News
FALFISH HAS WON A NATIONAL AWARD FOR FISH PROMOTION OF THE YEAR 2008
Falfish has won as national award for “Fish Promotion of the Year 2008” in a competition run by UK Fishing News.
The company put together a marketing campaign which helped create a new market for Cornish Sardines.
“Cornish Sardine, a UK Brand” emphasised the quality, sustainability, and health benefits associated with eating sardines, a fish high in omega 3 oils.
The campaign used local fishermen, from Newlyn, and traditional ring net methods of catching in and around the Mounts Bay area.
At first, the sardines were marketed and sold regionally, but are now distributed nationally via a leading supermarket.
Falfish representatives travelled to Edinburgh to receive the award in front of the fishing industry’s top companies, fishermen and dignitaries, including Charles Kennedy MP.
Falfish logistics manager Billy Dickson said: “As a company we are naturally delighted to have won this award, particularly when coming up against stiff opposition from some of the industry’s top organisations in their own back yard.
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FAL FISH NETS INDUSTRY EXPERT STEVE CADWALLADER AS TECHNICAL MANAGER
Cornish fish processing company Falfish has a fresh face amongst its 80-strong team to help further develop the firm as the south west’s leading independent supplier of seafood.
Steve Cadwallader has more than 20 years experience in the food industry.
He first started working with Falfish on a consultancy basis and helped the firm gain the coveted British Retail Consortium (BRC) standard, which has only been achieved by a handful of companies in Cornwall.
BRC is the stamp that large supermarkets and buyers look for when selecting their suppliers, meaning people up and down the country can enjoy Falfish products.
Falfish supplies WM Morrison Supermarkets with fresh, locally sourced seafood, as well as European outlets in Spain, Italy, France and Switzerland. The company has recently been awarded local supply to Tesco outlets in Cornwall and Devon.
Steve has the role of Technical Manager and is looking forward to a bright future with Falfish.
He said: “We’re looking to bring in skills for the staff and new equipment, which creates a potential for growth.
“We’re talking to our customers and they are keen to work with us so together we can offer a better quality product to the market whilst promoting sustainability.”
Steve has been leading the way with new product development, including sardine lines aimed directly at the consumer.
Steve said: “We are looking to make some big investments in our packaging equipment and products to add value to Falfish’s offering. We’ve had some very successful new product development and our focus now is to push the Cornish brand values.”
Steve moved to Cornwall just over three years ago as a consultant and has a host of food technology qualifications under his belt.
Steve qualified with a Biochemistry degree from Liverpool University and a Food Science Masters Degree from Leeds University. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology and a Chartered Scientist.
He has worked across the food and drink industry, including brewing, bakery, meat, fish and desserts, with clients and brands such as M&S, Waitrose, Pret a Manger, Cadbury’s, Newcastle Brown Ale, Theakstons and Holsten, to name a few.
Mark Greet, Managing Director of Falfish, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Steve has decided to join us. He has a phenomenal amount of expertise in the industry.
“We already have a superb relationship with our key customers and we hope that Steve’s involvement with Falfish as Technical Manager will help us develop even more.”
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FALFISH WINS QUEEN’S AWARD FOR ENTERPRISE
On 6th July 2006 Falfish was presented with the Queen's Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Lady Mary Holborow at the Falfish factory in Redruth.
The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are the UK's most prestigious awards for business performance, recognising and rewarding outstanding achievement by UK companies, which are announced on the 21st April each year, the Queen's personal birthday.
Falfish was recommended for the award because of its prestigious growth in export sales of fresh and multi-species Cornish fish and shellfish to markets in Western Europe over recent years; particularly to Italy, Switzerland and France who make up the majority of Falfish's international sales.
Mark Greet managing director of Falfish, commented, ‘For us, the Queen's Award for Enterprise is official recognition for the time and energy the whole company has put into creating what is one of the most successful seafood processors in the south of England.'
Also this year, Falfish achieved a British Retail Commission EFSIS award (European Food Safety Inspection Service), which is one of the UK’s highest industry standard accreditations.
Mr Greet concluded, ‘As the managing director of Falfish I am incredibly proud of the achievements made over the last 12 months and the award ceremony was a suitably auspicious occasion to celebrate not just the Queen’s Award but everything we’ve done.’
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FOREIGN SHORES; A WINNING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR FALFISH
On 18th May 2006 Falfish was crowned ‘Best Exporter’ at the Cornwall Business Awards 2006 for an increase in European export sales by 111 per cent since 2002 to £7.7 million, representing 67 per cent of its total sales.
The awards, which are in their inaugural year, encourage businesses from all sectors in the county to showcase their success in entrepreneurship and innovation. Judges included, Lord Edward George, former Governor for the Bank of England; Sir John Banham, former Chairman of Whitbread; David Brewer, Lord Mayor of London; Paul Myners, Chairman of Marks and Spencers; John Smith CEO of BBC Worldwide and Tim Smit from the Eden Project.
Falfish export markets include Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain and Belgium and attribute its success to a planned, bespoke approach to each one.
Mark Greet, Falfish managing director said, ‘Our approach to new market entry follows a consistent planning sequence. The outcomes arising from this process vary according to specific market conditions and we consider the flexibility of our response to these findings to be a key factor in achieving our export sales growth.’
This targeted approach has led Falfish to open a new office in Spain, through a wholly owned Spanish subsidiary, staffed by Spanish nationals. However in Italy Falfish sells to a leading supermarket chain and in addition has established a sales agency agreement with Ittigel, a long established family broker.
John Berry, managing director for Cornwall Enterprise, responsible for the Cornish Business Awards said, ‘Falfish is an exemplary ambassador for business success in Cornwall. This award recognises its vision, drive and determination when it comes to business opportunity and market insight.’
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ROYAL VISIT FOR FAL FISH
Falfish was visited by the Princess Royal in recognition of its expansion into the European export market, for which it was awarded the Queens Award for Export last year.
Her Royal Highness, accompanied by the county’s Lord Lieutenant, Lady Mary Holborow, was taken on a tour of the factory by managing director Mark Greet, where the Princess was introduced to company employees and witnessed the fish preparation processes involved.
Mark Greet managing director of Falfish said: "The visit from the Princess Royal this afternoon means a great deal to me and the staff and marks a culmination of years of growth and success in the export market, particularly Europe."
"The company’s long standing connection with local fishermen and sustainable fishing methods is something we expressed the importance of to the Princess Royal throughout her tour of the factory."
The event also included a cooking demonstration from chef and lecturer Gerry Boriosi and one of his students from Camborne College, who showed the guests how to cook a range of fish such as red mullet, crab and scallops.
The Princess was introduced to local politicians and dignitaries including Julia Goldsworthy MP, Cllr John Hayward, the Mayor of Redruth and Cllr Barry Manning, Chief Executive, Kerrier District Council. Other guests present were local suppliers, fisherman and customers from around Europe.
The day was celebrated by the whole company who enjoyed an evening party in the marquee on the Falfish site, with live music supplied by local band Mark 2.
"It’s not everyday you get a visit from a Princess, so you have to make the most of it. We are immensely proud of where we are today and that’s down to the whole company", concluded Mark Greet.
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Cornwall’s leading seafood processor since 1979
Cardrew Industrial Estate,
REDRUTH,
Cornwall TR15 1SS
Phone +44 (0) 1209 314111
Fax +44 (0) 1209 314888
e-mail: mail@falfish.com