UK exotic produce company Wealmoor has been named the UK's leading fresh produce importer at the annual Re:fresh awards, held last night (13 May) in London.
Despite a series of setbacks in the past few years – including a devastating fire at its main packhouse and office facility in 2007 and the death of its chairman and founder, Rati Dhanani, just last month – Wealmoor has grown its turnover to more than £120m and become a leading name within the UK import trade.
Picking up the award for Fresh Direct Overall Produce Trader of the Year, the Wealmoor team dedicated the victory to Mr Dhanani’s memory.
The 550-strong audience heard how he pioneered the export horticulture trade in Kenya during the 1960s.
With business partner Shambhubhai Patel, he established Kenya Horticultural Exporters and an airfreight market for beans and exotic vegetables in the UK, later introducing and developing a vibrant commercial trade for mangoes, papayas and other exotic fruits.
Other notable awards went to New Covent Garden Market-based Premier Fruits for Capespan Wholesaler of the Year and Morrisons for the QV Foods Multiple Retailer of the Year, while Brian Madderson, former MD of Dover-based shipping and port handling group George Hammond picked up the Florette Lifetime Achievement Award.
Below is a full list of award recipients:
Lifetime Achievement - Brian Madderson
Overall Produce Trader - Wealmoor
5 A Day Supporter - Capespan
Innovation - Greenvale AP
National Foodservice Supplier - Reynolds catering Suppliers
Regional Foodservice Supplier - Allison Riseboro
Processor - QV Foods
Wholesaler - Premier Fruits
Retail Florist - Diana Kaye
Packer - FW Mansfield & Son
Importer - Wealmoor
Multiple Retailer - Morrisons
Convenience Retailers - Budgens
Retail Market Trader - Brian Cleaver and Daughter
Independent Retailer - Wareings of Tarleton
Marketing Campaign - Albert Bartlett
Young Person - Rebecca Dawson
