EEF/Aldermore Future Manufacturing Awards announced

35 companies and 12 apprentices – all regional winners in the EEF/Aldermore Future Manufacturing Awards – gathered at a prestigious awards ceremony in London last week to find out who would be walking away with a national title.

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 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 19th century manufacturer into a truly 21st century globally orientated enterprise, providing world class, highly-engineered technical drainage products and solutions. In the past four years the company has restructured itself to be totally focused on the customer and global growth.

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 this year awarded to Roger Evans MBE, managing director of Schaeffler (UK) Ltd, a manufacturer of precision bearings and engine components.

The judges were won over by Evans’vision, dedication and determination. In addition to his leading role at Schaeffler UK, he’s 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.

Edward Naylor, chief executive at Naylor Drainage, says: “There are so many fantastic manufacturers in the UK – to not only win the Outstanding Export Award, but also be named Winner of Winners, is a massive compliment. We have worked really hard to develop innovative products and to enter new markets and this is a very welcome recognition of the efforts of our entire team; we are all delighted.”

Roger Evans MBE, plant and automotive director of Schaeffler UK and EEF/Aldermore’s Manufacturing Champion, says: “Manufacturing is a dynamic and exciting sector full of people who are passionate and committed to what they do. To therefore be recognised in this way is a real honour. I am absolutely delighted as much for my hard-working team as for myself, as without their commitment and support this achievement would not have been possible.”

Daniel Biggs, Final Year Apprentice Award winner and Manufacturing Student of the Year, says: “As a final year apprentice this award is like the icing

on the cake. I’ve learnt valuable skills that have set me on the path of an interesting and rewarding career – to receive this recognition on top is just brilliant. I’m delighted to have won, especially after being up against some other incredibly talented and dedicated apprentices. After meeting them and seeing my own success I would have no hesitation in urging other young people to become an apprentice in manufacturing.”

Mark Stephens, deputy CEO of Aldermore, says: “Despite its value to the UK economy, manufacturing is an unsung hero. These awards go some way towards shining a light on the dedication, commitment and innovation going on each and every day in this dynamic and exciting sector.

“Choosing winners from such an impressive group of companies and apprentices was always going to be difficult and all the winners and finalists deserve our admiration and congratulations.”