Telford-based Protolabs (www.protolabs.co.uk), which provides custom prototypes and low-volume production parts, is one of around 50 companies in Britain to have made it through to the finals of the country’s largest industry awards programme — The Manufacturer MX Awards (TMMX Awards).

It has made the shortlists of both the Achieving Customer Value and International Trade categories.

Other manufacturers on the shortlists include Aston Martin, BAE Systems, Coca-Cola, Airbus and BMW.

Bjoern Klaas, managing director of Protolabs Europe, said: “As an on-demand digital manufacturing supplier, we strive for excellence, with our service strength being founded on our customers’ ever-evolving needs.

"Our market intelligence tells us that speed — without compromising on quality — is the primary customer requirement, so it is the foundation of our operation.

"Being shortlisted for these awards is testament to our focused efforts and the magnificent work of the whole team at Protolabs.”

The shortlisted companies will be visited by judging teams that travel the length and breadth of the UK.

These teams include previous TMMX Awards winners, Fellows from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, representatives from each of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centres, leading academics and industry experts.