A mix of large and small companies have been recognised in the Make UK National Manufacturing Awards. Held virtually, due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the ceremony saw Gripple based in Sheffield pick up three national awards.

The company was named the overall Manufacturer of the Year and also picked up awards for Developing Future Talent and Business Growth and Strategy. Produmax, based in Bradford, picked up the SME Manufacturer of the Year.

Two apprentices from Blyth-based Tharsus, the automation and strategic machine manufacturer, also picked up national awards. Hamish Carroll was given the Apprentice Endeavour Award while Sophie Laidlaw was given the Engineering Apprentice Rising Star award. Tharsus itself was also runner up in the Manufacturing Matters category.

Awards were also given to two apprentices from Luton based Leonardo. Ella Legg picked up the national Business Apprentice Final Year award while Jack Hempsall was given a highly commended award in the Engineering Apprentice Final Year category.

BAE Systems Submarines, based in Barrow, also picked up two awards. Adam Houlden picked up the winning award in the Business Apprentice Rising Star category while Miles Eastwood was runner-up in the Business Apprentice Final Year category. Jessica Stone from Airbus was awarded the Engineering Apprentice Final Year Award.

Meanwhile, MRT Castings based in Andover picked up the national Manufacturing Matters award, a special category introduced this year to recognise companies who have contributed to the national effort to deal with the pandemic.

Bericap, the manufacturer of plastic closures based in Hull picked up the national health and safety award while Whitecroft Lighting based in Manchester, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of commercial lighting, picked up the Energy and Sustainability award.