Institution of Mechanical Engineers

MX Partners and Sponsors

The Manufacturing Excellence Awards are with the support of the following organisations.

PARTNERS

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.
BP has been involved with production and manufacturing activities around the globe for over 70 years. The MX Awards and the accompanying benchmarking data provide a great opportunity for companies to promote their own good practice and learn from others. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers continue to provide a lead for manufacturing excellence in the UK and elsewhere.
The InnovationXchange (IXC UK Ltd) is the UK’s leading practitioner of open innovation, with its own global, secure, managed environment for the exchange of ideas and know-how between companies, universities and research institutes. Offering outstanding inter-company collaboration opportunities through its commercially-neutral intermediary service, it is helping its clients develop new products, access new markets and improve business processes. That’s why IXC is so proud to be sponsoring the Process Innovation category in this year’s MX awards.
BERR 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
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.
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 over the last five years 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.

SPONSORS

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.
The National B2B Centre is a Centre of Excellence for e-business in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), providing free expert and impartial e-business advice to SMEs seeking to gain real business value from internet technologies. Based at Warwick Manufacturing Group and funded by Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Centre offers one to one consulting, publishes best practice advice, runs seminars and workshops and distributes a monthly e-newsletter. In April 2006 the Centre became the first and only public sector organisation to be awarded Premier Practice Status by the Institute of Management Consultancy (IMC). As only the 27 th Premier Practice in the UK, the Centre ranks with top consulting firms across the country.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers would like to thank DMG for their assistance with the manufacture of the Manufacturing Excellence Awards trophies. Manufacturing these prestigious trophies is no easy task but as the Award winners will testify they are a heavyweight sign of success.
The UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (UKRC) was established in 2004 to deliver a substantial part of the Government's Strategy for Women in SET (2003). The aim of the UKRC is to increase the participation and position of women in science, engineering and technology. Its mission is to establish a dynamic centre that provides accessible, high quality information and advisory services to industry, academia, professional institutes, education and Research Councils within the SET and built environment professions, whilst supporting women entering, returning and progressing in SET careers.