We’re absolutely thrilled to share that BAKO has been named Supplier of the Year at this year’s Baking Industry Awards - a huge honour that recognises the dedication, innovation and collaboration that define everything we do. This award celebrates suppliers who go above and beyond in service, communication and partnership - values that have been at the heart of BAKO since day one.
Now in their 38th year, the Baking Industry Awards are the UK’s foremost celebration of excellence across the baking sector, from artisan bakers and large-scale manufacturers to suppliers, retailers, and innovators. This year’s event welcomed more than 600 guests from across the industry for an evening honouring the best and brightest in British baking.
BAKO took home the inaugural Supplier of the Year title, with judges praising the company’s unwavering commitment to serving the baking community, significant business growth, and strategic innovation. BAKO’s recent acquisition of Finlay’s Foods. expanding its reach across the UK and Ireland, was highlighted as a major step forward, alongside its sustained investment in operational efficiency, sustainability initiatives, and industry development.
With over 60 years of heritage, BAKO continues to set the standard for reliability, quality and customer care. This award is a celebration of the entire BAKO family, our colleagues, customers and industry partners whose ongoing trust and collaboration make achievements like this possible.
“This award is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the dedication of our teams across the UK and Ireland,” said Mike Tully, CEO of BAKO. “At BAKO, everything we do is guided by our ‘by bakers for bakers’ ethos. We’re proud to support the industry we love, from local independents to national brands, with quality, service, and innovation. Winning Supplier of the Year at such a respected event reinforces our belief that partnership and passion truly make a difference.”
Amy North, British Baker editor, said: “BAKO is a worthy winner of British Baker’s first-ever Supplier of the Year trophy at the Baking Industry Awards. Its longstanding commitment to and influential role within the baking industry deserves recognition, and our panel of judges praised the level of energy put into every aspect of the business from investments in efficiency to supporting the future of the industry, and steps on its sustainability journey. BAKO truly is living up to its motto of ‘by bakers for bakers.”
We were also incredibly proud to sponsor the Speciality Bread category at this year’s awards. This is a category that showcases creativity, craft and innovation at its finest. Huge congratulations to Mark Bennett Patisserie for taking home the win with their outstanding French Onion Soup Loaf, a bake that perfectly captures the artistry and originality that keep this industry so inspiring.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey so far. Together, we’ll continue to innovate, support and inspire the next generation of bakers.
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