Past winners have shown that by taking part and adopting best practice they can thrive, grow and become global players. Applications need to be submitted by 1 June 2012.
Graham said: “I’m calling for businesses to apply and take advantage of the programme. Entry is free and there is up to £20,000 free consultancy advice up for grabs as well as the chance to win at the prestigious Manufacturing Excellence Awards in November.
“Manufacturing is the economic backbone to the UK and by entering local companies can ensure Cheshire is at the heart of the country’s manufacturing resurgence.”
Manufacturing Excellence works with all manufacturing businesses, whatever their size, age, sector or area of expertise to help improve their processes and showcase their successes and innovations.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has over 100,000 members working in over 19,000 different companies.
With a 30 year history, Manufacturing Excellence is the most successful and long established manufacturing awards programme in the UK, and the only one that provides such a detailed benchmarking and assessment process to help improve your business.
Manufacturing Excellence 2012 is run in partnership with The ERA Foundation, Lombard and WMG and sponsored by Arup.
As well as Awards for Best Manufacturer and Best SME, categories for this year are: Business Development and Change Management; Customer Focus; Financial Management; Innovation in Products and Processes; Logistics and Operational Efficiency; Partnership with Education; People Effectiveness; Sustainable Manufacturing; and Most Improved Company.