Eighteen of the UK’s best businesses have been shortlisted for the Institution for Mechanical Engineers’ Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Awards 2010.
Considered to be the most prestigious manufacturing awards in the UK and dubbed as the “Oscars” of the business world, the MX offer a panel of industry experts giving up to £20,000 free, impartial advice.
The judges (from, among others, PricewaterhouseCooper, the Warwick Manufacturing Group and the Manufacturing Advisory Service) will tour the shortlisted companies to select the winners.
There are 12 awards up for grabs, including Product Innovation, Process Innovation, Best Finance Management, Best SME, Best Business Education Partnership and Sustainable Manufacturing.
Roger Parr, MAS national network resource manager, said: “The MX Awards have been instrumental in identifying and developing some truly excellent manufacturing companies. I would encourage any business aspiring to be world class to enter these awards. The selection process is robust and successful participants receive valuable feedback on their strengths and weaknesses enabling them to plan a route to Manufacturing Excellence.”
According to the most recent Government figures, SMEs represent 95% of the manufacturing sector in the UK: the awards are an opportunity for small firms to receive feedback, coaching and support from some of the country’s leading experts.
The shortlisted businesses are: Aesseal Plc; Aircelle Ltd; BAE Systems Submarine Solutions; Brother Industries UK Ltd; Carl Zeiss SMT Ltd; ContiTech Beattie Limited; Cummins Inc Darlington Engine Plant; Draeger Safety UK Limited; Leyland Trucks; Lambert Engineering; MBDA UK; Michelin Tyre PLC; P&G Gillette; Pipex Limited; Proto Labs; Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd; Siemens Magnet Technology; ZF Lemforder UK Ltd.
The final winners will be announced on June 23.
