Delcam/Coventry Engineering, the National Physical Laboratory and B-Tek Precision Engineering were among the winners at the Manufacturing Technology Association’s awards and annual gala dinner last night.
Over 400 manufacturing technology companies, distributors, sub-contract manufacturers and other guests gathered at the ICC in Birmingham last night (Wed) for the MTA’s annual dinner and awards.
Hosted by BBC presenter and journalist Susanna Reid, the ceremony featured four award categories, the presentation of the AMTRI Scholarship for the second year running, and entertainment by electric string quartet String Mania and Essex funny man Ian Irving.
Delcam with Coventry Engineering triumphed in the Best Supplier Partnership award, which recognises successful and effective partnerships between a customer and supplier. B-Tek Precision Engineering beat off competition from Mollart Engineering Resolven and Probore Precision to win the Most Dynamic Subcontractor award, that rewards the ‘positive difference that excellent and forward-thinking sub-contractors can have on industry’.
The National Physical Laboratory won the Best Training Scheme award, whose programme includes training equipment and human resources, a train-the-trainer programme, accompanying guides, a delivery methodology and accreditation to UK qualifications.
Adam Kelsey of engineering manufacturing group Joseph Rhodes pipped two other shortlisted candidates to the Young Engineer of the Year award. At 23 years old, Adam is in the third year of a BEng Honours degree in Mechanical and Computer Aided Engineering, part sponsored by Joseph Rhodes.
Technical director at Joseph Rhodes and Adam’s mentor, Peter Anderton, said: “It is unusual to place such an important position on someone so young, however Adam has developed outstanding technical and project management abilities.”
He and his employer were delighted when he also won the AMTRI Scholarship, a cash fund provided by the machine tool engineering consultancy intended to promote excellence in engineering manufacturing. He will receive financial support to further his education in the machine tool industry.
Geoff Bryant, managing director of Citizen Machinery and chairman of the MTA’s Exhibition Committee, was presented with the MTA’s Outstanding Service Award by president Simon Pollard. Mr Pollard, master of ceremonies for the evening, said that “the UK is a great place to manufacture,” citing that the UK machine tool sector ended 2011 with revenues up 68%. Referring to the association’s trademark show, MACH, this year he added: “I believe that its going to be a corker.”
The event, bigger than the corresponding event in 2010, was sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial. Head of manufacturing at Lloyds, Richard Holden, presented Adam Kelsey with the Young Engineer of the Year award.
The awards and dinner supported Fallen Fusiliers, the fundraising arm of The Fusilier Aid Society. A raffle was held on the night to raise money for the Society.
