Five from Northern Ireland in Manufacturing Excellence

Five Northern Ireland companies and two young managers have been shortlisted for the 'Oscars' of the food industry, the Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2015. The prestigious awards are the most important in the food manufacturing industry's calendar and will be announced next month. The Northern Ireland finalists including major processors such as poultry specialist Moy Park, Northern Ireland's biggest company, andinclude a series of award winning smaller businesses including Hannan Meats, a supplier of Himalayan salt-aged beef and bacon, Sidney B Scott, a specialist in food ingredients and two leaders in potato, vegetables and convenience meats Mash Direct and WillowbrookFoods. Shortlisted in the Young Talent of the Year category are Mash Direct's commercial director Jack Hamilton and Seana Boyle, food technologist at Willowbrook Foods, the company is in the running for Judges' Choice. Hannan Meats is also listed in the Supply Chain Initiative of the Year category and SME of the Year. The awards, to be announced on 3 November, are organised by Food Manufacture, the market leading brand and recognised voice for the UK food manufacturing industry. With a leading monthly magazine, daily news website and a host of key industry events; Food Manufacture delivers the latest industry news and information to 1000's of senior decision makers from UK food manufacturing companies. Northern Ireland 2015 Finalists Chilled, Fresh & Dairy • Mash Direct, Comber, county Down • Willowbrook Foods, Killinchy, county Down Meat & Poultry • Hannan Meats, Moira, county Antrim • Moy Park, Craigavon, county Armagh Best New use of Food Ingredients • Sidney B Scott & Sons, Coleraine, county Derry Environment Initiative of the Year • Moy Park, Craigavon, county Armagh Supply Chain Initiative of the Year • Hannan Meats, Moira, county Antrim Young Talent of the Year • Jack Hamilton - Mash Direct, Comber, county Down • Seana Boyle - Willowbrook Foods, Killinchy, county Down Judges' Star Performer * Willowbrook Foods, Killinchy, county Down SME Innovation of the Year • Hannan Meats, Moira, county Antrim.