Dorset EMC

Important Information

Who is eligible to enter?

The Manufacturer MX Awards are open to UK-based manufacturing businesses of all sectors and sizes . As long as you are a manufacturer with a production facility based in the UK, you can enter!

Second Round Judging

When entering this awards programme, you must ensure that you are available to host a factory site visit or attend a judging day (dependent on your category) during the dates outlined below.

How much does it cost?

Entries cost £200+VAT which is a contribution to the in-person second round of judging. If you are not shortlisted and therefore do not make it through to the second round of judging, this fee will be refunded to you.

Complete the Intent to Enter form by 30 April for a £50 discount on each entry.

How to Enter?

Step 1

DOWNLOAD ENTRY PACK

Click the button to download the entry pack. This contains step-by-step guidance on how to prepare your entry, as well as useful information on the judging process.

Step 2

VIEW CATEGORIES

Click the button to find out more about the award categories available to enter and the judging criteria.

Step 3

REGISTER

Create an account and start your submission! Click the button to register to the secure online system. You will then receive a confirmation email and validation link to confirm your account. You will ONLY be able to complete your nomination if you have validated your account. Once logged in, you will be able to view the judging criteria in more detail and start preparing your entry.

 Key Dates 2024

Please block out the relevant second round judging dates for your category/s in your diaries and read further information on the judging process below:

Judging Process

There are two rounds to the judging process.

First Round

In the first round, entries are submitted via our online portal. For each category there are 10 statements which companies self-assess against and provide written evidence for. The judges independently assess these submissions, and their scoring whittles down the entries to select the finalists.

Second Round

Site Visits

As part of the second round of the judging process, categories with a site visit format will provide an evidence tour for judges to view evidence of their entry in action. The judging team will travel to each of the category finalist's factories in September, and your site will receive an am or pm slot on one of the dates listed.

It is a considerable scheduling and logistical challenge planning the judging slots, and you need to ensure that you are available across all of the dates scheduled for your category until your time and date is confirmed.

Categories with site visits:

• Leadership & Strategy
• Operational Excellence
• People & Skills
• Product Innovation & Design People & Skills
• Smart Factory
• Sustainable Manufacturing

Judging Day

As part of the second round of the judging process, categories with a judging day format will make a presentation following by a Q&A with the judging panel in a 45-minute time slot.

These categories are:

• Achieving Customer Value
• Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion
• International Trade
• Supply Chain Excellence
• Young Manufacturer of the Year

Additional Awards

In addition to the categories available to enter, three additional awards will be presented on the evening.

Manufacturing in Action is open to businesses that the editorial team have visited within the last 12 months, and the winner is assessed as demonstrating an efficient, modern, profitable business, which can show examples of product excellence, innovation, customer satisfaction, investment in people, training, effective management and efforts to become more sustainable in both processes and products.

Finally, The Manufacturer of the Year and Runner Up, overall winner award, is selected by the judging panel from the individual category winners.

 Why Enter?

Being a finalist or winning an award puts you and your achievements in the spotlight – highlighting your success to colleagues, stakeholders, suppliers and customers.

The feedback from an expert panel of judges, the thrill of the awards ceremony and the internal and external PR opportunities are all fantastic well-being factors that result from entering an awards programme.

Participation produces a real buzz and here are 10 reasons why entering could be good for young manufacturers and your business:

1. Extensive media exposure for your company or young manufacturer – local and national

2. The chance to benchmark your business against peers and competitors

3. Shine a light on your best young employees through the Young Manufacturer of the Year category

4. Free business feedback from top experts

5. Gain recognition as ‘award winning’

6. Positive impact on staff throughout the business – boosting morale and team spirit

7. An opportunity to thank staff and celebrate their hard work , determination and commitment

8. Highlight to customers and clients that they are associated with the best in class

9. Gain industry recognition for successful training programmes

10. Celebrate your efforts with your colleagues and peers at the awards ceremony in November

All details here