Celebrating Success: Our Journey to Winning Awards in 2024

Made Smarter Greater Manchester Award 2024

Firstplay Dietary Foods was recognised with the Made Smarter Greater Manchester Award for the impressive digital transformation.

The Made Smarter Awards recognise UK SME manufacturers that have demonstrated excellence in digital transformation. These awards celebrate businesses that have adopted new technologies and digital practices to enhance productivity, efficiency and job enrichment. The awards are part of the Made Smarter adoption programme, a government-funded and    industry-led initiative aimed at helping SME manufacturers digitalise, decarbonize, and drive growth. The awards highlight the transformative impact of technology grants and leadership training on manufacturing SMEs.

The region’s manufacturing excellence was celebrated at Insider’s Made in the North West Awards 2024. The event recognised traditional manufacturers, as well as digital engineering, apprenticeship training schemes and sectors like food and automotive. The awards ceremony was held at Manchester Central with the headline sponsor being Made Smarter.

Firstplay Dietary Foods investment in automation technology has not only increased their production capacity tenfold but also significantly reduced human error and waste.

Tom Fletcher, Managing Director of Firstplay Dietary Foods, expressed his gratitude for the support received from Made Smarter. He highlighted how the partnership helped create a digital roadmap, invest in game-changing automation, and embed new digital leadership skills within the company. The Managing Director remarked, “Our partnership with Made Smarter has been incredible, and this award is the icing on the cake.”

The Made Smarter Adoption Awards celebrate the successes of manufacturing businesses that have embraced digital transformation. Firstplay Dietary Foods’ achievement is a testament to their commitment to innovation and excellence in the manufacturing sector.

Employer of the Year Award at the Stockport Business Awards 2024

We are thrilled to announce that our company has been honoured with the Employer of the Year Award at the Stockport Business Awards! This prestigious recognition underscores our commitment to creating a positive and supportive workplace for our employees.

The road to this achievement has been filled with dedication and hard work. From implementing innovative employee wellness programmes to fostering a culture of inclusivity and growth, our team has worked tirelessly to make our company a great place to work.

Winning this award not only elevates our company’s reputation but also opens up new opportunities for growth and collaboration. It’s a testament to the strong relationships we’ve built within our community and industry.

This award belongs to every member of our team. The team’s hard work, passion, and dedication have made this possible. Special thanks to our HR department for leading our employee initiatives and ensuring our workplace is inclusive and supportive.

As we celebrate this achievement, we are already looking ahead to the future. We are committed to continuing our efforts to improve employee satisfaction and to innovate in our industry. Stay tuned for exciting projects and initiatives on the horizon.

Impact Award at Insider North West International Trade Awards 2024

Firstplay Dietary Foods is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the prestigious ‘Impact Award’ at this year’s Insider North West International Trade Awards.

The event was held on 4^th December 2024 at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, and we are extremely proud and humbled to receive this honour.

We feel proud to be continuing Greater Manchester’s manufacturing and export heritage and this award is a testament to our teams’ dedication to serving those with medically restricted diets all over the world.  It is immensely gratifying to have our hard work and commitment recognised by such a respected body. As a Greater Manchester manufacturing business, we take great pride in exporting our products to the world and making a positive impact on people’s lives globally.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Insider North West International Trade Awards for this recognition and to our incredible team and partners who have made this achievement possible.