British manufacturing awards: Winners announced

 

The annual awards are designed to showcase the depth of talent and achievement in the UK’s thriving manufacturing sector. At the ceremony, this year’s finalists drawn from innovative manufacturers and ambitious apprentices from across the UK were congratulated for their inspiring work in the sector and their local communities. 

 

The winners were finally revealed after impressing a panel of judges drawn from business leaders, industry experts and academics. The Winner of Winners title – awarded to the most outstanding manufacturer of all the national winners – was presented to Naylor Drainage, a Barnsley-based manufacturer of clay and plastic drainage pipes. 

 

The company won the award for transforming itself from a traditional 19^th century manufacturer into a truly 21^st century globally orientated enterprise, providing world class, highly-engineered technical drainage products and solutions.

 

The much-coveted Manufacturing Champion title – sponsored by Aldermore and given to an individual deemed to have made a significant contribution to UK manufacturing – was awarded to Roger Evans MBE, managing director of Schaeffler (UK), a manufacturer of precision bearings and engine components.  

 

The judges were won over by Roger’s vision, dedication and determination. In addition to his leading role at Schaeffler UK, he is also director of industry Wales, director of the Welsh Automotive Forum and chairman of the Welsh Manufacturing Forum. 

 

Mike Turner CBE, chairman of GKN and Babcock International Group, was named EEF’s Industrialist of the Year.  As Chairman of two of the country’s largest industrial and global players he has been at the forefront of the revival in the UK’s manufacturing sector.

 

Other national award winners were:

Outstanding Achievement by a Final Year Apprentice Award - sponsored by JAM Recruitment

Winner: Daniel Biggs, 21, a final year apprentice at JCB Transmissions in Wrexham

Runner-up: James Doughty, 26, a final year apprentice at Jaguar Land Rover in Castle Bromwich

Highly-commended: Pavandeep Bhogal, 22, a final year apprentice at BAE Systems in Preston.

 

Outstanding Achievement by a First Year Apprentice Award - sponsored by JAM Recruitment

Winner: Benjamin Farnsworth, 21, a first year apprentice at Techni-Grind Machining in Preston

Runner-up: Robert Hardie, 22, a first year apprentice at Hepcomotion in Tiverton.

 

EEF/EDT Manufacturing Student of the Year:

Winner: Daniel Biggs, 21, a final year apprentice at JCB Transmissions in Wrexham

Runner-up: Jack Patterson, student at University of Sunderland.

 

Business Efficiency Award

Winner: MöllerTech, a Cwmfellinfach-based injection moulding manufacturer

Runner-up: 600 UK, a Heckmondwike-based machine tools and precision components manufacture

Highly-commended: Origin, a High Wycombe-based aluminium bi-fold doors, windows and blinds manufacturer.

 

Business Growth Award - sponsored by Westfield Health

Winner: Pryor Marking Technology, a Sheffield-based industrial marking equipment manufacturer

Runner-up: Stadco, a Telford-based automotive pressing and assemblies manufacturer 

Highly-commended: Permaban, an Ivybridge-based specialised formwork systems manufacturer.

 

Developing People Award

Winner: ZF Lemforder UK, a Wednesbury-based automotive components and systems manufacturer

Runner-up: Hymid Multi-Shot, a Torquay-based plastic injection moulded equipment manufacturer

Highly-commended: Ford Aerospace, a South Shields-based aerospace components manufacturer.

 

Environmental Efficiency Award - sponsored by ENER-G

Winner: Nestle UK, Fawdon-based food and beverage manufacturer

Runner-up: Caparo Industries, an Oldbury-based steel products manufacturer

Highly-commended: Crown Paints, a Darwen-based paint manufacturer.

 

Outstanding Export Award - sponsored by Dunedin

Winner: Naylor Drainage, a Barnsley-based clay and plastic drainage pipe manufacturer

Runner-up: Inciner8, a Southport-based industrial incinerator manufacturer.

 

Health and Safety Award - sponsored by R K Harrison Insurance Services

Winner: Mabey Bridge, a Chepstow-based structural steel products manufacturer

Runner-up: Mars Chocolate UK, Slough-based confectionary manufacturer.

 

Smart Product Award

Joint winner: Hybrid Air Vehicles, a Bedford-based hybrid aircraft manufacturer

Joint winner: Advanced Insulation, a Gloucester-based technical and insulation materials manufacturer.

 

The hunt for the next Future Manufacturing Awards winners has already started. For more information and to enter, visit: http://www.eef.org.uk/campaigning/awards-and-competitions/future-manufacturing-awards.