It has been lucky 13 for the great Midlands manufacturing celebration, with Insider Held at the Midlands Awards which attracted the highest number of companies and entries since it was launched in 2010.
“This year Insider Made in the Midlands attracted almost 70 entries from 48 companies, the highest total the competition has had in its 13-year history,” he said. Insider deputy editor Ian Griffin.
“However, it’s not just the numbers that have impressed, it’s the scale and range of companies that are now taking this event seriously: from niche two-person manufacturers to international groups that give employment to more than 3,000 people”.
The judges noted three main trends emerging this year: the number of participants actively involved in the development of clean energy transport, more investment in staff training and, above all, a strong emphasis on sustainable manufacturing. Almost all participants took pains to point out their green credentials and strategies.
“However, despite the increased scale and scope, I am pleased to report that we did not see a decline in the quality of submissions – there were almost no testimonial entries,” Griffin added. “The shortlists represent not just the best, but the very best, of what Midland manufacturing has to offer the world.”
The winners will be announced at the Made in the Midlands Awards, which will be held at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel in Birmingham city center on Thursday 4 May.
To book your tickets for the Insider’s Made in the Midlands Awards, contact Kelly Mitchell at Kelly.mitchell@newsco.com 0161 907 9758
Automotive, Aerospace and Railway Award
Preselected:
petalite
CCR training
Lunaz
Preveu Group
MAHLE Aftermarket
Accura Engineering
What the judges said: “As transport manufacturing provides the foundation for the industrial base of the Midlands, it was rewarding to see how strong each of these entries were, from precision aerospace engineers to car manufacturers who really pushing the limits of what electric and hydrogen vehicles can achieve.”
Export Award
Preselected:
Briggs of Burton
MasterMover
Hydrajaws
IVC Brunel Healthcare
Lubricants Exol
Mechatherm International
What the judges said: “We saw a number of impressive international trade strategies move forward. After the challenges of Brexit, Covid and chip shortages, it was heartening to see companies that had regained their export mojo. However, we want to see more: the The future of manufacturing depends on us regaining our position as the workshop of the world.”
Sustainable/Ethical Manufacturer Award
Sponsored by: Grant Thornton
Preselected:
SuperFOIL insulation
Briggs of Burton
Edgetech
Tamlite lighting
cooksongold
Russell Roofs
Fabweld steel products
Lunaz
Purity Brewing
What the judges said: “One of the highlights of this year’s event was the seriousness of the vast majority of companies that applied, not just the shortlisted ones. – take the issue of sustainability. Almost all had carbon reduction as a critical business objective, and many set out in clear and unambiguous terms what they had already achieved and how they intended to continue the journey to Net Zero.”
Engineering/Digital Technology Award
Preselected:
Avery Berkel
Waldeck
Smart energy
Zayndu
Novotek UK and Ireland
What the judges said: “Traditionally, this has been a difficult category to judge because digital and technology permeates so much of our manufacturing base that it’s often hard to see. However, the shortlists showed clear and compelling thinking behind their technological strategies and digital engineering”.
Food and Beverage Award
Preselected:
Zayndu
Purity Brewing
Millitec Food Systems
Barlows of Belvoir
Peacock farm
What the judges said: “Food and drink is an often overlooked Cinderella sector of manufacturing, but massive in scale and scope. This is abundantly clear in the range of submissions we’ve received this year, ranging from growers and brewers from custom foods to highly advanced foods. automation equipment.”
Manufacturing Learning/Training Plan Award
Preselected:
RBSL
Brandauer
Sertec Corporation
Rolls-Royce submarines
Briggs of Burton
What the judges said: “I was very gratified to see how many manufacturers were taking skills development seriously and often investing large amounts of their turnover in upskilling their people. It was satisfying to see that it wasn’t just about apprenticeships and young people, but by enabling and improving the qualifications of experienced staff”.
Learner of the year
Sponsored by: West Midlands Apprentice Ambassador Network
Preselected:
Oliver Preston, RBSL
Joseph Betts, Hydraforce
Dan Mainwaring, RBSL
Rhianna Lees, Rolls-Royce submarines
Kieran Brown, RBSL
Connor Penlington, Waldeck
What the judges said: “This is probably the most important award in the competition because it’s an investment in the long-term future of manufacturing in the Midlands. We loved the quality of each of the finalists – credit to themselves and their employers. From all categories, this is the one we want to see more presentations in the coming years.”
Manufacturing Innovation Award
Sponsored by: HSBC
Preselected:
Polyplas Extrusions
AE Oscroft & Sons
Edgetech
Luxfer gas cylinders
Smart energy
Zayndu
Valliant Group
Assa Abloy
plastic energy
What the judges said: “That was probably it the most difficult category to decide on, not just because of the quality of the favourites, but because of the sheer variety of innovations on offer – a real case of comparing apples to oranges. However, this variety of manufacturing creativity is great to see.”
Manufacturer of the Year Award (under £25m)
Preselected:
CCR training
Alfa manufacturing
SuperFOIL insulation
Digital Manufacturing Center
Edgetech
Lesters Packaging
Micro weighing solutions
What the judges said: “Again, such a diverse offering made this a tough category to make a decision on, which made it a pleasure to judge.”
Manufacturer of the Year Award (over £25m)
Preselected:
Wilkins Group
friend
Ricardo
Vaillant Group
The Vita Group
linear
What the judges said: “A very strong lineup from some of our biggest and best manufacturers.”
