Two impressive manufacturers picked up awards for exporting at the EEF/Aldermore Future Manufacturing Awards in London last week.
The annual awards are designed to showcase the depth of talent and achievement in the UK’s thriving manufacturing sector. The Outstanding Export Award, sponsored by UK mid-market private equity firm Dunedin, recognises manufacturers that have developed and implemented a successful new export strategy.
This year’s winner - Naylor Drainage, a Barnsley-based clay and plastic drainage pipes manufacturer - walked away with gold after impressing judges with its commitment and approach to boosting its exports. It transformed itself from a traditional 19th century manufacturer into a truly 21st century globally orientated enterprise, providing world class, highly-engineered technical drainage products and solutions. In the past four years the company has restructured itself to be totally focused on the customer and global growth.
The company was also crowned Winner of Winners on the night – an award presented to the most outstanding and inspiring company out of all the national winners and further testament to the impact of its export strategy success.
Naylor Drainage was selected by a panel of judges drawn from business leaders, industry experts and academics and was up against tough competition from a range of dynamic businesses, small and large, from across the UK.
Inciner8, a Southport-based industrial incinerator manufacturer employing 19 people, came in second-place for the Outstanding Export Award.
Edward Naylor, Chief Executive at Naylor Drainage, says: “There are so many fantastic manufacturers in the UK – to not only win the Outstanding Export Award, but also be named Winner of Winners, is a massive compliment. We have worked really hard to develop innovative products and to enter new markets and this is a very welcome recognition of the efforts of our entire team; we are all delighted.”
“Manufacturing is a thriving industry that drives jobs, growth and prosperity and we hope our success will encourage other manufacturers to step forward and share their achievements. It’s clear that our value is being increasingly recognised. We’re all delighted and feel that our hard work and dedication has paid off.”
Nicol Fraser, partner at Dunedin, said: “To develop and implement a successful international export strategy is a great achievement for any business. Moving into international markets takes time, money and patience and requires the right teams who understand the relevant cultures. Successful implementation, particularly in the manufacturing sector, drives growth and value in the company and has an enormous impact on the UK’s wider overall economic growth.
“Dunedin, as a growth-focused investor, is delighted to support the awards and I’d like to take this opportunity to commend Naylor Drainage for being named as winner in the Outstanding Export category and also Winner of Winners.”
The hunt for next year’s Future Manufacturing Awards winners has already started. For more information and to enter, visit: http://www.eef.org.uk/campaigning/awards-and-competitions/future-manufacturing-awards.