Small food firm has big win in manufacturing Oscars
Kent-based children’s health snacks firm Nim’s Fruit Crisps has gobbled up the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) trophy in the food and drink manufacturing industry’s Oscars – the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards (FMEAs) – during an awards celebration at The Hilton Park Lane hotel, in London.
Nim’s Fruit Crisps achievements were celebrated in front of hundreds of food and drink manufacturing sector guests with the FMEA trophy at a glittering gala ceremony hosted by star TV presenter Carol Smillie.
The firm’s ceo Nimisha Raja received the award from category sponsor Sanderson’s sales director Mike Gallagher.
The owner’s massive commitment to making the business succeed impressed the FMEA’s independent judging panel – led by Paul Wilkinson, chair of National Skills Academy.
Sold the family home
Owner Raja was so focussed on success, she sold the family home to raise money for a new 929m2 production facility in Kent, equipped with bespoke equipment.
As part of its mission to bring healthy products to the children’s market, Nim’s has moved production of its air dried fruit and vegetable crisps from Eastern Europe to the UK.
Nim’s believes that bringing production in-house gives the business control over its products from start to finish.
“This is relatively small scale firm with big ambitions,” said one judge. “It’s good to see a focus on childrens’s health snacks. Also the owner put their whole heart, soul and life – even selling the family home – to make this business thrive.”
‘Children’s healthy snacks’
The business beat three other shortlisted firms to win the trophy. Read the full shortlist in the box below.
Last year’s winner in the category was Winning Blend trading as Welsh Pantry.
http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Manufacturing/Food-manufacturing-Oscars-Meet-the-2015-winners
Meanwhile, the overall title Food Manufacture company of the year was won by Mash Direct after it won the Chilled and Fresh category earlier in the evening.
Mash Direct was the judges’ unanimous choice for its new product development, inspired category management and production efficiencies.
The Food Manufacture Personality of the Year title went to 2 Sisters Food Group technical learning and development manager Janette Graham for her pioneering work in developing the government’s new Trailblazer apprenticeship programme for the food and drink sector.
This year’s Venicethemed FMEAs award ceremony took place on the evening of Wednesday, November 2.
Meanwhile, for more information about the FMEAs, contact Food Manufacture group editor Mike Stones at Michael.stones@wrbm.com.
SME Innovation of award shortlist
• Alara Wholefoods
• Davison Canners
• Nim’s Fruit Crisps WINNER
• Rise Bakery
