The Manufacturer Top 100 for 2024 was announced yesterday evening at an exclusive ceremony as part of Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week at Birmingham’s NEC.
Now in its 11th year, The Manufacturer Top 100 scours the length and breadth of the nation to find the 100 most dynamic leaders and innovators in manufacturing, nominated by The Manufacturer’s audience, the industrial community and judged by a panel of industry leaders, academics and manufacturing associations.
The Manufacturer Top 100 celebrates the heroes of UK manufacturing and recognises their contribution to Net Zero, Digital Transformation, Innovation and Leadership. We shine a spotlight on Unsung Heroes, Sector Activists and the Young Pioneers making an impact in the industry disproportionate to their years. And for those that have demonstrated particularly impressive achievements, our judging panel choose 20 for a special recognition – we call them ‘Exemplars’.
Sponsors
Executive Education Partner: Cranfield University
Cranfield University provides world-class and specialist research, education, training and consultancy in manufacturing and plays a key role in ensuring that the UK remains at the cutting edge of manufacturing research. Cranfield is unique in its multi-disciplinary approach by bringing together design, technology and management insight. Cranfield is a driving force for both the rapid growth of established areas of manufacturing expertise and the development of new research areas. Research partnerships are undertaken with more than 500 organisations of all sizes and disciplines, and industry advisory panels ensure Cranfield’s graduates move seamlessly from the academic world into the world of work and provide skills the sector needs.
Cranfield’s world-class facilities include the ultra-precision machining laboratory, which houses a range of state-of-the-art equipment able to machine ultra-precision components of around two metres in diameter with details in the sub-micrometre range. The University joined the Royce Institute, the UK’s national centre for advanced materials research and innovation, as an Associate Partner, sharing its expert capability in research through its National High Temperature Surface Engineering Centre.
Official Talent Partner: Michael Page
Michael Page Manufacturing sources the top talent across a wide range of roles, from operations to technical and compliance. Health, safety, environment and quality roles are an essential part of its offering, and are delighted to be able to help ensure the safety and wellness of all workers in the organisations it works with.
By sponsoring the Top 100 awards, as well as the People & Skills category at The Manufacturer MX Awards, Michael Page is reaffirming its commitment to UK manufacturing and the individuals and companies that make it so special.
Partner: Elecosoft
Elecosoft provides integrated solutions to support the lifecycle of buildings and facilities across a range of industries to underpin efficient operational management. Our established portfolio of software and SaaS services comprises solutions for planning and project management, asset and facility maintenance management, to allow our customers to optimise the performance and day-to-day operations of their organisation.
ShireSystem by Elecosoft, is an Asset Maintenance and Facilities Management solution delivered as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and is one of the UK’s leading maintenance management applications. It allows your organisation to have access to all your asset data in one place and ensure that planned and reactive maintenance programs are completed on time, to budget and are compliant to any industry regulations.
ShireSystem puts you in control of your maintenance strategy allowing you to increase productivity and reduce downtime, as well as ensure the health and safety of your workforce using our in-built and extensive risk analysis and permit to work capabilities.
Partner: Ericsson
Ericsson Private 5G is a next-generation, private network, tailored to drive Industry 4.0, the modernisation and digitalisation of infrastructures and business process operations.
Organisations gain secure and powerful 4G LTE and 5G Standalone (SA) connectivity allowing them to optimise and simplify business critical operations through data creation, collection, and analysis.
Built on Ericsson’s successful 4G/5G radios and dual mode core technology, Ericsson Private 5G unlocks a wide variety of innovative use cases for both indoor and outdoor environments while easily integrating with business operations, devices and applications. As a result, companies can improve productivity and create more value for customers, all while using a solution that is secure and more environmentally friendly.
Partner: InspireXT
InspireXT are supply chain experts, helping manufacturers & retailers deliver agile, scalable and profitable operations using the latest AI-powered cloud solutions from Oracle & Salesforce. They create Customer-Centric Supply Chains linking front and back offices, with balanced planning & execution, e2e product traceability, embedded quality assurance & regulatory compliance, real-time & integrated visibility of inventory, quotes, orders and products, and continuous improvement & innovation.
Joe Bush, Editor of The Manufacturer, said: “The Top 100 is a night we particularly look forward to at The Manufacturer, it’s something that’s very dear to our hearts as it’s a real celebration of the amazing individuals that work in the sector and make it what it is.
“It’s amazing to think that this year marks my fourth as host of the Top 100. However, I’m just as amazed by the programme as I was back in 2021 due to the insight it offers into this incredible sector. We’ve spent the last few months putting the publication together and speaking with this year’s intake and your stories never fail to inspire.”
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Know someone inspirational in manufacturing?
Nominate them for The Manufacturer Top 100 2025: TheManufacturerTop100.com
