MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2008 GETS UNDERWAY

12.00.00am GMT Mon 29th Oct 2007

Paul Keetch MP is urging firms in the area to enter the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' (IMechE) Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Awards 2008.

The MX awards are the most prestigious 'Oscars' in the business world and benchmark best practice in UK manufacturing. Some of the world's biggest industry names, from Barclays, Pricewaterhouse Cooper, BP, Autodesk and the Government's manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) are supporting MX2008.

Paul Keetch MP said: " I hope to see as many companies as possible enter MX2008, as the competition is known as the national hallmark of best practice in manufacturing and we as MPs, should be doing all we can to support this country's manufacturing industry, these companies are our future.

"Protecting the heritage of UK manufacturing and skills is a hugely important task, and to support this I would encourage any firms, of any size, to enter. They are free and run in partnership with some of the country's leading business names, including the Warwick Manufacturing Group," Paul Keetch added.

Deadlines for entries is 28 February 2008. Firms have been judged by some of the UK's top business experts, including Barclays Corporate Director, Graeme Allinson, MAS West midlands Chief Executive, David Wright, and Lord Bhattacharyya, Director of WMG.

Graeme Allinson judges MX2007 and said; "I am continually impressed with the ingenuity and quality of product design by UK firms that enter the MX Awards. Some of them are real world beaters. The way forward for our manufacturers is to invest in quality and value. The majority of firms need to double spending in research and development to ensure we become the world leaders in quality."

Companies can compete for awards ranging from Best Overall Business, Best SME, Best Sustainable Manufacturer, Product Innovation and Best Business Education Partnership.

Each firm that enters is entitled to a free, bespoke Benchmark report from a panel of manufacturing experts and independently valued at £20,000 after filling in a Self Assessment Audit. The report will offer 'top tips' service to firms with invaluable advice on how to improve performance, taking size, industry and resources into consideration.

MX is one of the world's longest-running business schemes in U and was first set up 25 years ago by a dedicated team of ImechE members and business representatives to promote and protect the heritage of our UK industry and, most importantly, shared best practice.

Finalist for the awards will be invited to a glittering awards ceremony on 26 June at the Dorchester in London where winners and overall MX winner will be announced.

Firms interested in entering should visit www.mxawards.org or email h_morgan@imeche.org. Media enquires should be directed to the ImechE Press Office on 020 7304 6973/6877 or email media@imeche.org