Press release

Yorkshire becomes champion region for manufacturing

July 11, 2011

Yorkshire is most successful region in first stage of programme to find best manufacturing businesses in the UK

Yorkshire was the most successful region in the first stage of the Manufacturing Excellence programme to assess, develop and celebrate the best in UK manufacturing.
The three Yorkshire companies short-listed as part of the Manufacturing Excellence programme were Leeds-based imaging, software and printing manufacturer Agfa Graphics, Rotheram-based mechanical seals manufacturer AESSEAL and Sheffield-based reusable packaging manufacturer Loadhog. There were 21 companies shortlisted across the UK in total.
Stephen Tetlow Chief Executive at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers said:
“Manufacturing is at the heart of Yorkshire’s history and future, and these three companies show that the area is full of the innovation and skills essential to helping the country’s economy recover.”
“It’s fitting that following Vince Cable’s call for MPs to find examples of great UK manufacturing as part of the ‘Made in Britain’ project, we can show that Yorkshire is a centre for excellent manufacturing.”
As part of the Manufacturing Excellence programme companies are asked to conduct an in-depth self assessment and those who complete one or more of the eight parts receive a free, bespoke and confidential benchmark report. The best companies in each module, receive a visit from a team of expert assessors who verify the audit responses and offer practical advice and suggestions for the business.
The final winners are then announced at the MX Awards ceremony in London in November 2011.
Entry to Manufacturing Excellence is free as it is supported by PwC, Autodesk, PP Business Improvement, The ERA Foundation, Lombard, WMG, Arup, and Barclays Corporate.
Manufacturing Excellence is endorsed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Manufacturing Excellence is the most successful and long established manufacturing awards programme in the UK, and the only one that provides such a detailed benchmarking and assessment process to help improve your manufacturing businesses.
The full list of shortlisted companies is available here: http://www.imeche.org/manufacturingexcellence