PPMA Show 2014 Awards Winners
Award winners highlight strength
and breadth of UK manufacturing
The who’s who of the processing and packaging world descended on the National
Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham on the evening of 30 September for the PPMA
Group Industry Awards 2014; the biggest night in the industry calendar.
Hosted by renowned comedian and
impressionist Rory Bremner, the gala event
was headline sponsored by Lloyds Banks
and celebrated excellence and innovation
from every corner of the industry. Attracting
over 400 industry leaders, government
representatives and press, the evening
comprised a four-course dinner with wine,
following which the winners across 14
diverse categories representing each of the
Association sectors of PPMA, BARA and
UKIVA, were announced.
This year’s shortlist was one of the strongest
in recent years, presenting our panel of
independent judges with some difficult
decisions. They were, however, unanimous in
their decision that the following companies
had shown exceptional talent, innovation
and success, proving themselves to be very
worthy winners. Congratulations to all!
“The sheer volume and the very high
standard in this year’s PPMA
Group Industry Awards mean that
winners in this year’s competition can
be rightly proud of their achievements.
To be the best of the best is certainly
a description that can be used without
any hesitation.”
Our esteemed judges
Gail Hunt – Editor, Machinery Update
Joe Bush – Editor, Electrical Engineering/Automation
Charmaine Bowers – Independent Consultant
Ian Frame – Technical Consultant, PPMA Group
Dave Hopper – Principal Consultant and Director,
Advanced Robotic Technology
Warren Clark – Publishing Director, IMVE Magazine
Alan Isaacs – Independent Consultant
Martin Miller – Independent Consultant
Gail Hunt, Editor, Machinery Update (Judge)
headline sponsor
“Supporting Britain’s
manufacturers is
central to Lloyds
Bank’s commitment
to bolstering the
British economy. We firmly believe
that Britain’s manufacturing is crucial
to creating a stable and competitive
UK, that’s why we’re so proud to
be sponsoring the PPMA Group
Industry Awards, celebrating the
very best in British manufacturing.”
Dave Atkinson, Head of Manufacturing, Lloyds Bank
(Headline sponsor)
2
Issue 25 Group News
www.ppma.co.uk
PPMA Show 2014 Awards Winners
headline sponsor
With thanks to our sponsors
Most Innovative
Processing or
Packaging Machine
Winner:
OAL Group (Olympus Automation)
Most Innovative
Ancillary Equipment
Winner:
Elesa (UK)
Due to the high number of entries for this award, the judges
focused on innovations in machines or processes, rather than
design improvements or developments, and awarded the prize
to OAL Group for its ‘revolutionary’ Steam Infusion System.
With the potential to revolutionise the food processing industry
through low pressure cooking and almost instantaneous
heating, the system is already demonstrating significant savings.
Highly commended:
The judges were impressed with Elesa’s panel support
clamp, stating that ‘whilst it appears to be quite a modest
item compared with some other submissions, it solves a lot
of problems with the fitting – and especially the repair and
retro-fit – of safety guards’. They also liked the fact that the
clamp is applicable to guarding situations in all industries.
Highly commended:
Venair
Commended:
Endoline Machinery, Marel, PFM Packaging Machinery
Renmar, Sumitomo SHI Demag
Commended:
Pacepacker Services
Processing & Packaging
Machinery Manufacturer
of the Year
Winner:
Loma Systems
Loma’s attention to excellence was praised by the panel,
who dubbed the company ‘a great example of how the drive
for excellence in the individual elements of any operation
leads to a sound and successful business’. Improvements
in supplier performance, reductions in manufacturing time,
and focus on key performance indicators have all led to
increased sales, improved profitability, excellent customer
service and high employee retention.
Most Innovative
Machine Vision
Project
Winner:
Olmec UK
The judges awarded the prize to Olmec UK for its ‘successful
execution of a complex and complicated application, using a
mix of camera, lighting and software’. The panel also praised
the company for demonstrating the ‘long-term value of an
investment in a machine vision solution’.
