North Down Group's Perry Donaldson accepts last year's Florette-sponsored Re:fresh Lifetime Achievement Award

Mark Newton

Florette re:signs to sponsor Re:fresh Awards

Florette UK, the UK's top-selling prepared salad and vegetable brand, will again be the lead sponsor of this year’s Re:fresh Awards.

Part of the Europe-wide Soleco Group, Florette's Re:fresh agenda will focus on the group's commitment to innovation, research, quality and marketing, coinciding with an important diversification for Florette; its launch of Heavenly Veg, a ready-to-steam prepared fresh vegetable range, complete with a wide-reaching TV and consumer advertising and marketing campaign.

Florette is focused on its success as brand leader within the sector, with a record of sustained growth which has consistently outpaced the category, as well as a proven history of product and marketing expertise.

Managing director Mark Newton said: "We are delighted to again sponsor the Re:fresh Awards. Apart from a superb opportunity to speak to all sectors of the industry, the event offers a chance to reward the many high achievers and unsung heroes in the dynamic fresh product category.

"This is an important time for Florette, with the launch of our Heavenly Veg range, the result of several years of research, investment, original packaging design and planning. Once again, Florette is showing our commitment to innovation and quality with a product which will revolutionise the category and excite consumers and retailers alike."

Florette recently completed a major factory expansion, doubling production at its Lichfield site and supporting its famous salad brand with an imaginative TV campaign designed to heighten brand awareness.

The company continues to develop and source high quality lettuce varieties from the UK and around the world for its expanding prepared salad range. Major growers in the UK are regularly suppliers of such products as Lambs Lettuce, not grown in the UK until Florette's initiatives with its growers in UK regions.

"Communication with our suppliers and customers has always been a priority at Florette, and Re:fresh offers us an ideal platform to speak to our friends across the business," Newton said. "We were very pleased to be part of the inaugural Re:fresh, and look forward to the 2005 event."