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Surrounded by some of the best agricultural land in Britain, Paramount’s great location allows it to source some of the best fresh fish and vegetables available, ensuring that its products are made from only the highest quality ingredients. And this has resulted in the company winning a whole trophy cabinet full of awards, including ‘Best New Seafood Product in Foodservice’ at the 2007 Seafood Awards and a gold Great Taste 2007 award – both for fish pie.
Discover Award Winning Taste
The judges at Seafish were extremely impressed by the premium ingredients in Paramount's Luxury Fish Pie, and felt that the product provided exceptional value for caterers and foodservice outlets alike.
"This is a wonderful award to have won and we are thrilled that our quality has been recognised by the judges in this way. We have a fantastic range of fish pies and Paramount work hard to ensure that our products have a home-made taste. Many of our lines are hand finished as you know, which is something we take great pride in," said Ali Hannaford, chairman of Paramount.
Paramount's Luxury Fish Pie has been so successful in foodservice that it has now been adapted for retail sale as part of the Hannaford's range. This range was launched last September by Paramount in Makro Cash and Carry and is currently performing outstandingly with 7 new dishes introduced in June including local products such as Cornish Sardines.
Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future
It hasn’t always been such a ‘pleasant’ ride for Paramount though, with the history of the company being a story of determination and faith in the future. For in 1988 a seafood processing business, owned by Ali Hannaford’s father, was bought by Hillsdown Holdings. Five months later they closed it - putting all the staff out of work, including a 27-year-old Ali.
Ali was determined to bring the business back to life and with just £3500, some second-hand machinery and the loyalty of 16 of the former staff, that’s exactly what she did. The company quickly moved on from packing prawns into developing a range of fantastic fishcakes and value added seafood products, such as blanchbait and whitebait, specifically for the catering industry. And just two years after the company was founded, Paramount won its first British Frozen Food Federation award: in fact, the first of many it has gone on to win as the range of products has expanded.
Purposeful Growth in Frozen Foods
It’s a company that is constantly moving forwards too. In January 2007, for instance, it moved into a new ultra-modern facility, bringing production, development, administration and sales all under one roof. This move significantly increases capacity, allowing Paramount to expand its production and develop more new products. The Paramount team is also growing with extra resource being added within all key departments such as NPD, sales and technical.
A Passion for Performance
Paramount is a company that takes service that one stage further, building partnerships with its customers in order to help them increase profit and improve their businesses. It’s also a company that cares about the local community, and is passionate about promoting the great produce available in the south-west of England.
Indeed, Ali Hannaford, is an ambassador for the south-west, with Paramount having Beacon Company status, which recognises its successful working practices and offers a template for other companies to follow. In addition, Paramount is an active member of the British Frozen Food Federation, which Ali Hannaford was president of from 2001 to 2003, and also works with other organisations, including the Seafish Industry Authority.
Dedication to Quality
Today, the consumer is more aware than ever about food traceability and the need to handle, store and transport product in a manner that keeps it in optimum condition. With this in mind, Paramount is constantly reviewing changes that occur in EC food legislation in order to fulfil the requirements expected of a professionally managed frozen food company. But simply, it is committed to staying abreast of all current regulations and, indeed, in many areas is ahead of them.
Paramount’s dedication to quality and testing,
for example, has earned it BRC (British
Retail Consortium) Certification, which it has
held since 1999.
Of course, there is not a company or organisation on earth that does not have the occasional ‘hiccup’ - the secret, though, is in how you respond to it. At Paramount they don’t solve problems they surmount challenges, thereby allowing the company to continue to improve and grow through what is a constant learning curve.
Ultimately, Paramount firmly believes that business today is still about people – not just corporate structures – and it understands more than most that customers, suppliers and employees all like to be treated as individuals. Many Clients have become friends over the years, and many new business opportunities are derived from recommendation and a word of mouth.
Paramount has developed from a simple seafood packing line to a supplier of premium quality frozen seafood and vegetarian meals, and is now a major name in seafood and a respected brand in the foodservice industry.
Paramount views the future with real confidence and excitement, ready and willing to face the challenges and opportunities ahead. And it is only able to do this because it believes totally in constant development and improvement, which in turn gives customers a service they can rely upon and a range of ‘wow factor’ products to help their businesses to succeed. It’s a potent mix, which will help keep Paramount at the forefront of the industry for many more years to come.
For further information telephone 01626 837650,
or visit the website at www.paramount21.co.uk.
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