Hunt Begins to Find Best UK Manufacturer MX2007 (25th anniversary) gets underway

Sandra Osborne MP is appealing for firms in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock Constituency to enter the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ (IMechE) Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Awards for 2007.  The winner of the competition, one of the most prestigious in the business world, will win the coveted title of the UK’s best manufacturer.

This is the 25th anniversary of the awards, set up initially by a dedicated team of IMechE members and business representatives to promote and protect the heritage of our UK industry and, most importantly, share best practice.

Sandra said:
‘I would encourage any firms, of any size, to enter these free awards, run in partnership with some of the country’s leading business names from Barclays to the DTI’s Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) and supported by Warwick Manufacturing Group.  Each firm that enters is entitled to a free bespoke benchmark Report from a panel of manufacturing expert’s worth up to £20,000 after filling in a Self Assessment Audit.

The Report will offer ‘top tips’ service to firms with invaluable advice on how to improve performance, taking size and resources into consideration.  Furthermore, all MX participating companies are entitled to a free on-site diagnostic ‘health check’ visit of up to five days from MAS.  Deadline for entries is 1 March 2007.’

Finalists for the 11 categories will be invited to a glittering awards ceremony on 13 June at the Mariott Hotel in London where the winners (and overall MX winner) will be announced.

Sandra commented:
‘I hope to see as many companies as possible enter as everyone is a winner.  MX, now running in Germany, is now known as the international hallmark of best practice in manufacturing and we, as MPs, should be doing all we can to support MX and these companies.

For those that reach with final, they will have demonstrated that they are the elite in their field.  A positive effect of this would be an enhanced local economy and potentially, more jobs for the area.’

Firms interested should visit the dedicated website www.mx2007.org.uk or email mx2007@imeche.org.uk  Alternatively, telephone 0207 973 1287.