Congratulations to Coopervision and ConvaTec Ltd on making it through to the finals of the Best Factory Awards (BFA) recently announced by Cranfield School of Management. Both organisations employ a number of individual IOM members and have made use of the IOM’s Lean workshop programme to improve their internal processes. Well done and good luck for the finals.
The award programme celebrates manufacturing excellence in the UK and is run by Cranfield School of Management in partnership with the magazine Works Management.
Among the contenders for the coveted overall prize of BFA Factory of the Year are plants that produce goods as diverse as soft contact lenses and scanning electron microscopes.
Dr Marek Szwejczewski, Director of the Best Factory Awards commented: “Now in its 20th year, the finalists in this year’s Best Factory Awards show how a dedicated approach to continuous improvement and innovation can deliver superior results. Those shortlisted are manufacturers that are experiencing high profits and growth, with many exporting a high proportion of what they produce. Key to all of their success is a continued investment in their workforce which is so critical in the current climate.”
This year 14 plants have been shortlisted:
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Aimia Foods, Haydock, St Helens - The plant operates extensive co-packing and outsourcing facilities for the vending and food service industries and is an independent specialist in hot and cold drinks.
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Arla Foods, Lockerbie - Producers of bottled milk for supermarkets.
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Barfoots of Botley Ltd, Pagham, West Sussex - Suppliers of sweet corn cobs to supermarkets and restaurants.
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Camfil Farr, Haslingden, Lancashire - Producers of air filters for industrial and medical application.
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Carefusion, Basingstoke, Hampshire - Assemble and test infusion pumps for use in hospitals.
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Carl Zeiss NTS Ltd, Cambridge – Manufacturers of scanning electron microscopes.
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ConvaTec Ltd, Deeside, Flintshire – Manufacturers of ostomy products and dressings for wounds and burns.
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CooperVision, Southampton – Manufacturers of soft contact lenses.
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Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems Ltd, Broadstairs, Kent – Producers of printing inks for digital printers.
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Gurit Ltd, Newport, Isle of Wight – Providers of composite materials for marine and wind energy industries.
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H.C. Starck Ltd, Calne, Wiltshire - Manufacturers of molybdenum semiconductor components used as carriers and contact plates for silicon wafers in thyristors, transistors and diodes.
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LDS Test & Measurement Ltd, Royston, Hertfordshire – Producers of vibration test equipment for aerospace, automotive, defence and general industries.
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Parker Hannifin Ltd, Birtley, Durham - Manufacturers of process filtration products.
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Robert Bion & Co Ltd, Reading, Berkshire – Suppliers of metal and plastic perforated sheets.
The winners will be announced at the BFA Awards Ceremony taking place on 30th September at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London.
