Leyland Trucks in Preston is celebrating after winning Best Overall Business at the recent 2010 Manufacturing Excellence (MX) awards.

It has also become the first company in the event’s 28 year history to win the top award two years in a row.

Run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), the award is sponsored by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills’ Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS). Business and Enterprise Minister, Mark Prisk, was on hand to present the award.

“Manufacturing and engineering are vital to the economy,” he declared. “The UK is renowned for its high value, advanced manufacturing products and solutions and we must ensure that companies, like those recognised by the MX awards, are given the support they require to exploit their competitive advantage and thrive in an increasingly competitive world.

“One way we are helping companies to achieve this is through MAS which is working with thousands of manufacturers to streamline their processes and reduce waste," he added. MAS has helped 14 out of the 18 companies in MX this year - Leyland being one.

Andrea Paver, managing director of Leyland Trucks, said it was the efforts of the whole company that meant it retained the crown. The company also won the IMechE’s award for Business Development and Change Management.
She commented: “Everybody at Leyland Trucks is once again delighted to be amongst the winners of the MX awards. There is no doubt that as one of Britain’s premier awards schemes for the manufacturing sector they bring with them considerable prestige and serve as a hallmark for the levels of excellence that we strive constantly to achieve in our company.”

Speaking a day after the budget, Mr Prisk added: “A thriving manufacturing sector capable of exploiting new market opportunities will play a significant role in returning the UK to economic growth and prosperity.”

Simon Griffiths, chief executive of MAS West Midlands was on the final judging panel and concluded: “Anyone thinking that the manufacturing industry in the UK is dead should go and visit some of the finalists in this year’s MX awards. They really show how strong and vibrant some of our businesses are and how they have responded to the recession.”

IMechE
www.imeche.org