At its Industry Awards Dinner (1st November), Composites UK, the Trade Association for the UK composites industry announced the winners of its 2023 awards.
The event again took place at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, coinciding with the Advanced Engineering Show.
The attendees witnessed the following companies take home an award:
- Apprentice of the Year – Marcus Mullins (Leonardo) (Runner up: Matthew Sellers, AMRC)
Sponsored by Marshall Slingsby Advanced Composites - Employer of the Year – Leybold (Runner up: R-Tech Materials)
Sponsored by Pegbox - Social Impact Award – GRP Solutions
- Sustainability Award | Circularity – Gen 2 Carbon (Runners up: Longworth & Partners | Qube Buildings)
Sponsored by Briar - Sustainability Award | Net-Zero – TISICS (Runners up: Far-UK| SHD Composite Materials)
Sponsored by Santander - Innovation in Composite Design – FAC Technology (Runners up: Carbon ThreeSixty | Chemical Processing Services | National Composites Centre (NCC))
Sponsored by VFE - Innovation in Composite Materials – TISICS (Runners up: PRF Composite Materials | R-Tech Materials)
Sponsored by Zund UK - Innovation in Composite Manufacture – Far-UK (Runners up: GKN & Airbus | Lineat/iCOMAT/NCC)
Sponsored by Minden Systems
The 2023 Outstanding Contribution to the Composites Industry Award (sponsored by Zund UK) was awarded to Mona Jesri of SM&RT. Mona is a trailblazer in the biocomposite sector, with a significant impact in the UK and globally. Specialising in natural fibre composites, Mona is revolutionising the UK’s supply chain by bridging gaps between the agricultural sector, textile industry, and end-users. Her cross-sectoral expertise ensures a resilient supply chain that can adapt to future market needs. A passionate STEM ambassador, Mona is committed to inspiring the next generation of engineers through her own journey.
Highly commended in this category was Paul Beckett of Total Machining Solutions. Paul was nominated by David Rouse at Ola Electric who said that Paul has consistently gone above and beyond, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to innovation and embracing new technologies. With over 30 years’ experience and the founder of Total Machining Solutions, his leadership has been pivotal to the company’s success. Paul’s recent investment in two large-scale 3D additive CNC machines has revolutionized TMS’s manufacturing processes, reducing waste and enhancing product precision and with recycling programs and energy-efficient practices, underscore his commitment to TMS’s success and the environment.
All of the companies shortlisted receive a commemorative plaque, international press coverage, a case study published on the Composites UK website and social media, details about their company/entry sent out to the Composites UK database and the opportunity to produce a video for the Association’s YouTube.
The process for entering the 2024 Composites UK Industry Awards will begin next May. Any company which has a UK base can apply.
For more information about the award winners and those shortlisted, there are case studies available, here.