, held in Cardiff’s Mercure Holland House Hotel and run by Wales Business Insider magazine. This included Peter’s Savoury Foods, Hot Diggidy Dog and Burns Pet Nutrition.

Brace’s sales and marketing director Scott Richardson said: “This inaugural award is recognition of Brace’s forward-thinking adaptability and evolution alongside the company’s history, heritage and long-established reputation. Winning the award is largely down to our excellent and dedicated workforce."

The award win is one of many successes Brace’s has celebrated this year, following its £4m acquisition of bread baking giant Warburtons’ Newport-based production operation back in January.

In the last six months, Brace’s was ranked the highest Welsh company in The Sunday Times’ Profit Track 100 compilation, which lists the UK’s fastest-growing privately-owned businesses.

Last month, it made The Sunday Telegraph’s Britain’s Brightest Business supplement, celebrating 1,000 mid-sized UK companies that have thrived throughout the economic downturn.

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