The winners of The Manufacturer MX Awards 2019 represent the very best of the UK manufacturing industry. They were honoured at a ceremony in Liverpool on 14 November.
Despite the ongoing Brexit negotiations, and preparation planning for businesses across the UK, this winning mix of manufacturing companies large and small proves the sector is in good health and ready to bounce back when stability returns.
Thanks to the stringent demands of the entry process, and the thoroughness of the judging led by experts from the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and other industry leaders, The Manufacturer MX Awards is the largest, most respected annual awards programme in the UK manufacturing calendar – delivered by The Manufacturer in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
Marking the end of Digital Manufacturing Week
The awards are part of the annual Digital Manufacturing Week, hosted by The Manufacturer, which brings together the very latest in digital manufacturing technology and delegates from the most noted UK manufacturers.
The awards illustrate and honour a true cross-section of UK industry excellence, rigorously assessed across 11 categories.
The gala dinner at Exhibition Centre Liverpool – attended by more than 700 industry leaders in the company of Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and the multi-talented performer Alistair McGowan – was the culmination of an intense four-month judging period, where experienced industry experts travelled thousands of miles across the UK to benchmark the companies’ performance.
The awards are supported by leading industry partners: Official Banking Partner Santander, Judging Partner High Value Manufacturing Catapult and category sponsors: Autodesk; Capgemini; Check-6 International; Cranfield University; Dassault Systèmes; Hunter; The Institute of Export and International Trade; RS Components; Sage, and reception sponsor Cordant Engineering.
And the winners of The Manufacturer MX Awards 2019 are…
The Manufacturer of the Year – BMW Group Plants Oxford and Swindon
Overall runner-up – Domino Printing Services
Achieving Customer Value (sponsored by Trust Hunter Ltd [Hunter]) – Protolabs
International Trade (sponsored by The Institute of Export and International Trade) – MPE
Highly commended – Niftylift
Product Innovation & Design (sponsored by Autodesk) – BMW Group Plants Oxford and Swindon
Leadership & Strategy (sponsored by Capgemini) – JJ Churchill
Operational Excellence (sponsored by Sage) – IMI Precision Engineering Poole (Thompson Valves)
People & Skills (sponsored by Check-6 International) – SME: Lander Automotive
People & Skills (sponsored by Check-6 International) – Large Enterprise: Domino Printing Sciences
Smart Factory (sponsored by Dassault Systèmes) – BMW Group Plants Oxford and Swindon
Supply Chain Excellence (sponsored by RS Components) – Domino Printing Sciences
Sustainable Manufacturing (sponsored by Cranfield University) – Accolade Wines
Young Manufacturer of the Year – Calvin Wakeford, Tharsus
Manufacturing in Action – Siemens Congleton
Hennik Research Managing Director, Grace Gilling commented: “At a challenging time for UK industry, it is wonderful to be able to recognise such outstanding organisations as the elite of UK manufacturing. The diversity of the shortlist and winners – across so many regions, sectors and company sizes – shows that manufacturing remains at the heart of the UK economy.
“All the winners and shortlisted companies should be incredibly proud of their achievements. Being recognised by The Manufacturer MX Awards is a true endorsement of their efforts and outstanding performance.”
Paul Brooks, UK Head of Manufacturing, Santander UK commented: “The impressive entrants and winners of these awards here today reiterate what an innovative and thriving manufacturing sector we have in the UK.
“Having recently ranked ninth in a list of global manufacturing nations, the UK has once again proven its mettle – there’s never been a better time to be part of this industry.”
Jenifer Baxter, Head of Engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said: “The winners of these awards demonstrate the depth and vitality that we have in our manufacturing sector.
“The contribution that we continue to see from engineers working in manufacturing shows how creative this industry really is. I congratulate all the winners and hope to see more from them in the future”.
