Awards celebrate the very best of Made in Wales
A Nantgarw-based company that specialises in the overhaul of aircraft engines has been awarded the overall Manufacturer of the Year Award in the first ever Made in Wales Awards in Cardiff last night (October 20th).
GE Aviation Wales, which employs over 1,500 highly skilled people, currently works with over 90 customers globally including Emirates, Easyjet and KLM. The company is currently one of the world’s largest aviation sites with a long and proven track record of excellence.
Adrian Button, Managing Director of GE Aviation Wales said:
“The Made in Wales Awards recognise the best businesses in the Manufacturing industry. As a leading company in Wales we are delighted to be associated with these awards which will undoubtedly showcase the finest manufacturers in Wales.
“The awards come at a significant time for the company as we celebrate 20 years of GE Aviation in Wales. To win the overall Manufacturer of the Year Award is a great achievement for the company and a testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment of our workforce.”
A total of seven other category winners were announced in a packed Mercure Holland House.
These include:
- Green Manufacturer Award – Cambrian Printers
- Manufacturing Innovation Award – Royal Mint
- Creative Design Award – Recycle Direct
- Technology Award – SPTS
- Food and Drink Award – Brace’s
- Medical and Life Sciences Award – Flexicare Medical
- Advanced Manufacturer Award – Linde Heavy Truck Division
Attracting 57 nominations from companies keen to prove that they have what it takes to be honoured with this prestigious accolade, The Made in Wales Awards have been created to celebrate the very best in manufacturing that Wales has to offer.
The event was hosted by James Naughtie from BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today Programme and featured a special keynote speech from Rt Hon Cheryl Gillan, Secretary of State for Wales.
She said: “The Made in Wales Awards are an excellent way to recognise ambition and achievement in businesses across Wales. I am delighted to be invited to attend the awards ceremony today and to hear first-hand about the work of companies in Wales.
“The innovation recognised at the awards today is inspiring and I want to congratulate each and every winner; they are first class examples of how Wales can contribute to new technologies and private sector growth”
“SMEs in Wales have a critical role to play in supporting the economy in Wales and I am clear that the UK Government is here to provide support to help companies succeed.”
Marlen Roberts, Managing Director of Insider Media Limited which organised the Awards said: “Despite a general dip in business confidence, high levels of investment, innovation and ongoing research and development remain key features amongst the companies which entered the Made in Wales Awards. Manufacturing and technology are vitally important to our communities and the Welsh economy and this continuing commitment to deliver high-value added products and services should be recognised and celebrated. Well done to both the winners and the shortlisted companies.”
Companies shortlisted for the Made in Wales Awards were Celsa UK, Axiom Manufacturing Services, GE Aviation Wales, Flexicare Medical, K Form, Sanders, Industrial Automation & Control, We Predict, Qioptiq, Hot Diggidy Dog, Burns Pet Nutrition, Peter’s Foods, Q Chip, Microvisk, Magstim, Mabey Bridge and SPTS.
The Awards were sponsored by PwC, Barclays Corporate, WRAP Cymru, Zeffa, R&B Group, Paramount Recruitment and Abel & Imray.
Tags: manufacturing industry, technology