Leading organisations join forces to boost UK manufacturing

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and The Manufacturer have combined their strengths to form a unique benchmark competition that recognises excellence and also provides companies taking part with free, targeted business advice.

With a combined heritage spanning four decades, the new awards will continue to provide manufacturers with free feedback from top experts, based on a self-assessment audit, as well as celebrating the outstanding achievements of this hugely important UK industry.

For 2015 and beyond, TMMX will be an annual awards programme delivered by The Manufacturer in association with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Attracting manufacturing businesses of all sizes engaged in a diverse range of activities, TMMX categories include Sustainable Manufacturing; Partnership with Education; Logistics & Supply Chain; Leadership & Strategy; World Class Manufacturing, and Customer Focus.

All entries will be evaluated by an expert panel of judges and, new for 2015, those shortlisted in eight of the 13 categories will receive site visits as part of the judging process.

A Judging Day will bring together all of the category judges for a final round of judging before each winner is selected.

All entrants will benefit from constructive and confidential feedback that they can use to support their own business improvement.

CEO of The Manufacturer, Nick Hussey commented: “There are too many awards that lack gravitas and rigour and do nothing to help UK manufacturing.  By combining with the Institution today we have established the ultimate benchmark for all UK manufacturers to aspire to.

“By uniting our strength and experience, we are raising the bar for all manufacturers in the UK, offering them the platform and confidence to stand tall on the international stage.

“This is not a one-off.  It is an annual programme that includes an online diagnostic tool, benchmarking reports and site inspections from some the UK’s best and most experienced industry experts which feed into the nominees’ continuous improvement activities.”

Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ President Group Captain Mark Hunt OBE said: “We are delighted to be able to combine forces with The Manufacturer.  Manufacturing is at the heart of a healthy UK economy and these awards will not only recognise outstanding achievements in this sector, but will also help drive improvements in business practices of all the companies involved.

“Taking part gives companies the opportunity to receive valuable advice, free of charge, from world class experts and in a time of fierce competition in business, the feedback provided could make the difference between a company’s success and failure.”