Best Factory Awards 2012 finalists revealed

The 14-strong Best Factory Award shortlist includes factories from global giants Sony, Siemens and Cummins as well as SME owned sites. The finalists come from corners of industry with products ranging from ready-to-use pastry to professional broadcast cameras. All 14 sites have displayed the outstanding manufacturing standards celebrated by the Best Factory Awards run by Cranfield School of Management in partnership with Works Management magazine. There are second straight final appearances for Aimia Foods, Haydock, which won the Best SME prize at last year's BFAs and Arla Foods, Lockerbie, a highly commended factory in the Judges Special Awards 2011. Former BFA winner Stannah Stairlifts, Andover will attempt to reclaim the title of Britain's Best Factory that it first won in 2003. The finalists will compete for category prizes including the Skills Development award and Most Improved Plant prize alongside the coveted overall prize of Britain's Best Factory. WM editor Max Gosney said: "Well done to all the factories and their teams on the shortlist. The Best Factory Awards are notoriously tough with the judges turning over every last stone on the factory floor. You should be incredibly proud to have made it to the finals of the ultimate manufacturing awards." Dr Marek Szwejczewski, director of the Best Factory Awards commented: "All of the finalists are beacons of excellence, driven by the desire to improve and excel and are growing despite the flat British economy." The winners will be announced at the BFA Awards on 28 September at the Park Lane Hotel, London. Tickets are selling out fast with early bird discounts only available for bookings made in the next few weeks. Secure your place by calling 01322 221144 or email julie.knox@findlay.co.uk The Best Factory Awards 2012 shortlist: -Entek International, Newcastle (battery separators) -Vernacare, Bolton (infection prevention products/healthcare) -Cummins Power Generation, Ramsgate (generators) -Colt International, Havant (climate/smoke control systems) -Siemens MR Magnet Technology, Witney (magnet technology for MRI scanners) -Sony UK Technology Centre, Bridgend (broadcast & professional cameras) -Stannah Stairlifts, Andover (Stairlifts) -Renishaw, Stroud (metrology/machine tool probes ) -Analox, Stokesley (gas sensors/alarms) -Aimia Foods, Haydock (vending machine products) -Arla Foods, Lockerbie (milk/dairy) -Benson Box, Bardon (folding food cartons) -General Mills Berwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed (ready to use pastry) -Bott, Bude (vehicle/workplace storage)