Business Growth and Strategy

This award has been developed to recognise the most dynamic business growth based on an actively managed and consistently delivered growth strategy. This could include implementation of a new export strategy, business expansion or product diversification.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

  • Demonstrated overseas market share growth and globalisation strategy
  • Investment made to increase production digitalisation in order to support industry-beating growth objectives
  • Overcame challenges to enter new markets or new industry segment
  • Investment made in management/staff/apprentices training to upskill the workforce and increase productivity
  • Developed new products/service which led to significant business secured from new customers
  • Increased distribution base or establish new supply chains/increased resilience to support growth

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Developing Future Talent

This award has been developed to recognise those that have done the most to promote diversity, develop talent and build skills amongst their employees. This could also include promoting engineering and manufacturing careers through activities within the community.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

  • Promoted equality, diversity and inclusion through workplace initiatives
  • Improved recruitment, retention and promotion for minority groups
  • Implemented upskilling or retraining programme to meet skills gap and bring in new talent
  • Implemented apprenticeship or a mentoring programme to recruit young talent
  • Improved or increased digital skills in the workplace to support digital manufacturing future
  • Developed a programme to visit local primary and secondary schools to talk about business and career opportunities within the sector
  • Collaborative community activity to drive/promote manufacturing

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Energy & Sustainability

This award has been developed to recognise those that have done the most to improve overall environmental performance and enhance sustainability. This could have been achieved through efficiency savings in the use of raw materials, energy, water; the adoption of clean technologies; improved waste management and recycling; development of greener products; and/or more generally changing operational processes to increase environmental efficiency. It could be part of an initiative to commit to and/or plan for Net Zero by 2050 or earlier, or to contribute to the Government’s target to reduce electricity demand by 15%. 

Examples include (but are not limited to): 

  • Set out a greenhouse emission footprint reduction target aligned with or bettering the Govt net zero 2050 target. 
  • Cut the company’s onsite greenhouse gas emissions footprint through energy efficiency and/or use of renewable.
  • Reduce your energy consumption through energy or resource efficiency 
  • Addressed the environmental impact of waste and resource use
  • Promoted environmental awareness internally and externally
  • Redesigned supply chains or business models, or introducing new products that reduce whole lifecycle impacts
  • Nature-based actions to enhance bio-diversity
  • Demonstrated engaging with their supply chain to reduce their supply chain emissions

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Health and Safety and Wellbeing 

This award has been developed to recognise progress in improving the occupational health and safety culture of the workplace by introducing new or developing existing initiatives.  This could involve the implementation of recognised models such as the Bradley Curve ™ or IOSH’s Models of Safety ™. Other initiatives include promoting broader ownership of health and safety, simplifying risk management, anticipating and tackling new health and safety challenges, and promoting the benefits of an effective health and safety strategy, to improve employee wellbeing.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

  • Implemented a new programme for health, safety and wellbeing that has had demonstrable cultural change
  • Implemented programmes to improve employee safety that have reduced the company’s incident rate
  • Implemented a programme to reduce sickness absence and improve workplace wellbeing
  • Improved understanding of compliance through an educational programme 

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Innovation

This award celebrates innovations executed through new products, processes, markets and business models. Such innovations will be governed by strategic intent and have driven greater productivity, efficiency and or business growth, within the last three years. 

Examples include (but are not limited to):

  • Pioneering Product or Process Innovation: Recognition for the development of a novel product, process, or design that demonstrates potential to shape future markets.
  • Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: Acknowledgment for innovatively transforming manufacturing processes through strategic investment in digital technologies.
  • Adoption of Emerging Technologies: Commendation for investment in cutting-edge technologies previously unexplored within the sector, showcasing forward-thinking initiatives.
  • Collaborative Partnerships for Industry Solutions: Celebrating successful collaborations within the supply chain or with universities to address current economic challenges, such as volatile supply chains, and effectively bring new manufactured solutions to market.
  • Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity: Recognition for implementing innovative methods that significantly improve efficiency and productivity within manufacturing operations.
  • Innovative Business Model Evolution: Applauding the adoption of new business models that propel the company in a fresh direction, such as servitization or the introduction of circular economy principles, fostering sustainability and growth.

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Manufacturing Matters 

This award has been developed to recognise a company and/or collaboration that demonstrates exceptional adaptability and resilience to impact their business and improve lives and society.

This year we are specifically focussed on manufacturing companies who can demonstrate a positive societal impact as a result of their practices and/or products. We are looking for inspiring stories from UK manufacturers who have supported or enhanced their local community, network, or environment. 

Examples include (but are not limited to):

  • Promoted company-wide volunteer projects for employees to participate in
  • Set-up fundraising activities to raise money for charity as part of companywide initiative
  • Implemented a health and well-being programme to support your employees and their families
  • Offered work placements or training for those at risk of unemployment
  • Adapted your business and operating model to help community needs
  • Being involved with and supporting third party organisations to promote STEM and manufacturing careers, which can include being part of National Manufacturing Day 
  • Developed a new, innovative product/service that demonstrates the value and contribution of manufacturing to society

Read the full entry guidance >

SME of the year 

This award has been developed to champion businesses with less than 250 employees who have blazed a trail within the manufacturing sector. They will have led by example and developed progressive best practice for others in the industry. They will have shown exceptional initiative, boldness and dynamism, as well as exemplary management practices. 

Examples include (but are not limited to):

  • Exceptionally productive business spending/investment
  • Adoption of new technologies that increased productivity and capacity
  • Having deep ambition to scale in the future
  • Where staff have grown with the SME through its journey
  • Innovation and research supported and funded, even if total capital limited
  • Diversification in product or service offering, showcasing the business’s agility as an SME to meet changing demand
  • Demonstrated a commitment to supporting their local community