Auto Industries Top Out 'Best of British Industry' Awards

LONDON, February 12 -- The winners of the 2006 Best of British Industry Awards are announced today.

The awards were presented at a special ceremony at the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern, London, hosted by comedian Rory McGrath, and attended by top figures from the business community.

Samir Brikho, chief executive of AMEC, the engineering and support services company that organised the awards in association with The Sunday Times and The Work Foundation, the research and consultancy organisation, said: 'The Best of British Industry Awards were created to make a point - that industrial companies in Britain are dynamic and thriving. I am thrilled that the awards have made that point so forcefully. They have showcased industry moving forward with confidence in its future on the global business stage.'

Trade and Industry Minister Jim Fitzpatrick MP, who gave a keynote speech said: 'British industry has a great deal to be proud of and it is right that we celebrate it. Manufacturing accounts for 14% of our GDP and half of UK exports, and lies at the heart of the emerging knowledge economy.'

The awards also drew endorsements from across the industrial and political spectrum.

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, said: 'The TUC welcomes the Best of British Industry Awards. British industry still provides more than 3 million quality jobs for British workers and it is vital that we continue to attract school-leavers and graduates to ensure we continue to adapt and compete in the global marketplace.'

The Right Honourable David Cameron MP, leader of the Conservative Party, said: 'British industry at its best is world beating. I am delighted that the Best of British Industry Awards have been established to laud our leading industrialists and industrial companies.'

The winners, with excerpts from speeches by the judges, are as follows:

1. Innovation Award, presented by Ron Dennis, chief executive and chairman of the McLaren Group

'Innovation is tough to measure - is it about products or about things such as behaviour? In the end, though, we picked a company that has a stunning record of investment in R&D, patents and processes. Congratulations to Renishaw.'

Winner: Renishaw plc, specialists in metrology (the science of measurement)

2. QinetiQ, the defence technology and security company

3. Oxford Instruments plc, the manufacturer of high technology tools

2. Next Generation Award, presented by Will Hutton, chief executive of The Work Foundation

'This award recognises organisations that are fostering and developing the industrial talent of the future. It is hard to compare large companies with mature training schemes with small organisations nurturing far fewer people. We decided that joint first place should go to two organisations which, in their own circumstances, are creating working environments where staff flourish - Airbus and Benchmark.'

Winners: Airbus UK, the aircraft manufacturer; and Benchmark, the furniture manufacturer

2. Caldeira Ltd, the textile and cushion company

3. Inspirational Leader Award, presented by John Waples, Business Editor of The Sunday Times

'Leadership is the single most important factor in corporate success. The winner is not so much a captain of industry, as a 'general of industry' - a man who keeps a low profile, but who is recognised across the UK for his truly remarkable achievements. He has successfully transformed his company, while investing in his people, valuing customers, and keeping attention focussed on the details. He is Sir John Rose.'

Winner: Sir John Rose, chief executive of Rolls Royce

4. Community Champion Award, presented by Gail Rebuck, chief executive of the Random House Group

'Many businesses today know that responsible business is good for business. Our winner works with one of society's most difficult groups and in the process has found an innovative way of recruiting. The company demonstrated corporate responsibility at its finest - nothing showy, just important work, performed with integrity. For reintroducing offenders to employment, our winner is The National Grid.'

Winner: The National Grid, the energy delivery utility

2. Rok plc, provider of development, building and maintenance services

3. Airbus UK, the aircraft manufacturer

5.Supporter of British Industry Award, presented by Lord Bhattachryya, director of the Warwick Manufacturing Group

'Many organisations besides companies play a vital role fostering talent and enthusiasm for business. But few have the track record of our winner. It is a world-class centre of excellence for business education, renowned for developing new the ideas and technology that help industry gain competitive advantage. The winner is Imperial College.'

Winner: Imperial College, London

2. The Manufacturing Institute

3. North East Productivity Alliance

6. Industry Exporter of the Year Award, presented by Samir Brikho, chief executive of AMEC

'In a globalised world, nothing is more important than British companies extending their international market share. No one exemplifies this better than our winning exporter. The winner is just like the machines it builds - rugged, fast, versatile and works in some of the most inhospitable environments in the world. The winner is JCB.'

Winner: JCB, manufacturer of heavy construction and agricultural equipment

2. Logica CMG, the IT consulting and business process outsourcing group

3. Solar Solve Marine, the specialist manufacturer of screens and blinds for the marine industry

7. Small Industrial Company of the Year, presented by Sir Digby Jones, former director general of the CBI

'This award celebrates smaller companies destined to go far. Our winner has few resources, few people, but still manages to compete successfully against multinationals, cornering some 15% of the pregnancy test market. The judges felt it was a model business of its kind.'

Winner: Ciga Healthcare, specialist in self-test health diagnostics

8. Industrial Company of the year, presented by Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Trade and Industry Minister

'It's a tough job, comparing the disparate achievements of category winners. But one winner of winners stood out. While acutely commercial, it has retained and promulgated its values, which date back to its origins, and has treated its employees and customers with respect. A success at home and abroad, it goes from strength to strength, constantly stretching itself to achieve more. Its leaders are inspiring and its people dedicated. It is an example of what the UK can achieve. The Winner of Winners, the Industrial Company of the Year, is JCB

Winner: Industrial Company of the Year: JCB, manufacturer of heavy construction and agricultural equipment

Will Hutton, chief executive of The Work Foundation, said: 'Forget the images of smokestacks and strikes, the Best of British Industry Awards have shown modern industrial companies to be agile, fast-moving, knowledge intensive - and above all flourishing. It has been a pleasure to have been involved in organising the awards.'

John Waples, business editor of The Sunday Times, said: 'The first ever Best of British Industry Awards have broken new ground. They have sung the success of a vitally important, but sometimes overlooked, sector of the British economy - a sector that more than any other is associated with Britishness on the global business stage. Industry lives. Long may it do so.'