Cream of the cake bakers

AN OLDHAM firm has been named the UK’s best bakery and confectionery manufacturer in the industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.

Park Cake Bakeries scooped the prestigious accolade at the Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2010.

The Hathershaw firm, which makes premium bakery and confectionery foods and supplies major retailers, had its achievements recognised in front of more than 400 industry guests at a gala awards ceremony at London’s Savoy Hotel.

Anne Allen, managing director of the Ashton Road factory, was presented with the award by TV presenter Chris Hollins and Jeremy Praud, a partner at award sponsor Lauras International.

The judges were particularly impressed with how Park Cakes, which was bought by Vision Capital from Northern Foods in 2006, had successfully returned a loss-making operation into profit in just three years.

They noted how the enthusiasm and dedication of staff and good management had helped achieve the turn around, while targeted investment in specialist new production lines had helped the company reduce its costs of production and improve the quality of its products at the same time.

The annual awards, run by Food Manufacture magazine, are the premier event in the UK food manufacturing calendar. Prizes are awarded across nine manufacturing categories, from best ambient and general groceries to best seafood supplier.

Rick Pendrous, Editor of Food Manufacture, said: “The Food Manufacturing Excellence Awards recognise and reward the UK’s very best food and drink manufacturing companies of which Park Cake is clearly one.

“They submitted a tremendous entry and an excellent demonstration of strength in category management, supply chain and quality assurance under difficult circumstances.

“We congratulate them on achieving the very highest standards in this competitive and fast moving industry.”