We are back for a fifth year of the Cotswold Life Engineering, Manufacturing and Innovation Awards
CLICK HERE to nominate.
We're thrilled to announced the launch of our fifth annual EMI Awards - the awards which recognise the truly excellent engineering, manufacturing and innovation companies who call the Cotswolds home.
Their success thus far is surely down to you, the brilliant businesses which have deservedly won these coveted trophies, our generous sponsors and judges who so willingly give of their time and expertise to sift through myriad entries to crown the worthy winners.
We're very much looking forward to celebrating your successes with you again this year at Cheltenham Racecourse.
The awards programme is now open, and entrants can register and nominate across the categories via the website: emiawards.cotswoldlife.co.uk.
There are categories to inspire every manufacturing and engineering business, from those with sustainability at their core to groundbreaking educational partnerships inspiring the next generation, game¬changing research and development programmes, awesome apprentices and recognition for those pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation.
Each year, it's impossible not to be amazed by the talent that's out there in Cotswolds' businesses; the extraordinary work you're doing, the products you're manufacturing, the breakthroughs you're making which keep us at the forefront of industry and put the Cotswolds on the global map.
The latest figures from the manufacturers' organisation, Make UK (formerly EEF), shows UK manufacturing employs 2.7m people and contributes 11% of GVA.
Goods produced here account for 45% of total exports, totalling £275bn, and the sector represents 69% of business R&D.
n addition, it provides 13% of business investment.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) puts the total value of manufacturers' product sales at £380.7bn at the last count fuelled by food and the automotive industry.
It's good news, particularly given the political climate.
But we know staying at the top of the game, innovating, adapting, isn't easy.
That's why we launched the Cotswold Life EMI Awards - to showcase the importance of engineering and manufacturing to the region.
Often, the work you do stays under the radar, your companies often hidden away on industrial estates.
From the supply chain supporting the aerospace sector in the west to the automotive, bio and life science companies in the east, you're doing extraordinary things, striving to close the skills gap through apprentices and training.
The EMI awards are a true celebration of engineering and manufacturing excellence. They are still the only regional awards to showcase the companies located here to the business community, but also to a much wider Cotswolds audience. We want to shine a light on the exciting, dynamic, innovative work you're doing. You may not sell your goods locally you might export most of what you make to global markets - but you employ local people and you help maintain a valuable supply chain here. Please, come forward and nominate your companies and your people.
We look forward to celebrating your successes with you.
- CLOSING DATE: July 22, 2019
- Tickets on sale NOW
- Cotswold Life EMI Awards gala dinner: November 6, 2019
Categories and criteria:
Award for Educational Partnership
This award celebrates design, prototype, assembly, manufacturing and engineering companies which are building successful partnerships with education and encouraging the next generation into the industry. Entries will showcase company initiatives engaging with young people to raise the profile of the sector. The financial commitment to educational engagement will depend on the turnover of the company. This will be taken into account by the judges.
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Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by GET (Gloucestershire Engineering Training)
This award celebrates the outstanding contribution of apprentices working in any role or department of a company within the design, prototype, assembly, manufacturing or engineering sector. Judges will assess entries on the apprentice's skills development and look for evidence of hard work and commitment. Also considered will be their career development and willingness to embrace opportunities across the business to build their knowledge.
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Employee of the Year, sponsored by Omega Resource Group
It's often the company bosses who get the praise. However, at every level within a design, prototype, assembly, manufacturing or engineering company, there are employees who go the extra mile to achieve and their efforts create a meaningful result and/or long-lasting impact on the business, product, colleague or end customer. Such energy and results can significantly benefit a business. Judges will look for an individual who is providing that vital work ethic which helps the business maintain or build on its success.
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Sustainable Manufacturing Award
Minimising the environmental impact of manufacturing is increasingly important for businesses legally, ethically and financially. This category examines a company's commitment to reducing its environmental impact throughout the business. The award will go to the design, prototype, assembly, manufacturing or engineering company or plant that can best demonstrate a positive and active employee-wide approach to improving environmental awareness and performance.
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Best Research & Development Project, sponsored by Hazlewoods Business Advisers & Chartered Accountants
Research and development is critical to long-term sustainable growth. Before technological innovation happens, R&D must first pave the way for the commercial decision whether or not to invest in a new product or service. Judges will be looking for evidence of a successful research and development project by a design, prototype, assembly, manufacturing or engineering company related to its growth strategy performance.
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Technology Innovation Award, sponsored by Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors
Innovation is essential if design, prototype, manufacturing and engineering companies are to thrive and grow in increasingly competitive markets. This award recognises success in commercialising innovations and the introduction of new technologies. The innovation may have been developed entirely within the company or acquired in whole or in part from a third party and actively developed or rolled out to market.
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Exporter of the Year, sponsored by Barclays
This category celebrates the export successes of design, prototype, assembly, manufacturing and engineering companies of products or intellectual property. Judges will look for evidence of companies entering new overseas markets or increasing sales in established international markets.
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Productivity Improvement Award, sponsored by QuoLux
Productivity is regarded as one of the largest economic challenges facing the UK with the UK lagging behind Germany, USA and France by over 30%. This award recognises businesses grasping this challenge by making giant strides to drive improvement in throughput and those which are able to evidence growth in productivity over the past three years. At its simplest level, productivity is measured as sales per employee. Judges will also look for other throughput measures that have made a difference.
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Small Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Make UK
Across the Cotswolds, hundreds of smaller design, prototype, assembly, manufacturing and engineering companies with up to 50 employees are achieving extraordinary success. They may be a newcomer, operate in a niche sector or be an ambitious smaller player in a big sector. Judges will look for innovation, an excellent record of employee development and commitment to building a financially sustainable business.
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Medium Manufacturer of the Year
This category recognises the successes achieved by design, prototype, assembly, manufacturing and engineering companies with 51-249 employees. Judges will look for evidence of growth in their market, innovation and leadership as well as a clear vision, excellent record of staff development, environmental awareness and a commitment to their local or business community.
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Large Manufacturer of the Year
This category is for design, prototype, assembly, manufacturing and engineering companies with 250 or more employees, which are achieving success nationally or internationally - or both. Judges will look for evidence of ambition, strategic growth, innovation and leadership as well as a clear vision, excellent record of staff development, environmental awareness and a commitment to their local or business sector community.
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Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Rockatek
This award will be presented to the person who has contributed to the growth and success of the Cotswolds' business community over many years. Decided by the judges - no nominations are required - the winner of this category will have a truly outstanding level of achievement and a track record of excellence in business.
Also a massive thanks to our headline sponsor Jelf.
CLICK HERE to submit your nomination.
