Northern Irish meat company is manufacturer of the year

Northern Ireland meat processor Linden Foods has been named Manufacturer of 2012 in the prestigious Meat Management Awards.

Linden Foods, based at Dungannon, County Tyrone, beat off stiff competition from other manufacturing companies across the UK to win the national award which was presented at a glittering awards ceremony in London.

The recognition comes after the opening of Linden Food's £10 million state-of-the art retail packing and product development facility in Dungannon in 2011.

The Meat Management Awards, which are held annually, acknowledge the achievements and set the benchmark for excellence in the UK meat industry. Hundreds of industry leaders and aficionados of the food and drink world attend each year.

Almost 350 guests came together to celebrate the winning companies, products and organisations.

The results for all 16 award categories were presented by former England rugby star and presenter Martin Bayfield.

The award is the latest accolade awarded to Linden Foods, which over the past five years have been recognised for innovation and quality across its range of beef, lamb and rosé veal products.

The award also coincides with the launch of a number of new products this year including a mini burger and kebab range in the run up to the lucrative barbecue season.

Gerry Maguire, managing director of Linden Foods, says: "We are delighted to have won this prestigious award which is reflective of the huge amount of passion we have for our business.

"We are committed to providing our customers with a range of exciting new products that are well ahead of current trends within the food retailing sector.

"The phenomenal growth we have experienced as a business in recent years is testament to this philosophy and gives as a platform for further growth."