Santander has been officially announced as the new headline sponsor of this year’s The Manufacturer MX Awards at an exclusive reception at the House of Commons.
With a 25% increase in entries and a sold-out ceremony and gala dinner in 2016, this year’s The Manufacturer MX Awards are expected to be bigger and better than ever.
Nominations are currently open for The Manufacturer MX Awards 2017, with the winners announced at a black-tie ceremony on 16 November in Liverpool.
Managing director of Hennik Group, organisers of The Manufacturer MX Awards, Henry Anson, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Santander is headline sponsors for The Manufacturer MX Awards 2017, demonstrating their commitment to the UK manufacturing sector during this incredibly dynamic and important time. We will be working with Santander to encourage even more, diverse entries across our 13 categories, and look forward to the judging process and the Awards ceremony.”
Paul Brooks, UK business development director – manufacturing, Santander Corporate & Commercial, commented: “Supporting manufacturers is a primary focus for Santander in 2017 and sponsoring these fantastic awards is one way to showcase our commitment to the sector throughout the year.
“We understand the fundamental importance of manufacturing to the success of the UK economy and look forward to celebrating this with industry leaders at the November awards.”
The Manufacturer MX Awards, the industry’s most prestigious annual programme, 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 awards programmes have seen 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: Rolls-Royce; Jaguar Land Rover; BAE Systems; GE Aviation Wales; Coca-Cola European Partners; Bombardier Aerospace; Ford Motor Group; 3M Health Care; Gripple; Siemens Industrial Technology, and MBDA Missile Systems.
Head of Manufacturing at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Philippa Oldham explained: “TMMX 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.”
Industry recognition
The recognition of being crowned The Manufacturer of the Year is one of the industry’s greatest achievements, as Dura Automotive Body and Glass Systems experienced at last year’s ceremony.
The Midlands-based SME manufacturer and first time entrant to The Manufacturer MX Awards, won four trophies in total, including: People & Skills, Sustainable Manufacturing, World Class Manufacturing, and overall The Manufacturer of the Year 2016.
Its plant manager, Martin Dinsley explained: “We entered to learn more about ourselves and understand what we need to do to improve for the future. A lot of people put in a great amount of hard work and it is amazing to be recognised in such a spectacular way. We couldn’t be more delighted to have won all three and then to receive the overall judges award. It was an amazing experience we will never forget.”