How to enter
Step 1
Click the button to download the entry pack. This contains step-by-step guidance on how to prepare your entry, as well as useful information on the judging process.
Step 2
View CategoriesClick the button to find out more about the award categories available to enter and the judging criteria.
Step 3
RegisterCreate an account and start your submission! Click the button to register to the secure online system. You will then receive a confirmation email and validation link to confirm your account. You will ONLY be able to complete your nomination if you have validated your account. Once logged in, you will be able to view the judging criteria in more detail and start preparing your entry.
Entry Pack
Please click the button to download The Manufacturer MX Awards 2023 entry pack. This will provide you with detailed instructions on how to complete your entry, as well as provide an overview of the whole entry process.
Please click the button to download The Manufacturer MX Awards 2023 entry pack. This will provide you with detailed instructions on how to complete your entry, as well as provide an overview of the whole entry process.
Key Dates 2023

Please note the relevant judging site visit week for your category:
11 - 15 September
Achieving Customer Value
Product Innovation & Design
People & Skills
Operational Excellence
27 September
Young Manufacturer of the Year
International Trade
18 - 22 September
Leadership & Strategy
Smart Factory
Supply Chain Excellence
Sustainable Manufacturing
Why enter?
Being a finalist or winning an award puts you and your achievements in the spotlight – highlighting your success to colleagues, stakeholders, suppliers and customers.
The feedback from an expert panel of judges, the thrill of the awards ceremony and the internal and external PR opportunities are all fantastic well-being factors that result from entering an awards programme.
Participation produces a real buzz and here are 10 reasons why entering could be good for young manufacturers and your business:
Being a finalist or winning an award puts you and your achievements in the spotlight – highlighting your success to colleagues, stakeholders, suppliers and customers.
The feedback from an expert panel of judges, the thrill of the awards ceremony and the internal and external PR opportunities are all fantastic well-being factors that result from entering an awards programme.
Participation produces a real buzz and here are 10 reasons why entering could be good for young manufacturers and your business:
1. Extensive media exposure for your company or young manufacturer – local and national
2. The chance to benchmark your business against peers and competitors
3. Shine a light on your best young employees through the Young Manufacturer of the Year category
4. Free business feedback from top experts
5. Gain recognition as ‘award winning’
6. Positive impact on staff throughout the business – boosting morale and team spirit
7. An opportunity to thank staff and celebrate their hard work , determination and commitment
8. Highlight to customers and clients that they are associated with the best in class
9. Gain industry recognition for successful training programmes
10. Inclusion in The Manufacturer Opus showcase publication
Judging Process
There are two rounds to the judging process.
First round
In the first round, entries are submitted via our online portal. For each category there are 10 statements which companies self-assess against and provide written evidence for. The judges independently assess these submissions and their scoring whittles down the entries to select the finalists.
Second round
Site Visits
As part of the second round of the judging process, the finalists in eight of the 10 categories will receive a site visit where the judges will view evidence of the entry in action. Each category judging team will travel to each of the finalist's factories in September, and your site will receive an am or pm slot. As it is a considerable scheduling and logistical challenge planning the judging slots, you need to ensure that you are available across all of the dates scheduled for your category until your time and date is confirmed. Categories with site visits:
Achieving Customer Value
Product Innovation & Design
People & Skills
Operational Excellence
Leadership & Strategy
Smart Factory
Supply Chain Excellence
Sustainable Manufacturing
Judging day
A Judging Day takes place in Central London and will bring together the two remaining categories before each winner is selected. These categories are:
Young Manufacturer of the Year
International Trade
In addition to the categories available to enter, two awards will be presented on the evening to the most outstanding businesses. Manufacturing in Action - will demonstrate an efficient, modern, profitable business, which can show examples of product excellence, innovation, customer satisfaction, investment in people, training, effective management and efforts to become more sustainable in both processes and products and The Manufacturer of the Year, overall winner award, is selected by the judging panel from the individual category winners.
There are two rounds to the judging process.
First round
In the first round, entries are submitted via our online portal. For each category there are 10 statements which companies self-assess against and provide written evidence for. The judges independently assess these submissions and their scoring whittles down the entries to select the finalists.
Second round
Site Visits
As part of the second round of the judging process, the finalists in eight of the 10 categories will receive a site visit where the judges will view evidence of the entry in action. Each category judging team will travel to each of the finalist's factories in September, and your site will receive an am or pm slot. As it is a considerable scheduling and logistical challenge planning the judging slots, you need to ensure that you are available across all of the dates scheduled for your category until your time and date is confirmed. Categories with site visits:
Achieving Customer Value
Product Innovation & Design
People & Skills
Operational Excellence
Leadership & Strategy
Smart Factory
Supply Chain Excellence
Sustainable Manufacturing
Judging day
A Judging Day takes place in Central London and will bring together the two remaining categories before each winner is selected. These categories are:
Young Manufacturer of the Year
International Trade
In addition to the categories available to enter, two awards will be presented on the evening to the most outstanding businesses. Manufacturing in Action - will demonstrate an efficient, modern, profitable business, which can show examples of product excellence, innovation, customer satisfaction, investment in people, training, effective management and efforts to become more sustainable in both processes and products and The Manufacturer of the Year, overall winner award, is selected by the judging panel from the individual category winners.
FAQs
A: Entries are open to all UK manufacturing companies, of any size and from any sector.
A: The deadline for completing entries online is 7 July at 23:59.
A: Submitting an entry to The Manufacturer MX Awards is free of charge.
A: Yes, of course. You can enter into as many categories as you feel are relevant to you and your business. Each category has its own judging criteria, so each of your entries should be tailored towards the criteria and category for which you are entering.
A: You will receive email acknowledgement to confirm your entry has been received successfully. This notification will be sent to the email address you supplied in the 'Company Details' section of your application.
A: Finalists will be announced on 17 August. Companies will be contacted regardless of whether they're a finalist or not.
Please contact the Awards team at awards@hennikgroup.com.