On both counts, Tilmanstone has been successful and as a result produces a growing portfolio of leafy salads for leading retailer Marks & Spencer.

Tilmanstone Salads is part of Bakkavör Group, a leading international food manufacturing company specialising in fresh prepared foods and produce. The Group operates 52 factories and employs over 17,000 people in eight countries, producing over 4,700 products in 17 product categories.

Tilmanstone is one of the Group's state-of-the-art sites situated in Eythorne, seven miles north of Dover, employing around 800 people. It supplies pre-packed deli-style salads with a throughput of over 50 million packs per annum, although with huge seasonal variation. Its goal is to reflect and achieve Bakkavör Group's mission which is to provide the very best service, quality, value and innovation to its customers.

Committed to creating a culture that recognises contribution and innovation, as well as seeing continuous improvement and change as the norm, Tilmanstone Salads seeks to create an environment that fuels imagination and creativity. Indeed, product development is critical both to the success of the business and the fresh prepared foods sector.

The New Product Development Team at Tilmanstone Salads is constantly developing new products for Marks & Spencer in a number of different product categories. However, it must always ensure that new products are relevant to consumers' needs. If they aren't, they're a waste of time, effort and money for both companies and could possibly damage existing sales performance.

Salad supply is also key for Tilmanstone Salads and it works with a significant number of UK growers to help them maximise the potential of their businesses. The Company is also committed to sourcing fresh produce locally whenever possible to help the local economy and reduce food miles. Of course, the 'summer' of 2007 has made this more of a challenge than would usually be the case.

Tilmanstone Salads is also committed to growing its produce portfolio, and with Bakkavör Group's support it is actively developing new varieties and breeds of salads in the UK. This will ensure that the highest quality fresh produce is available for Marks & Spencer and its consumers.

Aside from 'buying local', consumers throughout the country are also increasingly demanding assurance that food products are made from quality ingredients, produced through agricultural best practice. Tilmanstone Salads deals only with reputable suppliers that are willing to apply its strict quality standards in this area. Supplier relationships are benchmarked and evaluated to deliver continuous improvement in quality and service.

Efficiency and sustainability are also key for Tilmanstone Salads and it is always looking for ways to improve in these areas. With this in mind, the company is looking to expand production volume in its factory this year whilst reducing its carbon footprint at the same time.

Tilmanstone Salads recognises its business has a direct and indirect impact on the environment and is committed to managing its environmental responsibilities in a manner that minimises the effects of its operations on the quality of life in the local community in which it operates.

It shares these responsibilities with its suppliers, employees and customer. Consequently, Tilmanstone Salads is looking at ways of reducing, recycling and reusing waste, whether it's water, effluence or packaging. It is also working closely with Marks & Spencer to realise the retailer's 'Plan A' environmental initiatives. This includes logistics, with Tilmanstone Salads now utilising double-decker lorries for transporting products to Marks & Spencer depots. These vehicles have a second suspended floor, which allows them to carry twice as much food significantly reducing food miles.

Tilmanstone Salads is about more than great fresh produce, it is a global leader in salad innovation. Its employees lay the foundation for future growth and prosperity by meeting challenges with creativity, energy and an unstoppable 'can do' attitude while the business challenges its people to develop their skills, discover innovative methods for doing business and to prepare for a lifetime of achievement.

To find out more about Tilmanstone Salads telephone the company direct on: 01304 833000.
Alternatively, visit the Bakkavör Group website at www.bakkavor.com.