Lockerbie dairy in the running for UK Best Factory Award
Arla Foods’ Lockerbie dairy is going head to head with some of Britain’s best factories in the 2012 Best Factory Awards.
Having being highly commended in the Judges Special Awards in 2011, Arla is hoping to go one better this year and win at least one of the three categories into which it has been shortlisted, these are Best Household and General Products Plant, Most Improved Plant and Judges’ Special Award. Being shortlisted means the site is automatically a contender for the top accolade.
The awards, which are run by Cranfield School of Management, are now in their 21st year and celebrate manufacturing excellence in the UK. As part of the shortlisting process, the dairy underwent a full day’s audit by the awards’ organisers.
“Nomination for these prestigious awards is a fantastic achievement and a reflection of Lockerbie dairy’s commitment to delivering the highest standards for our customers in addition to creating an environment in which colleagues can develop their full potential,” said Lars Dalsgaard, Arla’s supply chain director.
“The site has also set new benchmarks in terms of continuous improvement in line with the company’s LEAN agenda and has an impressive set of environmental achievements, including delivering its zero waste to landfill target,” he added.
Dr Marek Szwejczewski, director of the Best Factory Awards, commented: “All of the finalists are beacons of excellence, driven by the desire to improve and excel and are growing despite the flat British economy. Our awards aim to recognise their achievements and highlight systems and processes that others can learn from. The best factories in Britain are focused on delivering value to their customers, ensuring their employees are engaged and well trained; while also continually investing in their production facilities.”
Lockerbie dairy will find out whether it has been successful at the Best Factory Awards ceremony on 28 September at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London.
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.