Linden Foods Named 2012 UK Manufacturer of the Year
Northern Ireland-based meat processor Linden Foods has been named UK Manufacturer of the Year in the 2012 Meat Management Awards. Linden Foods beat off stiff competition from other manufacturing companies across the UK to win this prestigious national award. The win 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.
This is the latest accolade awarded to Linden Foods, which over the past five years has been recognised for its innovation and quality across its range of beef, lamb and rose 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, comments: “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.”
Part of Linden Food Group, Linden Foods is one of the UK’s leading processors of beefs, lamb and rosé veal products. It employs 500 people at its Dungannon plant, and has an annual turnover of £115 million.Linden’s customers include major retailers and companies within the catering trade throughout the UK and Ireland, such as Marks & Spencer; Booker, the UK’s largest wholesale cash and carry operator; and web-based gourmet butcher, Donald Russell.
The Linden Food Group is a market leader in the fresh meat processing industry, sourcing and processing top quality beef and lamb for customers throughout Europe. The group has an annual turnover of £300 million and consists of four companies: Linden Foods, Slaney Foods, Kettle Irish Foods and Irish Country Meats.
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Pictured are Gerry Maguire, managing director, and Elaine Willis, innovation and business development manager at Linden Foods.