The Made in Group has recognised firms across The Midlands and Yorkshire as ‘Manufacturing Heroes’ throughout 2021. The campaign was started to highlight the achievements of UK manufacturers who worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, many of whom took part in the UK Ventilator Challenge to help save lives. The Made in Group’s position is that government procurement for the NHS had failed over a preference to source from overseas suppliers and overlooked the quality manufacturing talent domestically.
Back in 2020 the UK has viewed the NHS as heroes of the pandemic; specifically nurses, doctors and care workers who put themselves at risk to help save the lives of others. In return, the public pasted symbols of appreciation all over their homes with paintings and drawings of rainbows, as well standing outside clapping for these key workers on a Thursday night in solidarity with front line workers. Many of the firms recognised by the Made in Group have gone as unsung heroes, as many pivoted their businesses at little to no notice to respond to the national need and for many, this was a largely charitable exercise as it lay away from their core business and customers.
With the manufacturing sector making up for 23% of the UK economy, directly and indirectly, and playing an integral part in the development of any country, The Made in Group wanted to ensure UK manufacturers up and down the country were receiving the recognition they deserved. In a sector which is widely reported to be suffering a talent drain as a result of the pandemic as well as not receiving most of the fiscal aid aimed towards other sectors last year such as hospitality, company leaders were placed with the burden of keeping the national economy and ‘engine room’ going, whilst having to create safe working environments for their teams - very much unprecedented challenges.
The nominated ‘Manufacturing Heroes’, have been presented with a specially commissioned badge manufactured in the world-renowned Midlands Jewellery Qtr by Thomas Fattorini Ltd- a company based in Birmingham and who were granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2008. The Made in Group plans to continue the recognition ceremony into 2022 with more companies to be announced.
“We have a civic duty to recognise our manufacturing heroes, we have created locally sourced badges instead of trophies for the manufacturers so they could wear their achievements with pride, as behind each achievement is an inspiring story which future talent and generations should know about, this is probably why so many of our members go on to receive Queen's Awards as there is something great about this group” said Charles Addison, Managing Director
The Made in Group, founded in 2009 is a trade association for manufacturing & engineering companiesers, helping connect like minded company leaders to create trusted relationships between businesses in the UK. The group has over 400 manufacturing members and businesses alike from the Midlands and Yorkshire area, including major manufacturers such as GKN, Mazak, Moog, KUKA Robotics, Atlas Copco, Dennis Eagle, BAE Systems and hundreds of owner managed SME’s. The organisation also has bluechip expert partners such as Lloyds Bank and Gallaghers Insurance to help the businesses with any of their needs.
Here are the 70 manufacturing heroes The Made in Group presented badges to in 2021:
- The Manufacturing Technology Group
- Lanemark Combustion
- Total control Pro
- Boneham & Turner
- Ontic
- Lake Engineering Solutions
- ThreewayPressings
- Central Scanning
- Plastic Coatings Ltd
- Alucast
- Teconnex
- Global Precision
- Appris Management Limited
- CBE+
- Unison
- APS UK
- Greyhound Box
- Cimlogic
- Visual Group
- Crompton Controls
- ADI Group
- Birmingham Prototypes
- Citizen Machinery
- Micro-Mesh Engineering
- Wrekin Sheet Metal Ltd
- AJT Equipment
- In-Comm Training
- Colebridge Enterprises
- MetroCAD UK ltd
- Ramfoam
- Allied Global Engineering
- Tri-Tech 3D
- Cadspec
- Kuka Robotics
- Fourmasters
- Alpha Manufacturing
- C Brandauer & Co Ltd
- Bri-Stor Systems
- Midtherm Laser Ltd
- Hayley Group
- Frederick Cooper
- Iconsys
- Swiss Steel Group
- Cast Iron Weldings
- Engineering Technology Group
- Nylacast
- Dudley College
- Gardner Aerospace
- McCarthy Environmental
- HCM Engineering
- DKL Rubber
- Yorkshire Profiles
- Ductec
- Siddall & Hilton
- AMB Ltd
- C E Bennett & Sons
- Leggett & Platt
- Busch Vacuum Solutions
- Dennis Eagle
- Bauromat
- Handicare
- Portakabin
- Rozone
- Mazak
- True Position Robotics
- Duright
- ActOn
- Machined Component Systems
- All British Precision
- Heald
- Fablink
- Rutland Plastics
- Jungheinrich
- Howcroft
- Pennine Pneumatic Services
- Ace Group
- CambridgeHOK
- Pegler
- Lantek
- Laser Process
- Almor Group
- Ecam
- Professional Polishing Services
- My Work Wear
- Stay Safe