Midlands success as The Co-operative Farms announces its award winners
A potato packing plant near Tamworth and a farm on the outskirts of Leicester scooped the awards when The Co-operative Farms handed out prizes during its annual conference.
The potato packhouse at Langley Brook, in Middleton, near Tamworth, was named as The Co-operative Farm’s “Business of the Year”, while The Co-operative Farms at Stoughton Estate, near Oadby, as named the “Energy Business of the Year”.
They were selected from among 17 farms and packing plants that were considered for the awards, presented at The Co-operative Farms annual conference, held in Manchester.
Langley Brook employs around 50 people and packs in the region of 30,000 tonnes of potatoes each year, most grown by The Co-operative Farms and destined for sale in Co-operative food stores.
The Co-operative Farms Business of the Year winners: Humberto Martins, Julia Domingos, Tatyana Lukaseva, Hannah Wakelin, David Andrews, Neil Radford, Len Wardle, Jekaterina Lukaseva, Phideas Chauraya and Marlena Kowzan.
It was particularly praised for great strides made during the past 12 months, including increased efficiencies, greater profitability and very high “employee engagement” scores.
Among its successes were initiatives designed to help migrant workers from overseas, such as free English lessons, and a new canteen serving meals and snacks – including baked potatoes – built following consultations with staff.
Simon Woodhams, Operations Manager for The Co-operative Farms at Langley Brook, said: “The standard across all our farms and packhouses is very high, and so for Langley Brook to be named our Business of the Year is a great achievement, and one we’re all very proud of. It is a great reflection on the hard work of everyone here.”
The Stoughton Estate, a 4,500-acre arable farm, was named Energy Business of the Year, won in recognition of work to monitor and reduce energy consumption, such as diesel and electricity use, across farm buildings, machinery and in its operations.
Energy Buseinss of the Year winners: Chris Charlesworth, Nick Padwick, Chris Leighton, Len Wardle, John Farrington and Liz Palmer.
The award was judged by Fraser Scott, Head of Potato and Arable Operations at The Co-operative Farms. He said: “Combating climate change is a key priority for The Co-operative Group, and reducing our emissions and our energy use is an important part of that. The award recognises work our farms and packhouses are doing to use energy more efficiently, and Stoughton is a worthy winner.”
Both awards were presented by Len Wardle, Chair of The Co-operative Group Board.