Made in the Midlands a “Wow” event
The 2018 Made in the Midlands Awards were a big “wow” according to those that wrote to Good Call Media following the event.
We crafted the kick off video for the glittering evening held at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel in the centre of 
Birmingham featuring winners from last year and the main sponsors of the 2018 event. We work with Insider to identify 
the potential interviewees and then pick up the organisation schedule on their behalf. We then arrange to visit the various sponsors and winners to highlight the main aspects of the awards.
Our background in journalism with the BBC business unit, working for programmes such as ‘World Business Report’, ‘Working Lunch’ on BBC 2 and the former BBC business flagship programme ‘Business Breakfast’ as well as the “Today” programme and “Wake Up To Money” on Radio Five Live, were key when we were appointed by Insider Media Group, the organisers of the Awards.
Click here to see our video report:
Here’s full list of this year’s winners and shortlisted companies and a summary of the judges’ remarks:
Automotive Award
Winner: Liberty Vehicle Technologies
Judges said Liberty is embracing the future by building its business and supply chains around electric and autonomous vehicles.
Highly Commended: MarchantCain Design
Shortlisted:
Cameron-Price
Otter Controls
Lander Automotive
G&P Group Holdings
Steel & Alloy Processing
Export Award
Sponsored by: Barclays
Winner: Indestructible Paint
Indestructible showed that it understands the huge complexities and barriers of the global market yet overcame them to export 70 percent of its turnover.
Shortlisted:
Apreco
Exol Lubricants
Clifton Packaging
Liberty Performance Steels
Portmeirion Group UK
Crofts & Assinder
Digital Engineering/Technology Award
Sponsored by: Xuper
Winner: Reynolds Technology
Reynolds marked its 120th anniversary by taking a traditional product, bicycling tubing, and turning it into an innovation-led 3D printed growth story.
Highly Commended: Stickee Technology
Shortlisted:
Evolve-IT Consulting
Guidance Marine
JC Metalworks
Unipart Manufacturing Group
Sorion Electronics
Waldeck Consulting
Food and Drink Award
Winner: Aston Manor Cider
Cider’s a fast-growing market, and Aston’s made some shrewd investments in innovation and branding, with fruit flavourings that stand out on shelves.
Shortlisted:
Clifton Packaging
James T Blakeman & Co
Miss Macaroon
Purity Brewing Company
Green/Sustainable Manufacturer Award
Winner: Stone Computers
Stone’s got sustainability in its DNA: it comes naturally in all it does – a slick recycling operation that’s integrated with the rest of the business.
Highly Commended: Minster Surfacing
Shortlisted:
Clifton Packaging
Purity Brewing Company
Smithery
Manufacturing Apprenticeship/Training Scheme Award
Sponsored by: Coventry University
Winner: Contechs
Contech’s breadth of training, from apprenticeships to PhDs, is driven from top with a philosophy that continuous improvement means continuous success.
Highly Commended: Miss Macaroon and Aston Martin Lagonda
Shortlisted:
JC Metalworks
Lander Automotive
Liberty Pressing Solutions
Tamlite Lighting
Manufacturing Innovation Award
Sponsored by: Haines Watts
Winner: Clifton Packaging
Clifton’s simply at the cutting edge of innovative packaging. Its new products and processes have driven strong, consistent growth.
Shortlisted:
Network Telecom (UK)
Guidance Marine
Kingspan Insulation
Jack Aluminium,
Lontra
Wicksteed Playgrounds
Judges Special Award
Winner: Unipart Manufacturing Group
This year the judges decided that there was one business that was shortlisted, and although it did not win its category, was so impressive and had made such a sustained contribution to Midland manufacturing generally that it would be wrong for it not to be rewarded.
Manufacturer of the Year (turnover of under £25m)
Sponsored by: Hunter Selection
Winner: AE Aerospace
The judges said AE Aerospace was doing all the right things to keep it flying – investing in equipment, skills and really embracing Industry 4.0.
Shortlisted:
JC Metalworks
Mereway Kitchens
Alpha Rail
Apreco
Lontra
Sygnet Signs
Manufacturer of the Year (turnover of more than £25m)
Sponsored by: East Midlands Airport
Winner: Liberty Engineering
Liberty’s acquisition of the former Caparo Industries steel business has brought stability to the regional economy. The pipeline of new products and growth potential stands out with this company.
Shortlisted:
Aston Manor Cider
Kingspan Insulation
Liberty Engineering
Tamlite Lighting
Voestalpine Metsec
