Cream of the crop

Arla Foods has won two major honours in The Grocer magazine's annual awards following nominations by its retail customers.

For the first time, Arla is The Grocer's dairy and yellow fats branded supplier of the year.

In addition, for the fourth successive year, the company is The Grocer's best own label dairy and yellow fats supplier.

Arla will go through to the final of The Grocer Gold Awards in London where the best overall branded supplier and own label supplier of the year will be crowned at the ceremony on June 13.

Simon Stevens, business group director for commercial, called it great news, especially the breakthrough in the branded sector: "The awards are the most important in the industry as they are voted for by our customers," said Simon.

"Buyers voted for companies which have proved their worth by providing fantastic brands and growing sales, as well as demonstrating true commitment as business partners, willing to tailor their services to the needs of each individual customer.

"The fact that we continue to lead the own label category also shows the high regard our customers have for us.

"It is thanks to the hard work of a lot of people that we are now in the running to be voted 'best of the best' for the supply of both branded and own label products."

Arla Foods UK plc is home to some of the UK’s leading dairy brands including Cravendale, Lurpak and Anchor. Processing approximately two billion litres of milk a year Arla continues to be one of the UK’s leading dairy companies and a supplier of fresh liquid milk and cream to the top seven retailers.

Over 2,500 daily deliveries are made directly to stores nationwide and Arla brands can be found across the dairy category. As well as the leader of the butter, spreads and margarine sector, and a major supplier of other added value products including flavoured milk and cheese, Arla continues to build working relationships with Arla Foods Milk Partnership, a unique group of dairy farmers, which supplies around 90 per cent of Arla's total milk requirements.

Behind this leading business is a team of circa 2,800 people across the UK located at our dairies, distribution centres and head office.