EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, had launched an awards scheme designed to reward enterprise, innovation, environmental performance and skills development among the UK’s 130,000 manufacturing businesses. Particular recognition will be given to companies that are seizing business opportunities presented by the market for low-carbon products and services.

“With the UK’s services economy in disarray, it is time for the manufacturing industry to get the recognition it deserves as the UK’s true engine of economic growth and a hotbed of innovative thinking,” says EEF CEO, Gilbert Toppin. “Too many people have a negative view of manufacturing which is out of date. We’ll show them how wrong they are by drawing the country’s attention to those businesses that are breaking down barriers, reinventing the rules and reaching out for new opportunities to create a manufacturing industry this country can be proud of.”

The EEF Future Manufacturing Awards will recognise achievements in three areas: innovation, enterprise and the environment. Awards will be granted in five regions with the regional winners, announced in November, going forward to compete for national awards in each category, plus an overall Manufacturing Achievement Award. There will also be an apprentice award in each region, along with a national Apprentice of the Year award.

Entry is open to all UK manufacturing businesses. Entry forms, available from the Awards Web site, must be returned by the end of July.