The elite of the UK manufacturing community gathered last night (16 November) to celebrate The Manufacturer MX Awards 2017.
A veritable who’s who of UK makers, designers and engineers came together at Exhibition Centre Liverpool for the sold out gala dinner and The Manufacturer MX Awards 2017 ceremony.
Delivered in a partnership between The Manufacturer and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), The Manufacturer MX Awards is an annual occasion dedicated to encouraging and promoting competitive manufacturing in the UK, and celebrating the very best in the industry annually.
This year, the event was the culmination of an intense four-month judging period, where 28 hand-picked, experienced judges, collectively travelled over 9,000 miles in order to benchmark the companies.
Supported by several industry sponsors, including headline sponsor Santander and co-sponsor Meggitt Plc, the celebration attracted manufacturing business of all sizes, engaged in a diverse range of activities, across 13 award categories.
The renowned jewellery retailer and businessman, Gerald Ratner, provided the after-dinner entertainment – offering words of advice for anyone who has experienced failure.
Even today, Ratner’s infamous 1991 speech to the Institute of Directors at the Royal Albert Hall provides a perfect example of the value of branding and image over quality. Such gaffes have become commonly referred to as ‘Doing a Ratner’.
And the winners of The Manufacturer MX Awards 2017 are…
The announcement of the successful finalists culminated in the reveal of the winners of the prestigious Manufacturer of the Year Award 2017, which was picked up by McLaren Automotive.
McLaren Automotive is a British automotive manufacturer based at the McLaren Technology Campus in Woking, Surrey. It produces and manufactures sports and luxury cars, produced in-house at its dedicated McLaren Production Centre.
The company offers three series of models: Sports, Super and Ultimate.
McLaren Automotive also picked up two other categories at The Manufacturer MX Awards 2017 – Innovation & Design, and Smart Factory.
Full list of The Manufacturer MX Award 2017 winners!
The Manufacturer of the Year 2017 – sponsored by Santander
McLaren Automotive
The Manufacturer of the Year Runner Up – sponsored by Meggitt Plc
ZF Lemforder – manufacturer of front and rear suspension modules with worldclass results in both quality and delivery.
Innovation & Design – sponsored by Autodesk
Winner: McLaren Automotive
Citation: A-SAFE – the inventor and manufacturer of the world’s first fixed polymer safety barrier system, transforming barriers in the workplace.
Customer Focus – sponsored by A.T. Kearney
PP Control & Automation – one of the world’s leading providers of strategic subcontract outsourcing solutions to many of the largest and most successful machinery manufacturers.
People & Skills – sponsored by LCR 4.0
Dura Automotive – a world-class leading independent designer, manufacturer and innovator of drive and seating control systems, safety hardware, structural body systems, exterior trim and integrated glass systems.
Manufacturing in Action
IMI Precision Engineering – a world-leader in motion and fluid control technologies.
Manufacturing Services – sponsored by Institute for Manufacturing (IfM)
Agrimech – a British manufacturer of end of line automation machinery to weigh, bag and palletise a wide range of products.
Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Meggitt Plc
Winner: Kodi Gledhill (Coca-Cola European Partners)
Citation: Sam da Rosa (Ford Motor Company)
Partnership with Education – sponsored by Innovate UK
Leyland Trucks – manufactures the full range of DAF products from one of Europe’s most advanced truck assembly facilities.
Sustainable Manufacturing – sponsored by ThinCats
Interface – the world’s largest manufacturer of modular carpet, and has recently expanded into modular resilient flooring with a new luxury vinyl tile line.
Young Manufacturer of the Year – sponsored by Sage
Thomas d’Arcy (Rolls-Royce)
Smart Factory – sponsored by Siemens
McLaren Automotive
Supply Chain Excellence – sponsored by Grant Thornton
Domino Printing Sciences – a business with a global reputation for the continual development and manufacture of its total coding and printing technologies.
Leadership & Strategy – sponsored by Columbus
Winner: Jaguar Land Rover – Britain’s largest automotive manufacturer, building premium vehicles for 136 markets worldwide.
Highly Commended: Lander Automotive – a company with a history of change, adaption and innovation spanning 140 years.
World Class Manufacturing – sponsored by SAP
Dura Automotive
