BIS Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) was established to provide specialist advice and assistance for UK manufacturers facing the challenges of globalisation. Operating though 10 regional centres covering England and Wales and now operating in Scotland, each MAS region has a team of professional manufacturing specialists who have the skills and manufacturing experience to confidently go out to companies and make a real difference. And with the minimum of fuss and no unnecessary forms to complete, you can get the support you need from day one. With its focus on both the promotion and implementation of best practice, MAS is proud that its aims closely align with those of MX and will be working to actively support and promote the awards as a principal sponsor of the Awards

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualise, simulate and analyse real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. Autodesk are sponsoring the Product Innovation Award.

The ERA Foundation promotes innovation in electrotechnology to strengthen the economic vitality of the UK. It -

*Seeks to raise the profile of research and development in the electrotechnology sector;

*Supports young engineers at formative stages of their careers;

*Provides grants to support electrotechnology projects at early stages of commercialisation;

*Invests in technology funds which make early-stage investments in young electrotechnology companies.

World class manufacturing requires world class skills. This is the key driver behind the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing. With employers firmly in the driving seat, the Skills Academy is a centre of innovation and excellence dedicated to raising standards of skills and work-based learning within UK manufacturing and thereby helps enhance the sector's global competitiveness.

All training solutions aligned with the National Skills Academy possess the badge of quality against these national standards for both the content and delivery. It is a beacon for security for manufacturing employers to maximise the return on learning investment for both the individual and the employer.

The National Skills Academy for Manufacturing is proud to be sponsoring the awards which support its aim of recognising best practice and excellence in manufacturing.

Semta is the employer-led skills council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies in the UK.  The sectors it represents are:  Aerospace, Automotive, Bioscience, Electrical, Electronics, Maintenance, Marine, Mathematics, Mechanical, Metals and Engineered Metal Products and Science.  Its role is to raise skills levels and competitiveness in the 76,000 companies and 2 million-strong workforce that make up these sectors. Its National Skills Academy for Manufacturing delivers an independent national standard for manufacturing training content, delivery and process by focusing on business return which is typically 6:1.

PE enjoys a reputation for high standards and providing information which is interesting and of value to its widespread readership. Close involvement with the Manufacturing Excellence Awards has provided us with unique access to case studies which help to inspire others to emulate best practice in manufacturing.

Manufacturing is a vital part of the UK economy and, as one of the world's leading professional services firms, PricewaterhouseCoopers are committed to strengthening this sector. Our UK group, of more than 300 practitioners, advises manufacturing companies throughout the UK. An in-depth understanding of key industry issues and our work with industry are central to our delivery of services to our manufacturing clients. PricewaterhouseCoopers partnership with the Manufacturing Excellence Awards helps us share our knowledge and experience with UK manufacturers encouraging them to be the best that they can be.

Warwick Manufacturing Group supports the promotion of best practice and fosters the development of technical solutions that create wealth for manufacturing companies. Our involvement in the MX Awards helps maintain the essential links between industry and Warwick University, ensuring our research and teaching is relevant, meeting the needs of our students and our many industrial partners.

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important aspect of today's manufacturing industries, as concern for the environment, climate change and the depletion of natural resources grows. Corporate clients, public sector customers and end consumers are more questioning of the origins of the goods they buy, making increased sustainability for manufacturers not simply a duty or a chore but, for those who approach the challenge creatively, an opportunity for competitive differentiation. Arup has chosen to sponsor the MX award for Sustainable Manufacturing to raise the profile of this exciting new dimension and the opportunities is offers, and to reward those companies leading the way in the creation of this new economic paradigm.

Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail banking, credit cards, corporate banking, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services, with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.

The Barclays Group has an extensive global presence; operating in more than 50 countries and employing more than 145,000 people, we move, lend, invest and protect money for more than 49 million customers and clients worldwide.

Our corporate banking network comprises 23 countries in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia and serves more than 180,000 businesses and organisations.

We follow a 'client first' approach - understanding customers' needs enables us to deliver effective working capital solutions covering cash management, trade and liquidity.

MX would like to thank DMG UK for their assistance with the trophies for the 2010 awards.

Their approach is summed up in the words 'connect' and 'catalyse'.

Much of their work is in spreading knowledge, understanding policy, spotting opportunities and bringing people together to solve problems or make new advances. They also invest in and manage a range of delivery mechanisms and programmes to drive technology-enabled innovation.

To guide the work they have identified technology areas and application areas where efforts are focused, with Innovation Platforms targeting specific areas of challenge.