Walkers Shortbread crowned ‘Food & Drink Exporter of the Year’ at Food from Britain Export Awards

It was a moment of anticipation followed by exhilaration as Walkers Shortbread beat off stiff competition from the UK’s best food and drink producers to become the ‘Food and Drink Exporter of the Year 2007’ at the prestigious Food from Britain Export Awards, in association with the Grocer magazine. The company also scooped the Scottish Exporter of the Year award, sponsored by Scottish Development International.

Walkers produces shortbreads, biscuits, cakes and oatcakes from original recipes for UK and overseas markets and thanks to a consistent, long-term strategy, now boasts the highest percentage of products exported in the UK biscuit industry to more than 80 markets worldwide.

‘We are overjoyed at winning this most prestigious of awards,’ commented Andrew Stokes, Export Manager at Walkers Shortbread. “Export activity is central to the success of our business, it is fully integrated into every aspect of what we do, so to be accredited at the Food from Britain Export Awards really is the icing on the cake. The whole team has worked so hard to make the international side of our business the success it is today, so I would like to thank them for all their efforts.”

Commenting on Walkers Shortbread, John Adams, Chief Executive of Food from Britain, commented: “Walkers Shortbread is certainly a worthy recipient of the Exporter of the Year award and the judging panel was impressed with its intelligent approach to exporting.  It is clear that exporting forms a solid part of the company’s strategy for growth and the decision to conduct business in the currency of its customer across 15 top export markets is testament to its success today. With authenticity, product quality and customer dedication at the heart of its vision, I have little doubt that Walkers Shortbread will have resounding international success in the future.” 

Now in their 11th successful year, the Food from Britain Export Awards bring together the cream of the country’s export companies to recognise achievements and celebrate success from across the UK’s food and drink industry.

The winners of the food from Britain Export Awards 2007 are:

• International Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Allworld Exhibitions) – Carrefour Group
• Food and Drink Exporter of the Year – Walkers Shortbread
• Food Exporter of the Year – Lossie Seafoods
• Drinks Exporter of the Year – Llanllyr Water
• Innovation in Export (sponsored by IFE 09) – Ford Farm
• New Exporter of the Year (sponsored by UK Trade and Investment) – The Big Squeeze Fresh Juice Company
• Private Label Exporter of the Year (sponsored by PLMA) – Greencore Grocery
• EU Protected Food Name Exporter of the Year – Shepherd Neame
• Export Inspiration (sponsored by Food from Britain’s Fast Track) – Alan Jack, Tyrrells 
• New Exhibitor of the Year (sponsored by Primo Group) – Daniel’s Chilled Foods
• Welsh Exporter of the Year (sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government) – Llanllyr Water
• Scottish Exporter of the Year (sponsored by Scottish Development International) – Walkers Shortbread
• Northern Irish Exporter of the Year (sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) – Pritchitts 
• English Exporter of the Year – The Feel Good Drinks Company

Notes to editors:
Food from Britain (FFB), the market development network for British food and drink companies, helps build UK and international business for food and drinks manufacturers.  FFB, funded by industry and government, works annually with 750 UK food and drink producers.

20 December 2007