A multi-million pound salad grower and processor based in Co. Down has been named Fresh Produce Manufacturing Company of the Year at a prestigious industry awards.
Willowbrook Foods – Ireland’s largest bagged salad processor – won the accolade at the UK Food Manufacture Excellence Awards on Wednesday, November 1.
The annual Food Manufacture Excellence Awards are organised by William Reed’s Food Manufacture Group and are in their 17th year. The event has become the premier showcase for British food and drink manufacturing excellence.
The firm, which was founded by vegetable grower John McCann MBE in 1968, today supplies some of the UK and Ireland’s largest retailers, ingredients manufacturers and foodservice providers.
Humble beginnings
McCann began growing vegetables on his father’s land and started selling the produce in local markets.
Initially, Willowbrook Foods produced, prepared and packaged vegetables and soup mixes. However, after 10 years it secured its first major contract with Wellworths, which paved the way for its growth into a multi-million pound business.
The firm pioneered a new marketing strategy using own-grown farm vegetables, packaging them on-site for supermarkets.
Growth
The awards’ independent judging panel praised Willowbrook Foods’ double-digit turnover growth and export success.
In the last three years alone, sales have climbed from £21.2 million (€24.1 million) in 2015 to £33 million (€37.5 million) for the year so far.
McCann 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.”