Bumper manufacturing awards haul for Midlands SME

Power Panels Electrical Systems, based in Walsall, also scooped the Best Electronics & Electrical Plant, the Skills Development Award – sponsored by the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing - and the Grant Thornton-backed Best Small Company Award. It employs 180 people at the Walsall site and this year sales have grown by over 20%. The Best Factory Awards bring together the best manufacturers in the business to share best practice and to celebrate their achievements. The awards recognise UK manufacturing excellence, particularly companies with pioneering work practices. Cranfield School of Management’s Dr Marek Szwejczewski, who is director of the Awards, said: “Power Panels set the standard in manufacturing excellence. “It has invested steadily to achieve guaranteed repeatable quality – the by-product of this has been production efficiency. It is clear that it lives and breathes ‘adding value’ for the customer. The company helped one customer double output without the need for any additional space or people – a remarkable achievement! The entire operation is structured around one beneficiary – the customer. “Power Panels takes hard-working people and turns them into a committed workforce, whose skills and attitude put them at the very top of the industrial tree.” Works Management editorial director Ken Hurst said: "Earlier this month the government launched a revitalised manufacturing strategy, which includes a new quango to improve the image of manufacturing and a school’s campaign to promote manufacturing career prospects to young people. The first thing I would do is to introduce the quango and the kids to the BFA winners – they’re real life examples of manufacturing at its best." The full list of winners, and highly commended plants for 2008: Barclays Factory of the Year: Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd, Walsall. Best Process Plant, sponsored by SOE IPlantE: Saint Gobain Glass UK, Eggborough, East Riding of Yorkshire: The plant manufactures flat glass for the construction industry, including float, coated and laminated glass products. Highly commended: Kodak Ltd GCG. People Management Award: Aimia Foods, Haydock, Merseyside: The plant operates extensive co-packing and outsourcing facilities for the vending and food service industries and is an independent specialist in hot and cold drinks. The National Skills Academy for Manufacturing-sponsored Skills Development Award: Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd, Walsall. Highly commended: Saint Gobain Glass UK, Eggborough, East Riding of Yorkshire. Best Engineering Plant: Gates Power Transmission, Dumfries: The plant manufactures synchronous timing belts and components for both the Automotive and Industrial markets. Highly commended: Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd, Worcester. Best Electronics and Electrical Plant: Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd, Walsall. Highly commended: Siemens Traffic Controls, Poole. Supply Chain Award, sponsored by Toyota Material Handling: Plexus Corp (UK) Limited, Kelso, Roxburghshire: The plant manufactures complex, high-tech products. It operates in a variety of markets including wireless infrastructure, medical, industrial, commercial, defence, security and aerospace. Highly commended: Gates Power Transmission, Dumfries. The DAK Consulting-sponsored Best Household and General Products Plant: Aimia Foods, Haydock, Merseyside. Highly commended: InterfaceFLOR, Halifax, West Yorkshire and The Wrigley Company, Plymouth, Devon. The Grant Thornton-sponsored Best Small Company: Power Panels Electrical Systems Ltd, Walsall. The Judges’ Special Award: APPH Runcorn Landing Gears, Runcorn: The plant produces hydraulic systems for the aerospace industry and specifically aircraft landing gears. Most Improved Plant, sponsored by TBM Consulting Group: Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd, Cramlington, Northumberland: The plant manufactures and packages a wide range of innovative pharmaceutical products. Highly commended: Bakkavor Pizza, Spalding, Lincs. The Autodesk-sponsored Innovation Award: Skymark Performance Films Ltd, Scunthorpe, North Lincs: The plant specialises in the production of hygienic, breathable and bespoke packaging films and co-extruded films. Highly commended: Plexus Corp (UK) Limited, Kelso, Roxburghshire. Energy & Environment Award, sponsored by Siemens Automation and Drives: InterfaceFLOR, Halifax, West Yorkshire: The plant produces environmentally-responsible modular floor coverings and other textiles. Highly commended: Saint Gobain Glass UK, Eggborough, East Riding of Yorkshire. The Unite-sponsored Health & Safety Award: Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd, Cramlington, Northumberland. The awards were presented on Friday 19 September at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.