The Manufacturer MX Awards 2018 celebrate the Best of British Manufacturing with new awards categories, as Santander confirms Headline Sponsorship for second year.
At a reception at the House of Lords today, nominations were officially opened for The Manufacturer MX Awards 2018, along with the announcement of two new categories recognising manufacturing excellence in ‘Digital Enterprise’ and ‘Exports’.
Santander was also officially confirmed as the Headline Sponsor of the industry-leading The Manufacturer MX Awards for the second year in a row.
The winners will be announced on 15 November 2018 at an exclusive ceremony and gala dinner, to be held in Liverpool.
This is unchallenged as the UK’s biggest celebration of the manufacturing industry, and is part of Digital Manufacturing Week 2018, a suite of top level events that attract the biggest and most qualified visitor base in the manufacturing sector.
Even after breaking all records in 2017, 2018 is expected to be even bigger and better.
Paul Brooks, UK Head of Manufacturing, Santander Corporate & Commercial, commented: “Santander is delighted to be supporting The Manufacturer MX Awards again in 2018.
“The Manufacturing sector is more important than ever to the UK economy and The Manufacturer MX Awards showcases the very best we have to offer from world class businesses across the UK.”
Autodesk has been announced as the sponsor of the ‘Innovation & Desgin’ category at The Manufacturer MX Awards 2018, as well as co-sponsoring the Manufacturing Leaders Summit – part of Digital Manufacturing Week 2018.
Asif Moghal, Senior Industry Manager for Design & Manufacturing at Autodesk, commented: “We are delighted to once again be supporting The Manufacturer MX Awards in 2018”
“More than 4 million people in the UK work in design and manufacturing. If we are serious about leading this Fourth Industrial revolution, then we must inspire more SMEs to think beyond productivity and embrace the convergence of design and manufacturing. The Manufacturing Leaders Summit provides thought provoking insight that inspires others to join the digital revolution and The Manufacturer MX Awards recognise the very best of the UK.”
Henry Anson, Managing Director of Hennik Group, publishers of The Manufacturer, added: “We are delighted that Santander and Autodesk will be supporting The Manufacturer MX Awards and Manufacturing Leaders Summit once again this year, underlining their deep commitment to the UK manufacturing sector.
“The entry process is now open and we are anticipating record numbers of submissions, reflecting the current buoyant mood and optimism in the sector. The ceremony itself will be held on 15 November at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre as the finale to the Digital Manufacturing Week 2018.”
The industry’s most prestigious annual programme, The Manufacturer MX Awards was formed in 2015 following the merger of The Manufacturer of the Year Awards and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Awards.
These leading awards programmes have attracted entries from the UK’s leading manufacturing organisations in categories ranging from recognition in innovation and sustainability, through to apprenticeships, leadership and staff engagement.
Previous winners include: McLaren Automotive, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, BAE Systems, GE Aviation Wales, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Bombardier Aerospace, Domino Printing Sciences, Dura Automotive, Gripple, Siemens Industrial Technology, and MBDA Missile Systems.
Dr Jenifer Baxter, Head of Engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said: “The Manufacturer MX Awards not only celebrate the best of UK manufacturing, but also provide participants with valuable feedback from world experts.
“The judging panel is made up of highly experienced manufacturing experts and the rigorous process, which includes factory visits, enables the judges to identify the very best in UK industry.”
McLaren Automotive were crowned The Manufacturer of the Year 2017, perhaps the highest accolade in the industry, alongside their victories in the Innovation & Design and Smart Factory categories.
Alan Foster, Executive Director, McLaren Automotive, said “To be honest, we are still reveling in the afterglow.
“It has spread like wildfire within the organisation – I’ve had heads of department and engineers from different areas of business coming up to me and going, “Can I have a look at the award?”
“We get award after award for the vehicles that we produce, and we’re very proud of that, but to now get industry recognition at a national level from recognised bodies, and one of the primary leaders of the manufacturing industry in The Manufacturer magazine, has great credibility for me.”