Worldwide Fruit has been honoured with a high commendation at the prestigious IGD Food Industry Awards for its supply chain excellence.

Pipped to the Ian MacLaurin award for supply chain excellence by Nisa Today's voice-pick system, the judges felt the competition was so tough that WWF should be awarded a highly commended ranking for its RFID system. The supplier had been asked by M&S to install RFID and so developed bespoke software that would not only track produce once it left the packhouse, but also that would work with WWF's own in-house systems and deliver benefits to the company as a whole. The system has proved so successful that many other M&S suppliers are using it as best practice.

WWF was also a finalist in the ECR UK award for on-shelf availability alongside Coca-Cola and BP, Coors Brewers and Robert McBride. Walkers Snacks won the accolade for a hopper it developed for use in Asda stores.

"One very clear theme has emerged across all categories and that is collaboration," said Joanne Denney-Finch, IGD ceo at the awards on Tuesday night. "We've seen everything from joint projects to enhance the efficiency of the supply chain and on-shelf availability, to working with suppliers on training initiatives and partnering on new product development. Even the young managers see collaboration as the key to solving the issue of health and obesity. All our finalists have demonstrated qualities which make our industry the hub of best practice."

The winner of The Grocer Cup for Outstanding Business Achievement is voted for by readers of The Grocer and was won by Asda ceo Tony de Nunzio for his outstanding contribution to the industry over the past year.

The awards were a sell-out event to an audience of 600 guests from across the food and grocery industry including company chairmen and ceos as well as trade organisation representatives.

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