Linden Foods, one of the UK’s leading fresh meat processors is celebrating after winning the first ever Agri-Food Innovation Award at last week’s UTV Business Eye Awards with Flybe.The newest category in the awards’ seven year history, the Agri-Food Innovation Award reflects the strength and growth of the Northern Ireland agri-food and food processing sectors.
Gerry Maguire, Managing Director, Linden Foods said: “To be recognised as an innovator in our sector is a great achievement and is testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team at Linden Foods - from product development through to our production line who strive to achieve superb results for the business each day.
"It is also an indication of the value and importance of the agri-food industry that we can command our own award category for the first time this year and I congratulate our fellow nominees for the contribution they make to this growth sector."
Linden Foods has established an enviable reputation in recent years as an innovator creating and delivering new products for a host of high street retailers that are well ahead of current market trends.
The market leading meat processor also innovates in its business practices. This year Linden Foods launched Green Track, a sustainability programme dedicated to responsible and sustainable business practices, while in August, they were the first company in Northern Ireland to achieve a Quality in Credit Management (QICM) accreditation from the Institute of Credit Management.
Editor of Business Eye and chair of the judging panel, Richard Buckley added: "Linden Foods stood out in this category as a forward-thinking, well-led business whose innovation continues to have an enormously positive impact on securing new business be it at home or abroad and I congratulate them on their continued success."
Companies shortlisted in the Agri-Food Innovation Award category were: Dunbia, Wilsons Country Heavenly Tasty Organics, Glens of Antrim Potatoes, Irwins Bakery and Linwoods.
Linden Foods, employs over 700 people and is one of the UK’s leading processors of beef, lamb and rosé veal products. Customers include retailers and companies within the catering trade throughout the UK and Ireland, such as, Marks & Spencer and Lidl and Morrisons.
