Introduction
Anthony Alan Foods, which specialises in low fat cakes and pastries, was presented with the £25,000 Award for Outstanding Business Achievement courtesy of Microsoft, and the Barclays-sponsored Business of the Year award at the Chamber Awards 2005.

The company is no stranger to the Chamber Awards, as Anthony Moloney of Anthony Alan Foods was the winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Chamber Awards in 2004.

Anthony Alan Foods background
Anthony Alan Foods, a member of Barnsley Chamber of Commerce & Industry, was established in 2001 to produce low fat healthy eating versions of indulgent food, without losing any of the flavour. A year later in 2002 the company won the UK license to manufacture cakes under the Weight Watchers brand. With a combination of a sound management team and the development of the innovative technology that produces low fat products that aren’t low in taste, Anthony Alan Foods’ products were instant market leaders, despite competition from other established household name products.

Over the last four years the turnover has grown by 7,600% and is now at £20.6 million per year. Growth has been organic and has been achieved as a result of continual focus on new product development. In the 40 months that the company has been operating it has introduced a range of 53 products to the marketplace. It currently has a further 33 active products in development and a further 50 products pending. Diversification into other food varieties and international markets has contributed to the overall growth of the business.

The winning entry
The growth of the company since its inception in 2001, combined with the way that the company successfully dominated a niche and has now overtaken many household names, made the company a clear winner for both the Business of the Year category and for the £25,000 Award for Outstanding Business Achievement.

Underpinning the success of the company is a business model which outsources the production of all goods, which not only produces cost savings and enhanced cash flow, but it also allows Anthony Alan Foods to concentrate on marketing, sales and range development. This innovative business and financing model means that the responsibility for stock management rests with suppliers, and this combined with other savings achieved through the supply chain means that Anthony Alan Foods has greater operating flexibility and increased cash flow, whilst protecting the business from overtrading.

The company considers its staff to be its biggest competitive advantage and staff retention is extremely high. In January 2002 the business only had two members of staff; this has now grown to 25 full time positions, or almost a member of staff for every £1million of UK turnover expected in the UK in 2006. Anthony Alan Foods has been awarded the Investors in People accolade, which it achieved in just three months from application.

Judges comments
The judges commented that the company had displayed outstanding growth and profitability in a short period of time and that it was a dream scenario for any small to medium enterprise to grow so rapidly and positively. The judging panel was unanimous in appointing Anthony Alan Foods as the ‘Winner of Winners’. Natalie Ayres, Microsoft’s Senior Director Small and Medium Solutions and Partners Group commented: “Anthony Alan Foods Ltd is an amazing business and really deserved to win the award of Outstanding Business Achievement. We wish the company every success for the future.”

What the Awards mean to Anthony Alan Foods
Anthony Maloney, Managing Director of Anthony Alan Foods said: “We believe that it’s not the company that wins an award, but it’s the people that have worked so hard to make the company such a success. Being recognised for their achievements at such a national level is going to create an immense ‘buzz’ within the business. When people are not only empowered but highly motivated then we believe that they can achieve anything.”

Life after the awards
Over the next twelve months the company plans to continue expanding, with diversification in both local and international markets. In the UK Anthony Alan Foods is launching a new ’meal solutions’ range, which moves away from its existing product range. A number of new products are planned in Europe, as well as expansion in the USA which will see an increase in the number of stores Anthony Alan Foods trades in.

Of the £25,000 prize money, Anthony Maloney said: “It would be easy to find a home for £25,000 however we won’t be using this money for our business, but for the benefit of the community. As a company we have benefited greatly from the quality of personnel that we have been able to draw from the local area. Tomorrow’s entrepreneurs are today’s school children and we believe that an interest in business, fostered at an early age, is not only a benefit to the child but to community as a whole. We will be using the money within local schools, to provide resources to facilitate and encourage active business education.”

Why Enter the Chamber Awards
When asked why businesses should enter the Chamber Awards, Anthony Maloney said that because Chambers of Commerce are at the heart of UK business, there is no better way to assess the achievements of a company than by judging them against their peers across the country.

He said: “The Chamber Awards allow any size of company - large or small - to be judged on its merits and its achievements. It is the only awards scheme that is open to all kinds of businesses, and where all companies have an equal chance of success.

The recognition that comes from winning a Chamber Award creates a buzz within the company, and it is also highly regarded by customers and suppliers alike. It gives the winning company a 'stamp' of credibility and can be used in discussions with business partners and potential partners at all levels.”