Kent brewer Shepherd Neame have fought off fierce competition from large national organisations to scoop a business accolade.

The company's efforts to introduce more efficient ways of working were recognised with an award for Best Improvement Project (under 90 days) at this year's Process Excellence Awards.

The award was given for the brewery's inventory reduction project in wines and spirits, which halved the inventory and also increased product availability. The project served as a trial in the roll-out of other improvement schemes across the business.

Shepherd Neame faced competition from BAA, Scottish Widows and ScottishPower.

The Process Excellence Awards are now in their eleventh year and are judged by a panel of leading process improvement companies and executives from across Europe.

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said the award was "worthy recognition of the hard work and effort of the production and distribution team, and testimony of the improvements made across the company" since new business management software was introduced in July, 2008.