Celebrations for world-class achievements at the North Devon Manufacturing Awards

Representing Northern Devon’s incredible diversity in manufacturing sectors, from pharmaceuticals, precision engineering and composites to electronics, furniture and textiles, hopeful manufacturers assembled at the Barnstaple Hotel on Thursday, October 12, for the annual NDMA awards dinner.

The 24th iteration follows last year’s popular return of the event after a two-year hiatus for the global pandemic. The NDMA was supported for the second year running by Petroc as headline sponsor for the evening.

After a welcome drink, nominees, sponsors and guests took their seats in anticipation as celebrity toastmaster, the BBC’s David ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald, opened proceedings before handing over to NDMA Chairman, Tim Puttick.

This year saw the welcome re-introduction of the Primary School STEM Spaghetti Challenge – an outreach project delivered by STEM ambassadors and sponsored by Bideford-based composites manufacturer, Krempel.

With 11 schools taking part, the project included a total of 842 pupils who formed teams to build a structure made from dried spaghetti and marshmallows to hold an egg as high as possible.

Siobhan Tindal of Krempel presented the prizes to children from runner-up school, Lynton Primary who managed the strongest tower which held 12 eggs, followed by the winners from Southmead Primary School who had created a structure standing 420mm high.

After a sumptuous two-course meal, Guest speaker, Rob Leighfield from North Devon & North Cornwall Samaritans, gave an impassioned and captivating speech about the vital service delivered by his colleagues and some sobering statistics around suicide. He finished by explaining the many ways in which people can help and volunteer for the service that has been shown to benefit so many people, before handing the floor back to the NDMA to deliver the main event.

Jim Davison, Regional Director of Make UK was introduced on stage to announce the runners-up and the winners of the 10 categories as follows:

Apprentice of the year, sponsored by Engineering Trust Training Ltd, presented by Steve Killner
-Runner up: Charlie Crabtree from TDK
-Winner: Luke Walkey from CMTG

Trainee of the year, sponsored by Petroc, presented by Dr Sean Mackney
-Winner: Emma Andrews from CMTG

Team of the year, sponsored by TCi construction WORKS, presented by Jim Capron
-Runner up: Perrigo
-Winner: Eaton

Product of the year, sponsored by TDK, presented by Martin Coates
-Runner up: Mulberry Contract Furniture Ltd
-Winner: Accord

Innovation of the year, sponsored by Petroc, presented by Dr Sean Mackney
-Runner up: Seiche
-Winner: CMTG

Exporter of the year, sponsored by Krempel, presented by Pete Williams
-Runner up: CMTG
-Winner: SFL

Health & Safety Initiative of the year, sponsored by TCi construction WORKS, presented by Jim Capron
-Runner up: Eaton
-Winner: TDK

Environmental Project of the year, sponsored by Project SW, presented by Phil Byers
-Runner up: TDK
-Winner: Accord

Business Transformation of the year, sponsored by SWMAS, presented by Phil Halse
-Winner: Eaton

Manufacturer of the year, sponsored by Petroc, presented by Dr Sean Mackney
-Runner up: Accord
-Winner: Heathcoat Fabrics

Each winner stepped up to receive one of the coveted, engraved glass trophies made by Dartington Crystal in nearby Great Torrington.

The evening culminated with a raffle in aid of North Devon and North Cornwall Samaritans, featuring prizes donated by local businesses, including locally produced hampers and wines, a Makita site radio and a round of golf for four at the exclusive Royal & North Devon golf club. The raffle raised a total of more than £1400.

In the closing remarks, Tim Puttick thanked the judges, sponsors and committee members for their contributions to the evening, he said: “It has been a challenging year for manufacturers, and for many, the Covid-19 pandemic feels like a minor blip compared to some of the uncertainty we have all had to navigate this year, yet our manufacturing industry continues to flourish and this evening aims to reflect the enormous reach that Northern Devon has throughout the world, of which we can be truly proud.”