Gardner Energy Management wins food industry 'Oscar'

This was the 24th Food Processing Awards event and is recognised throughout the industry as its ‘Oscars’, with awards going to companies that have made a contribution to developing and improving the industry. Finalists were chosen from over 100 companies nominated by the magazine’s readers from a short list drawn up by a panel of judges.

Cited for achieving energy saving of up to 55% and providing the ultimate in reliability Gardner Energy Management’s GEM traps are now installed in leading food processing companies throughout the world including Kraft Foods and Loders Croklaan, a key global producer in the supply of oils, fats and nutritional ingredients.

Commenting, Tim Gardner, Managing Director of Gardner Energy Management said: “With increasing pressure on food processing companies to reduce energy consumption, they are starting to realise that losses from steam systems make up approximately 35% of all identified potential energy savings.”

This was the second award secured by Gardner Energy Management in the past twelve months. In May 2007 the company was presented with an award at the Bristol Evening Post Business Awards in the sub-£5 million turnover category.

Tim Gardner established Gardner Energy Management Ltd (GEM) in 1995 to manufacture and market the GEM Venturi Orifice Steam Trap. First patented in 2000 the product became immediately successful with orders from BAA’s Glasgow Airport and Rosyth Dockyard. The company won the UK Engineering Council’s Environmental Award for Engineers in 1998 and the Institution of Chemical Engineers’ Best New Product in 1999. Since then the company has grown in size and stature and now has 16 full time employees and a turnover in excess of £1.5m.