CHILLED pizza Stateside Foods has received the Investors in People Gold standard, joining the top seven per cent of accredited organisations across the UK.

Stateside, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Freiberger Group, has been in business for more than 20 years and supplies leading food retailers with branded and own label chilled pizzas.

Its production facilities are based at Great Bank Road, Wingates, Westhoughton, where the companies has facilities covering more than 46,000 square metres, employed more than 700 people across a range of professionals such as logistics, engineering, IT and finance.

Bosses say Stateside is committed to employee involvement and provides a variety of career development opportunities. They say staff are actively encourages to express their views and contribute towards business improvement through a continuous improvement programme, employee open forums and through the company suggestion scheme.

Investors in People is the UK's leading accreditation for business improvement through people management with the focus on making great business.

Stateside managing director Jon Lucas said: “We recognise that our most important resource is our employees.

"We are committed to the development of our people and ensure that all employees gain the necessary skills to reach their full potential. Our dedicated workforce plays a major part in the development of our business and we are proud to attain the Gold Investors in People accreditation as we continue to work towards achieving even greater success as one team in the future.”

Head of Investors in People Paul Devoy added: “We’d like to congratulate Stateside Foods on their Gold standard. Such a high level of accreditation is the sign of great people management practice and shows an organisation committed to being the very best it can be. Stateside Foods should be extremely proud of their achievement.”