Finalists announced for 20th Best Factory Awards
Cranfield School of Management is delighted to announce which British factories have been shortlisted for the 2011 Best Factory Awards, now in their 20th year.
The award programme celebrates manufacturing excellence in the UK and is run by Cranfield School of Management in partnership with the magazine Works Management.
Among the contenders for the coveted overall prize of BFA Factory of the Year are plants that produce goods as diverse as soft contact lenses and scanning electron microscopes.
Dr Marek Szwejczewski, Director of the Best Factory Awards commented: “Now in its 20th year, the finalists in this year’s Best Factory Awards show how a dedicated approach to continuous improvement and innovation can deliver superior results. Those shortlisted are manufacturers that are experiencing high profits and growth, with many exporting a high proportion of what they produce. Key to all of their success is a continued investment in their workforce which is so critical in the current climate.”
This year 14 plants have been shortlisted:
Aimia Foods, Haydock, St Helens - 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.
Arla Foods, Lockerbie - Producers of bottled milk for supermarkets.
Barfoots of Botley Ltd, Pagham, West Sussex - Suppliers of sweet corn cobs to supermarkets and restaurants.
Camfil Farr, Haslingden, Lancashire - Producers of air filters for industrial and medical application.
Carefusion, Basingstoke, Hampshire - Assemble and test infusion pumps for use in hospitals.
Carl Zeiss NTS Ltd, Cambridge – Manufacturers of scanning electron microscopes.
ConvaTec Ltd, Deeside, Flintshire – Manufacturers of ostomy products and dressings for wounds and burns.
CooperVision, Southampton – Manufacturers of soft contact lenses.
Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems Ltd, Broadstairs, Kent – Producers of printing inks for digital printers.
Gurit Ltd, Newport, Isle of Wight – Providers of composite materials for marine and wind energy industries.
H.C. Starck Ltd, Calne, Wiltshire - Manufacturers of molybdenum semiconductor components used as carriers and contact plates for silicon wafers in thyristors, transistors and diodes.
LDS Test & Measurement Ltd, Royston, Hertfordshire – Producers of vibration test equipment for aerospace, automotive, defence and general industries.
Parker Hannifin Ltd, Birtley, Durham - Manufacturers of process filtration products.
Robert Bion & Co Ltd, Reading, Berkshire – Suppliers of metal and plastic perforated sheets.
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 Management Award; Skills Development Award; Supply Chain Award; Most Improved Plant Award; Health & Safety Award; Innovation Award; Energy and Environment Award and the Judges’ Special Award.
All entrants receive a free benchmarking report comparing aspects of their plants' performance with the average for the sector.
The winners will be announced at the BFA Awards Ceremony taking place on 30 September at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London.
Ends
Notes to editors
The Best Factory Awards 2011 are sponsored by Toyota Material Handling UK, DAK Consulting, IOSH, PP Electrical Systems, ABB, Schaeffler, Kronos, Zurich and DHL Supply Chain.
Cranfield School of Management is one of Europe’s leading university management schools renowned for its strong links with industry and business. It is committed to providing practical management solutions through a range of activities including postgraduate degree programmes, management development, research and consultancy. www.som.cranfield.ac.uk
Works Management is a leading industry journal, 62 years old this year, and renowned for covering best practice in the manufacturing sector. It is published by Findlay Media. www.worksmanagement.co.uk
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Emily Reed, Media Relations Office, Cranfield School of Management on:
T: +44 (0) 1234 754348 or E: sommediarelations@cranfield.ac.uk