Finalists announced for 2014 Best Factory Awards

Dr Marek Szwejczewski, director of the Best Factory Awards, said"Now in its 23rd year, the awards recognise and honour those UK manufacturers who are leading the way when it comes to continuous improvement and delivering superior results for their customers. "This year's awards generated a high number of entries all of a very high calibre. This is very encouraging for UK manufacturing showing the sector is very much alive and thriving even in the turbulent times in which we are living." He added: "The majority of the shortlisted companies are achieving increased sales in home and exports markets. This growth has come about due to an increased focus on their manufacturing capabilities during the recent downturn in UK manufacturing." This year 13 plants have been shortlisted: • 3M UK, Newton Aycliffe - Manufactures a range of disposable and reusable respirators. • Alcoa Manufacturing GB, Kitts Green, Birmingham – Produces strong aluminium alloy plates for use in aerospace, defence applications and general engineering markets. • Autoglym, Letchworth, Hertfordshire – The plant produces products used in the cleaning and polishing of automotive vehicles. • Bosch Thermotechnology, Worcester – Manufactures high efficiency heating and hot water appliances. • Brita Water Filter Systems, Bicester – Produces water filter cartridges. • City Technology, Portsmouth – The plant makes gas sensors for sensing equipment. • Coca-Cola Enterprises, Sidcup - Carbonated and still soft drink manufacturer. • Cummins Power Generation, Manston, Ramsgate – Constructs diesel and gas powered generators for primary and secondary standby power. • Eaton Production International, Industrial Control Division, Worksop – Manufactures switch disconnectors and cam switches. • InterFlex Group, Sunderland - The plant manufactures flexible packaging for the food and healthcare industries. • LINPAC Packaging, St Helens - Produces direct contact food packaging for food service industry. • MSD, Cramlington - Makes solid dose pharmaceutical products for global markets. • Prism Electronics, St Ives, Cambridgeshire – Offers a wide range of electronics manufacturing services with full engineering support. In addition to the prestigious Factory of the Year Award, there are 13 other awards: Best Process Plant Award; Best Engineering Plant Award; Best Electronics and Electrical Plant Award; Best Household and General Products Plant Award; Best SME; People & Skills Development Award; Export Award; Supply Chain Award; Most Improved Plant Award; Health & Safety Award; Innovation Award; Energy and Environment Award and the Judges' Special Award. Max Gosney, group editor of Works Management, said: "The variety of sectors represented among our finalists points to a flourishing UK manufacturing industry and is testimony to the high calibre of the men and women who work in this vibrant sector. I congratulate all those who have made it through the tough and robust Best Factory Awards judging process. They can feel justifiably proud to have reached the finals of the UK's ultimate manufacturing awards." All entrants receive a free benchmarking report comparing aspects of their plants' performance with the average for the sector. If you would like to book a place at this glittering event, contact julie.knox@findlay.co.uk or visit the website: www.bestfactoryawards.co.uk