EEF awards recognise people power in UK manufacturing

EEF awards recognise people power in UK manufacturing

Manufacturers can show what they’re made of by entering the 2011 EEF Manufacturing Future Awards.

Once again there will be a strong focus on people management and apprentices, and applications are invited for The Innovative People Management Award, sponsored by JAM Recruitment, and The Skills & Training Award, sponsored by Westfield Health.  

A new award for 2011 has been introduced, sponsored by Rolls-Royce, that will recognise outstanding achievement by a young apprentice in final year of Key Stage 4 young apprenticeship programme.  In addition, EAL are again sponsoring the Apprentice Awards categories for outstanding achievement by first and final year apprentices.

In 2010 Cambridge-based Carl Zeiss, a high tech business that designs, manufactures and sells scanning electron microscopes, won the national Innovative People Practices Award, sponsored by JAM Recruitment. By adopting visual management system of lean working practice, the business increased orders by 30 per cent, while increased departmental efficiency helped close big deals against competitors.

Heavy engineering business DavyMarkham, of Darnall, Sheffield, won The Skills Award, sponsored by Westfield Health, for the company that has done most to harness the talents of its people. Through placing value on the skills of its staff and revitalising an apprenticeship programme, the business boosted profitability, quality and productivity.

The 2010 national award for Outstanding Achievement by a First Year Apprentice went  to Mark Empson, an apprentice aviation engineer for Cobham Plc, in Wimbourne, Dorset. The judges said: “Mark’s contribution to his employer is outstanding at both the technical and general levels. Rarely have we witnessed such levels of commitment in a young person.”

Alan Maguire, age 21, of BAE Systems in Preston, Lancashire, received The Outstanding Achievement by a Final Year Apprentice. His ingenious ideas have been implemented into standard operating policy within BAE Systems.

In 2011, businesses of all sizes are invited to share their success stories and demonstrate how manufacturing and engineering companies are at the forefront of re-building the UK economy.

In partnership with headline sponsor Infor - a leading business software company - the regional and national awards recognise outstanding business performance in: innovation; enterprise and environmental responsibility. They also celebrate the achievements of apprentices – saluting those young people who are the rising stars of UK manufacturing. 

EEF Chief Executive Terry Scuoler said: “Now in its third year, the EEF Awards prove that even in the toughest economic conditions, UK manufacturers are breaking down barriers, reinventing the rules and reaching out for new opportunities. This year’s awards will underline the dynamic manufacturing industry we can all be proud of.”

The judges are seeking stories of inspiration, passion, ingenuity, and sheer hard work.  Chair of Judges Professor Steve Evans, from Cranfield University, said the Future Manufacturing Awards showcase the dynamic ideas put in place to overcome hard times and help grow our economy. 

Infor Marketing Director Emma Rainey said:”Sponsoring the awards and being part of the local and national judging panels last year gave a fantastic insight into the levels of enthusiasm and innovation that is rife in the British economy. I call it typical British defiance that innovation will not be beaten down when times are tough.”

The Future Manufacturing Awards will be judged in six regions across the UK throughout September, and regional winners will be announced at celebration events sponsored by Santander Corporate Banking, in November. Regional winners in each category will then compete for the national awards at a prestigious national ceremony in London in January 2012.