Dennis Eagle’s Blackpool facility has been named winner of the Digital Award at the Red Rose Awards 2026, recognising its industry‑leading approach to digital innovation and transformation within UK manufacturing.
Presented at a black-tie ceremony held at the Winter Gardens Blackpool, the award celebrates Dennis Eagle Blackpool’s transformation of its production and warehouse operations through a bespoke, digital system – designed and developed in-house – to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability at its Lancashire facility.
Dennis Eagle Blackpool’s General Manager, Oli Minett, celebrates success.
Dennis Eagle is a world leader in the design and manufacture of refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) with its Blackpool site manufacturing RCV cabs for local authorities and private waste contractors across the UK and overseas, producing more than 1,400 hand-built units annually. Facing increasing production volumes and operational complexity, the business identified the need to move away from disconnected, paper‑based processes towards a fully integrated digital approach to connect people, systems, and performance.
Its digital transformation centred on a major redesign of its Finishing Department to improve workflow, stock organisation, and efficiency, while futureproofing the facilities for increased production. It introduced a digital inventory management system, fully synchronising physical and digital environments for faster, more accurate material picking that has improved production efficiency.
Alongside the introduction of digital dashboards, telematics, and automated reporting, wearable monitoring technology has enhanced the wellbeing of the team. The wearables track movement patterns, environmental factors, and fatigue, helping reduce risk and fostering a more supportive environment for employees, empowering them with better tools and insights.
The new digital infrastructure has reduced Takt time, improved stock accuracy, and created a safer and more efficient working environment. Paper use has been cut by approximately 180,000 sheets per year, delivering environmental, cost, and operational benefits.
“Digital thinking at Dennis Eagle Blackpool is now a mindset embedded into how we plan, innovate, and invest for the future.
“Dennis Eagle’s history spans over 130 years and we want the business to remain an agile industry leader as technology evolves. We’re thrilled that our investment in this area has been recognised by the Red Rose Awards. Our success to date has positioned our digital system for rollout across other Dennis Eagle sites, demonstrating our commitment to continuous improvement and a connected, future-ready business.”
– Oli Minett, General Manager, Dennis Eagle Blackpool.
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