Mash Direct wins major award for manufacturing excellence


Northern Ireland's Mash Direct, a specialist in convenience foods processed from potatoes and vegetables, has been voted the UK's Chilled Foods Manufacturer of the Year in the prestigious Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2011.



The company, which was launched in 2004 as a farm diversification project by Martin and Tracy Hamilton and is based on the family farm at Comber in County Down, has gained a series of awards for its innovative products including UK Great Taste Awards.



Mash Direct gained one of 14 awards for excellence presented by Food Manufacturing magazine at a gala event for the food industry in London. Three other Northern Ireland food companies were shortlisted for the final judging stage.



The others were:



Genesis Crafty, a craft bakery from Magherafelt, County Derry (Bakery Manufacturer of the Year);



Willowbrook Foods, Killinchy, County Down, a manufacturer of convenience meals from potatoes and vegetables (Fresh Produce Manufacturer of the Year); and



Finnebrogue, Downpatrick, also from County Down, a processor of pork and venison (Meat and Poultry Manufacturer of the Year).



More Northern Ireland food manufacturers reached the final stage this year than from any other UK region.



The overall Food Manufacturer of the Year was Weetabix and other category winners included United Biscuits, Young's Seafoods, Becketts Foods and IPL Normanton.



The Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards, now in their 11th year, provide a benchmark for all companies wishing to aspire to world class standards in food excellence.



The awards are dedicated to recognising and rewarding the very best food and drink manufacturing companies across the UK. They honour and highlight those companies that have displayed progress and achievements through their manufacturing process in what is a competitive and fast moving industry.



These awards differ from other industry awards in that they recognise the manufacturing achievements rather than end products.



The awards highlight success in all areas of the manufacturing process including new product development, category management, quality assurance, supply chain improvement, environmental management, process innovation and human resource development.



Mash Direct is now a leading supplier of convenience foods to grocery retailers throughout the UK and Ireland. In addition, the company has won business in the US and is developing sales to foodservice organisations. Mash Direct has a commitment to innovation and recently launched new mash pots for quick and easy meals and a range of premium potato-based meal accompaniments.