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Q What was the best bit about the 2012 Best Factory Awards? Highlights would have to be hearing the great news stories about the innovative processes and engagement initiatives implemented by so many different organisations – and the inspiring level of commitment out there to improving the business. What most stood out at the 2012 awards was the sense of teamwork and pride throughout the organisations that were involved. This is far from being just an awards ceremony, underpinned as it is by the conference and all of the tangible benefits that delivers. Many manufacturers tell us how much they like the way they are structured and the detail involved in the independent assessments that take place, especially with the involvement of Cranfield School of Management. Moreover, from EAL's perspective, the BFAs give us the opportunity to see how factories are striving to embed skills into their organisations. The awards clearly demonstrate that standing still in today's economy is not an option – it is vital to evolve to survive. At the same time, the awards help raise the profile of British manufacturing and so there was no doubt we wanted to be involved again in 2013. Q How would Britain's best factories fare in a worldwide Top Factory competition? In every industry there is room for improvement, but the quality and output EAL has witnessed from UK factories, particularly from the engineering and manufacturing sectors, is there to be seen, even in challenging economic times; that quality shines through at every stage. What really comes across as well is the continuing concern with skills development our best factories exhibit – and that is something that will win us (the UK) the top spot against any competition. Q What's the key challenge for UK manufacturers in the next 12 months? The importance of upskilling and training is something that sometimes can be overlooked – not through any lack of desire on the part of manufacturing, but rather because the tendency in challenging times is to concentrate on your short-term needs. We would urge every UK manufacturer to review the skills and training in their organisation to ensure their resources are prepared to meet with the challenges of globalisation and an ever-increasingly competitive marketplace. Every employee can offer more with the right skills and training – from lean working practices to continuous improvement initiatives. Addressing skills gap challenges now can yield a huge return on investment quickly, while motivating and inspiring the workforce – a recipe for success. Q What should manufacturers know about EAL? EAL is the only awarding organisation to maintain a specific focus on the manufacturing industry – and it is this technical expertise that ensures EAL qualifications specifically meet industry need, and deliver real career benefits for learners and their employers. We listen to industry and our lean operation means we can react quickly to employer need. Employers should know that EAL can always provide bespoke qualification solutions and they shouldn't be afraid to ask for our support. Q What's your favourite UK-manufactured product and why? It would be difficult to ever specify a favourite. Our minds straight away lean towards our manufacturing giants and rightly so – they have been defining icons of British industry. But I believe we should also take inspiration from British manufacturing champions that advocate the potential of small, innovative manufacturing processes – such as Emma Bridgewater [the British ceramics manufacturer, based in the Potteries]. Building a brand in a declining market, based on premium priced products, shows that it is more about understanding your customer, and their drivers for purchase, that will breed success. Q What do you wish was made in GB? I'd like to see the UK be able to reinvigorate many of its traditional industries – automotive manufacturing, electronic engineering or further advances in the steel industries. The UK has some of the best engineering expertise and, by continuing to invest in skills, we are tipped to once again become one of the world's engineering leaders. Champagne would have been a great accolade, too – but we have to date failed to engineer the weather!