The 21st annual NDMA awards saw Northern Devon’s diverse community of manufacturers pitching their achievements for the chance to take home a coveted piece of glassware.
The prestigious event, hosted at the Barnstaple Hotel, was attended by more than 180 guests and gathered manufacturing and service professionals in celebration of the region’s industry, with award categories for:
Stem and Schools Engagement · Exporter of the Year · Apprentice of the Year · Trainee of the Year · Environmental Project of the Year · Innovation of the Year · Business Transformation of the Year · Manufacturer of the Year
The evening also featured awards for the primary school STEM challenge and secondary schools Technology Awards, based on submissions from coursework in technology subjects.
Awards sponsored by NDMA member businesses
Anew South West · Project SW Ltd · Handelsbanken · Petroc College · Isca Barum Insurance Brokers · Group Training & Development · Taw Tech · Anglo Krempel · SWMAS/Exelin · TCi construction WORKS
The judging was as close as ever and the panel, comprising Claire Gray (Plymouth University), Barry Lessiter (Handelsbanken) and Toni Oatway (STEM Ambassador Hub SW Peninsula), described the extremely high quality of entries. The NDMA awards always attract an excellent standard of work and demonstrate a world of hi-tech, high-quality and precision work that underpins our truly world-class manufacturers.
Awards Dinner 2018
Claire Gray of University of Plymouth
Photo by Jo Moulton
Lead judge, Claire Gray announced the runner-up and winner of each award with a brief précis of their entry, giving an insight into just how tough the decisions were in each category. The winner of each category receiving an engraved trophy manufactured by local lead crystal specialists, Dartington Crystal.
Awards Dinner 2018
Manufacturer of the Year presented by Trudi Spratt & Janet Phillips of Anew South West
Winner: SR Furniture
Becky Simmons, Janet Payne, Steve Payne, Janet Phillips, Trudi Spratt, Elliot Billington, Robert Brownhill
Photo by Jo Moulton
Bideford-based SR Furniture took the evening’s top award – Manufacturer of the Year – commended for their investment in new machinery, upskilling staff and becoming a chosen supplier to the NHS. The award was presented by Janet Phillips and Trudi Spratt of Anew South West, the evening’s main sponsors.
Once again, a very high standard of entries was received from the schools entrants with a fine display of furniture to the back of the hall, featuring inspired design and excellent craftsmanship. The primary schools STEM challenge had clearly been enjoyable too, with the teams of young engineers receiving prizes for creating the longest and strongest bridges from spaghetti, marsh mallows and sellotape.
A full list of prize winners can be found HERE
Awards Dinner 2018
Guest Speaker Jim French from the Calvert Trust
Photo by Jo Moulton
The evening was a huge success and ended with a raffle raising funds for the Calvert Trust following a speech from trustee and former Flybe CEO, Jim French CBE. In total, £1447 was collected for the charity.
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Raffle prizes kindly donated by:
About the awards
North Devon Manufacturers Association hosts a prestigious annual awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of local manufacturers as well as the next generation of engineers & designers from North Devon’s education providers.
The size of your organisation presents no barrier since awards are made on criteria relative to the individual organisation. The competition aims to identify and celebrate the expertise, technical specialisation, innovation, growth or other success of manufacturers and education within our local community. The judging panel consists of individuals who support and promote manufacturing excellence across the South West of England.
Note: NDMA is a membership organisation designed to represent the interests of manufacturing and supporting service industries. These awards are open to members and non-members within the Northern Devon region.
About NDMA
Principal Aims of North Devon Manufacturers Association:
To represent the interests of manufacturing and our supporting service industries. More specifically we will, through meetings, lectures, representation, networking, visits and social events promote the development of the businesses in order that we will achieve our full potential. New members are always welcome.
The NDMA aims to represent the interests of manufacturing and supporting service industries.
For more information and to join NDMA, click HERE
