Composites UK announces 2020 industry award winners

After entries closed at the end of July, these were shortlisted in September to the top two companies/people per category. The winners are now announced as the following:

• Trainee/Apprentice of the Year – Thomas Wakefield, Teledyne CML Composites (Runner-Up – James Stewart, CCP Gransden)
• Employee of the Year – Geraint Havard, R-Tech Materials (Runner-Up – Nick Robinson, MPM Ltd)
• Sustainability Award – Prodrive Composites (Runner-Up – Chemical Processing Services)
• Innovation in Composite Manufacture – Cygnet Texkimp (Runner-Up – CCP Gransden)
• Innovation in Composite Design – Ford Motor Company and Partners (Runner-Up – Cecence)
• Innovation in Composite Materials – Bitrez (Runner-Up – Alvant)
• Health and Safety Award – Bitrez (Outright winner)
• Start-Up Business of the Year – iCOMAT (Outright winner)

Claire Whysall, Communications Manager at Composites UK, said:

“It was sad yet inevitable that the awards dinner would be cancelled this year due to COVID-19. However, this hasn’t stopped our industry from celebrating everything they have achieved. The amount of entries we received matched those of previous years, and the ongoing pandemic allowed us to take a step back and really enhance the marketing package the shortlisted companies receive. This package will remain in place for the 2021 awards and beyond.”

All of the companies shortlisted receive a commemorative plaque, international press coverage, a case study published on the Composites UK website and social media, details about their company/entry sent out to the Composites UK database, the opportunity to produce a video for the Association’s You Tube channel and included in a digital Supplement produced by Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Magazine focussing solely on the awards. Those in the Innovation categories also got to present in an online networking event on 11th November.

In addition, the winners receive a physical award and the option to host one of the Association’s online member meets where they will get to talk about their business in front of other Composites UK members.

Claire added:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to enter this year, particularly knowing what we were all facing at the time. A big thank you also goes out to our sponsors – Zund UK, Pegbox Technical Recruitment, Minden Dust Extraction, Fluency Marketing, OB2B Marketing and PR, AGC Europe and Bindatex for investing in our online activities. Finally, thank you to Phil, Simon and the team at Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Magazine for working with us to produce the digital supplement.”

The 2021 Awards Dinner will return on 3rd November 2021 to the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham, coinciding with the Advanced Engineering Show.

Case studies of all the shortlisted entries are available to download from the Composites UK website.