Polymer
Manufacturer
or Distributor
of the Year
Winner:
Sumitomo SHI Demag
Sumitomo SHI Demag’s ‘great approach to customer
service’ proved a winner with the judges, who also praised
the company’s ‘ability to juggle multiple suppliers to find a
winning solution’.
Partnership of
the Year
Winner:
Stemmer Imaging/
Siga Vision
A partnership in the truest
sense of the word, the panel particularly liked the fact that
Stemmer, through its size, has enabled Siga to develop
projects that Siga could not self-fund. In turn, Siga has
‘provided feedback and challenges that have allowed
Stemmer to continuously improve its products, giving great
results for all of its customers’.
Highly commended:
Olmec UK/Rofin Baasel/Universal Converting Equipment
Commended:
Pacepacker Services/Fanuc/Festo
www.ppma.co.uk
Group News Issue 25
3
PPMA Show 2014 Awards Winners
Sustainability
Award
Winner:
Aetna Group UK
The combination of investment in a brand new testing facility
in Italy and its latest stretch wrapping technology means
Aetna is achieving the optimum stable transit pack while
using thinner, cheaper and even damaged materials for its
customers in the drinks trade. The judges also praised the
fact that ‘it enables customers to use correct wrapping, not
just more wrapping, to deliver undamaged goods – a no
waste option’.
Highly commended:
Customer
Service
Winner:
Yorkshire Packaging Systems
This family business has seen 40% of its sales in each of
the last ten years come from existing customers and it puts
this success down to its best in class back-up and support,
in which it invests heavily. ‘From inclusive service contracts,
to spare part stocking, to pre-delivery operator training, the
company offers a plethora of services that keep customers
coming back’, praised the panel.
Highly commended:
Pacepacker Services, PFM Packaging Machinery
Langen Group, OAL Group
Most Innovative
Automation System
Winner:
Endoline Machinery
While acknowledging that box sealing is not the ‘glamour
department’ in automation, the judges felt that ‘some
factors in this system development beat the robots for once’,
praising a bold system overhaul that used a step change in
actuators and control to deliver a 50% speed increase and
high flexibility. The impact was also judged to be high, with
12+ systems to be delivered and strong potential for more.
Exceptional
Company or
Sales Growth
Winner:
Fortress Technology
The fact that Fortress far exceeded its budgeted and forecast
sales increase in 2013 is an ‘exceptional achievement’,
stated the panel, adding: ‘The fact that this is being done
from a UK manufacturing base is also very heartening’.
Highly commended:
Adsol
Highly commended:
Commended:
RM Group
Enercon
Commended:
Tekpak, Pacepacker Services
Exporter
of the
Year
Winner:
Industrial Washing Machines
Despite starting to seriously export at a very difficult point
in the global downturn, Industrial Washing Machines has
succeeded through focusing strategically on key markets
and responding to the needs of overseas customers. The
company has ‘shown what can be achieved in a short time
by researching the market, adapting to local conditions and
building the right strategic key market approach’, praised
the judges.
Highly commended:
DC Norris, Endoline Machinery
Commended:
Winkworth
4
Issue 25 Group News
Apprentice
of the Year
Winner:
Andrew Lufkin,
Pacepacker Services
In an extremely close contest, the judges
felt that Andrew was deserving of the title
Apprentice of the Year for his ‘willingness
to share his skills and knowledge,
and involve others in his training’.
Congratulations Andrew!
Outstanding Achievement
Winner: Alan Ross
After a successful stint as Managing Director of Best
Inspection, Alan then worked for Lock Inspection Systems,
where he was influential in their dealings with Yamato, before
moving to Sparc Systems. In all his posts, Alan’s attitude,
people management skills and professionalism have made
him a role model for many who have had the benefit of
his wit and wisdom, making him a worthy recipient of our
Outstanding Achievement award.
www.ppma.co.uk