Category best factory award in UK

The winners of the Best Factory Awards (BFAs)  have been revealed.

Sony UK Technology Centre, Pencoed which makes specialist broadcast camera systems took the coveted overall Toyota Material Handling Factory of the Year prize. 

Sony also scooped the Innovation Award and Best Electronics & Electrical Plant Award at the BFAs run by Cranfield School of Management in partnership with Works Management. 

Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems, Bosch Thermotechnology and Milliken European Airbag Products scooped the other three main sector awards of Best Process Plant, Best Engineering Plant and Best Household & General Products Plant, respectively. 

In the category prizes, Cummins Power Generation, Ramsgate became the inaugural winner of the new Export Award. Eaton Production International, Worksop took the Energy & Environment Award. Tharsus Group, Blyth was named Best SME and Tata Global Beverages, Eaglescliffe won the Judges' Special Award. 

Siemens Industry Motion Control, Congleton was crowned People & Skills Development champion and Bosch also scooped the Health & Safety Award. 

There were also Highly Commended wins for DS Smith Packaging, Livingston; Vi-Spring, Ernesettle; Autoglym, Letchworth; Herman Miller, Chippenham; and EMS Radio Fire & Security Systems, Herne Bay.

Dr Marek Szwejczewski, director of the Best Factory Awards, commented: "Our awards aim to recognise and reward those factories that have quietly and consistently improved their operations and created world-class plants. One of the encouraging trends that can be seen among this year's winners is that manufacturing is coming home. 

"Several of the plants have been able to attract production to the UK by offering competitive labour costs and improved flexibility by compressing lead times, reducing set-up times and developing multi-skilled workers. This has given Britain's best factories a competitive edge compared to competitors in other countries." 

Max Gosney, Works Management (WM) editor said: "From cam switches to tea bags, the diversity of our winners proves you don't have to be making something advanced to thrive as a manufacturer in the UK. 

"The true brilliance of our Best Factory stars is not in the technological prowess of what rolls off their factory floor, but in the enduring power of their ideals: innovative processes, outstanding product quality, inspiring people management and an unyielding desire to exceed all customer expectations." 

The Best Factory Awards took place at London's 8 Northumberland Avenue and attracted an audience of over 300 manufacturing leaders. 

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