Businesses have just over three weeks left to apply to take part in Manufacturing Excellence 2012, the UK-wide business improvement programme which not only identifies and celebrates outstanding UK manufacturing businesses but can also help companies improve.

Applications to take part in the programme, which offers up to £20,000 of free consultancy, must be submitted by 1 June 2012.

Philippa Oldham, Head of Manufacturing at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers said:

“Manufacturing Excellence is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to show off their expertise and improve their practices in order to succeed.

“Entry is free and there is up to £20,000 free consultancy advice up for grabs as well as the chance to win at the prestigious Manufacturing Excellence Awards in November.”

Manufacturing Excellence works with all manufacturing businesses, whatever their size, age, sector or area of expertise to help improve their processes and showcase their successes and innovations.

With a 30 year history, 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 business.

Manufacturing Excellence 2012 is run in partnership with The ERA Foundation, Lombard and WMG; sponsored by Arup and supported by the CBI.

As well as Awards for Best Manufacturer and Best SME, categories for this year are: Business Development and Change Management; Customer Focus; Financial Management; Innovation in Products and Processes; Logistics and Operational Efficiency; Partnership with Education; People Effectiveness; Sustainable Manufacturing; and Most Improved Company.

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has over 100,000 members working in over 19,000 different companies.

Last year’s winners included mechanical seals manufacturer AESSEAL, transit packaging manufacturer Loadhog, train manufacturer Bombardier and Agfa Graphics. To read more about their stories: http://www.mxawards.org/process/audit-categories

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers was established in 1847 and has some of the world’s greatest engineers in its history books. It currently has over 100,000 members, representing mechanical engineers involved in a diversity of fields such as the automotive, rail, aerospace, medical, power and construction industries.
 
To enter visit http://www.mxawards.org/process