for FlexiChef & Innovation in Food Processing
We’re thrilled to announce that BCH has won the Digital Technology Award at the Made in the North West Awards 2025! This significant recognition celebrates our commitment to innovation in food and confectionery processing, with a spotlight on our FlexiChef recipe management software, cutting-edge vacuum cooling technology and our pioneering food and confectionery innovation centre in the UK.
We want to express our gratitude to Insider Media and the event sponsors for hosting such an incredible night, and congratulations to all of the other brilliant winners from across the North West.
About the Award
The Made in the North West Awards celebrate the region’s most forward-thinking manufacturers and tech leaders. Organised by Insider Media, these awards are a benchmark for industrial excellence and progress across the North West. The ‘Digital Technology’ Award specifically recognises the most advanced and impactful technology developed or adopted within North-West-based engineering and manufacturing firms.
As proud regional winners, we’re now finalists for the national Made in the UK awards, taking place later this month in Liverpool, a moment of national recognition we’re excited to embrace.
Spotlight on the winning products
BCH stood out in three core areas:
- Our pioneering Innovation Centre showcasing our food and confectionery processing technology
- Our efficient and sustainable vacuum cooling for food and confectionery production
- The FlexiChef recipe management software, paired with IXON remote support
Let’s take a closer look.
BCH innovation Centre - a hub for food and confectionery manufacturing
Since opening in 2000, the BCH Innovation Centre has been a valuable resource for food and confectionery manufacturers seeking to trial our extensive equipment range, test recipes, and explore new product development in a collaborative environment.
Many of our clients’ production journeys begin here, where our experienced team helps identify tailored solutions using our various technologies available, often leading to major operational improvements.
Centre Capabilities include –
- Trialling and developing new products and processing methods
- Refining existing products
- Evaluating line modifications and their implications
- Problem-solving in key areas like:
- Food safety and hygiene
- Process management
- Reclamation
- Health and food quality
- Control systems
- Assessing production methods and equipment suitability for productivity and product consistency
Explore how our Innovation Centre can support your next investment or development project.
Vacuum Cooling for food and confectionery production
Our vacuum cooling technology is a complete, high-performance cooling solution for soups, sauces, ready meals, sweet & savoury pie fillings, and more. It rapidly and hygienically cools products, improving energy efficiency and preserving quality, helping manufacturers meet sustainability goals without compromising on productivity.
Key benefits include:
- Rapid cooling: from 90°C to 5°C in around 45 minutes
- Low operating and maintenance costs
- Seamless integration with our cooking kettles
- Hygienic, energy-efficient design
- Operating costs just 30% of comparable systems
Whether you’re scaling up or seeking to improve your sustainability credentials, our vacuum cooling systems could be the missing piece in your food production process.
Learn more about vacuum cooling technology here.
FlexiChef Recipe Management Software for food and confectionery manufacturers
The heart of our award-winning submission is the FlexiChef recipe management software, built specifically for food manufacturers to enhance consistency, control, and traceability.
FlexiChef supports:
- Recipe creation and batch production
- Real-time plant status and live trends
- Automated reporting
- Manual control for maintenance
- Secure access with 4-tier user permissions
Technical features:
- Windows-based platform for recipe management and reporting
- Integration with Siemens, Allen Bradley, and Mitsubishi PLC & HMI technology
- IIoT and Cloud connectivity
- Up to 96 stored recipes with scalable batch sizing (e.g., easily scale a 500kg recipe up or down)
- Full operator terminal visibility and diagnostics
This award-winning recipe management software is revolutionising how food manufacturers optimise production, offering both flexibility and control.
Behind the scenes: Our people & vision
Behind every award is a team, and this win is no exception. From sales engineers and factory technicians to our software developers, every member of the BCH team contributes to the innovation and reliability our customers depend on.
Our vision is rooted in delivering smart, scalable, and sustainable food and confectionery processing solutions that evolve with the industry and with our customers’ needs.
What’s next?
We’re proud to represent the North West at the national Made in the UK Awards and are equally delighted to be finalists in the upcoming BIBAs Manufacturer of the Year category.
Looking ahead, we’re expanding the capabilities of FlexiChef, advancing sustainability across our technologies, and welcoming more clients into our Innovation Centre for trials and collaboration.
Want to experience our award-winning food and confectionery processing technology?
Explore FlexiChef, trial our vacuum cooling system, or book a session at the BCH Innovation Centre today.
By: Niamh Smith
June 6, 2025