Edwards of Conwy
Edwards of Conwy has worked with the Food Technology Centre since 2017 on a number of projects. Having purchased another production site in 2017 they needed to expand on their workforce in order to help with the demands of the new site.
BACKGROUND
Edwards of Conwy is a traditional Welsh, award winning Master Butcher and sausage and pie maker located in the beautiful historic World Heritage town of Conwy in North Wales.
Founder and master butcher, Ieuan Edwards, a farmer's son from the Conwy Valley, served his apprenticeship in the market town of Llanrwst. In 1984, after some years learning The Art of Butchery Ieuan, at the age of 20, opened his very own butcher's shop, determined to make it the best in the UK.
Edwards of Conwy has won multiple awards, being crowned Best Butchers Shop in Wales three times and presented with the UK wide Britain's Best Butcher title in 2014. To date, the company has won over 200 product awards.
Over all those years the company has remained true to its core values of quality, locally sourced Welsh products, pride in its heritage and support for the local community, using as many traditional methods and recipes as possible.
SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM FOOD TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
Edwards of Conwy has worked with the Food Technology Centre since 2017 on a number of projects. Having purchased another production site in 2017 they needed to expand on their workforce in order to help with the demands of the new site.
In October 2018, the company spoke with The Food Technology Centre who recommended the HELIX Knowledge Transfer Programme and through this they were able to recruit a graduate. The graduate was quickly able to lead on key areas helping them achieve a BRC accreditation within 6 months and the Red Tractor accreditation shortly after.
BENEFITS OF THE SUPPORT
As a result of the support, Edwards of Conwy took on a graduate, who they were able to develop and mentor to ensure they had the relevant skills required for the meat industry but more specifically for food safety standards. This led to the company gaining the relevant BRC and Red Tractor accreditations. A key part of this has been in taking the time to find the person who already has the right level of ability and enthusiasm and who is willing to develop their own skillset.
Having gained the BRC and Red Tractor accreditations, the company is now in a stronger position to carry out new and existing product developments and improvements.
Simon James, Managing Director of Edwards of Conwy commented,
As a result of working with the Food Technology Centre, we have been able to employ someone who comes with a high degree of ability and enthusiasm, who then through subsequent mentoring has developed the skills and experience necessary to support our goal of achieving a BRC accreditation and Red Tractor food assurance accreditation at our new site. We would highly recommend Project HELIX to food companies who require assistance in obtaining accreditation. The support we've received from the Food Technology Centre has been invaluable and we look forward to continuing to work with them.
