Manufacturing Excellence Awards (MX) 2009

Dubbed the 'Oscars' of the business world, MX is free for any firm to enter and is said to be the only best-practice benchmarking scheme of its kind to offer an elite panel of industry experts giving up to 20,000 worth of free and impartial advice. The deadline for entries is 29 January 2008.

IMechE President Bill Banks says: "I would encourage any firms, of any size, to enter the MX Awards. There is also a 'Top Tips' programme to show firms how they can win one of 13 coveted MX trophies. MX is known as the international hallmark of best practice and we, as MPs, should be supporting manufacturing and these companies."

Latest Government figures show SMEs make up 95 per cent of the UK's manufacturing industry and 99 per cent of businesses in the UK, and MX offers firms coaching and support from industry experts.

Each year MX goes out and demonstrates that improving the skill base and empowering the people inside a company delivers better products and processes, more satisfied customers and, ultimately, improved profitability.

Companies backing MX this year include PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing, BP, Eriks, Warwick Manufacturing Group and the Government's Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS). They will be touring the country and working with entrants to compile a Self Assessment Audit (SAA). In turn, firms receive a free Benchmark Report, worth up to 20,000, which will provide them with invaluable advice on how to improve their performance.

There are 13 awards up for grabs, including Best Overall Business, Best SME, Sustainable Manufacturing, Product Innovation, People Effectiveness, Customer Focus, Best Finance Management and Best Business Education Partnership. Finalists get a chance to attend the prestigious ceremony on 25 June 2009 at the Dorchester hotel in London, where the winners will be announced.

Firms interested in entering should visit www.mxawards.org or email [email protected].