Willowbrook Foods ‘top of the crops’ at UK Food Manufacturing Awards.
County Down-based vegetable and salad business Willowbrook Foods has been named the UK Fresh Produce Manufacturing Company of the Year at the UK Food Manufacture Excellence Awards (FMEAs).
Based on the shores of Strangford Lough near Killinchy and established in 1968, Willowbrook Foods is Ireland’s largest bagged-salad processor and supplies some of the UK and Ireland’s largest retail, ingredients manufacturers and foodservice providers.
Under the leadership of founder and Managing Director John McCann MBE, the business has achieved impressive growth in recent years. Turnover has climbed from £21.2M in 2015 to £25M last year and £28M in the 2017 financial year. The company’s turnover currently stands at £33m year to date.
The FMEAs’ independent judging panel praised Willowbrook Foods’ double-digit turnover growth and export success.
Managing Director John McCann MBE said: “We are delighted to have been honoured with this award as we were up against firm competition from food companies from across the UK. An accolade such as this is reassurance to our customers that our product range is of the highest quality and proof of the ambitious nature of our business.”
“We remain focused on growing our presence across the UK and Ireland by delivering the very best in fresh foods, from mashed potato to bagged salads, prepared vegetables to salad bowls. Innovation is at the core of our business as we seek to create convenient, high-quality solutions to meet the needs of the retail and foodservice sectors.”
The company’s achievements were celebrated in front of hundreds of food industry guests, as Colin Stanley of Willowbrook Foods collected the award from Jon Poole, chief executive of the Institute of Food Science & Technology. They were joined on stage by awards host, English Rugby Union cup winner and former team captain, Matt Dawson.
The annual FMEA’s, organised by William Reed’s Food Manufacture Group are in their 17th year and have become the premier showcase for British food and drink manufacturing excellence.
