Manufacturing Award
The Manufacturing Award highlights the success of companies which have made strong advances in the sector. This award will be particularly significant this year in a sector which has been under great pressure in the recession
WINNER TYNESIDE AND NORTHUMBERLAND
Kilfrost
The demand for Kilfrost’s de-icing equipment for the aviation industry can be unpredictable due to localised weather conditions. It is imperative that the firm can meet demand at locations across Europe, often at just a few hours’ notice, which puts huge demands on the firm’s logistics and manufacturing resources.
WINNER DURHAM AND WEARSIDE
Sotech Limited
The Peterlee firm manufactures architectural cladding systems, window pods, rainwater systems, guttering and flashings. With an ongoing £1m expansion, the company forecasts that its Optima brand of cladding products will soon be regarded as a market-leading brand. Innovations in manufacturing include the development of an extruded aluminium terracotta lookalike product, which is used as a sun screen and is fully recyclable.
WINNER TEES VALLEY
Nifco UK
Plastics firm Nifco has the capacity to produce a diverse range of products in three main areas – industrial plastic fasteners for both automotive and electronic applications; functional interior trim products for the automotive industry and power train and under-bonnet products. Based on Yarm Road in Stockton, it is an advocate of lean manufacturing.
RUNNERS UP TYNESIDE AND NORTHUMBERLAND
Tharsus Engineering
Established in Hebburn in 1967, Tharsus Engineering, which also has operations in Blyth, now forms part of the Tharsus group of companies and turnover for Tharsus Engineering has grown fourfold in the past six years.
Opsol UK
The Cramlington designer and manufacturer of electronics products has been in business for six years and has enjoyed year-on-year turnover growth throughout that time.
RUNNERS UP DURHAM AND WEARSIDE
Nampak Plastics
The Consett base of Nampak Plastics Europe Ltd manufactures high-density plastic milk cartons for all the major dairy companies in the UK.
AA Flags
The Consett flag maker has succeeded by going against the grain and maintained its traditional hand-sewn processes instead of moving into digital printing.
RUNNERS UP TEES VALLEY
Corus Teesside Cast Products
The Redcar steel maker employs almost 2,000 staff on Teesside. The plant is now set to be sold to an Italian-led partnership made up of two of TCP’s five key customers.
Hart Biologicals
Products manufactured by this Hartlepool firm are required to meet internationally recognised quality standards which have helped sales grow overseas.
Share
