The Manufacturer TOP100 is an annual celebration of one hundred people working in the UK manufacturing industry that are making a significant impact. As we ask you to nominate someone you think deserves to be recognised this year we take a look back at some of our winners from 2020.
The Manufacturer TOP100 celebrates people going that extra mile in the manufacturing industry. Registrations are now open to nominate someone you think deserves to be recognised in 2021. As we look forward to this year’s winners being announced during Digital Manufacturing Week 2021 in Liverpool in November, we take a look back at some of our 2020 Exemplar award winners. Each year, a select number of the TOP100 are chosen by our judging panel for special recognition, we call them ‘Exemplars’.
Jennifer Bentley, Head of Production, AnTech Ltd – 2020 TOP100 Exemplar
Growing up Jennifer was always interested in how things worked and for as long as she remembered wanted to be an engineer. Having graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1997, Jennifer got an opportunity at AnTech Ltd. she was given the task of improving the usability of a piece of software but made quick progress and started training industry professionals how to use it. Following this Jennifer then managed improvements to the software. That first year saw Jennifer travel the globe, making stops at Amsterdam, Canada, Brazil, Dubai, Argentina and the US. Visiting these sites provided ample opportunity to witness real engineering first-hand.
In their own words
What is your favourite engineered/manufactured product?
Dyson Vacuum Cleaner
Please give one interesting fact about yourself that not many people know.
Each year I volunteer for an organisation that gives children and young adults with special needs a holiday of a lifetime.
If you weren’t in manufacturing what would your dream job be?
A Nurse
After a couple of years, she moved into the Production team and in her own words, ‘felt most at home’. As an engineer, Jennifer always preferred the ‘dirty’ type of engineering – i.e. one works out what’s needed and solve problems.
Jennifer says, “I am proud to say I support younger people who are interested in developing their engineering skills. I had a year in industry within my degree and I appreciate the value of it.” She regularly works with organisations to offer experience to students and a number of these placements have led to permanent roles. Jennifer concludes, “I am always keen to offer support and opportunities to young people just starting out. As engineers we need to do our part in encouraging the next generation into engineering and enable them to develop their ideas and change the world with their contribution.”
