EEF has announced the winners of its Future Manufacturing Awards 2012, sponsored by headline partner Infor.
Shortlisted manufacturers from across the UK gathered at the EEF National Gala Dinner (sponsored by Santander Corporate Banking) at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London to celebrate their achievements.

Welsh manufacturers triumphed in the Environmental Efficiency Awards, sponsored by ENER-G, which celebrated the achievements of businesses that improved operational efficiency while reducing their environmental impact. The winner was Nuaire, which manufactures energy efficient ventilation systems, and advanced photonic solutions manufacturer Qioptiq was named runner-up.

The Green and Growth Award, also sponsored by ENER-G, was awarded to manufacturers that developed products or services that reduced carbon emissions and supported the move towards a low carbon economy. Warrington manufacturer of power and automation technologies, ABB, was unveiled as the national winner and Dewsbury producer of motor and control technologies Parker Hannifin as runner-up.

Sponsored by Westfield Health, the Business Growth Award was won by Express Engineering (Thomson), the manufacturer of precision engineered, while specialist machining and sub-contractor Milltech Precision Engineering was named runner up.

Automotive components manufacturer Calsonic Kansei was runner-up of both the Skills and Training Award, sponsored by Westfield Health, and the Innovative Operating Practices Award, sponsored by JAM Recruitment. Winners of the Skills and Training Award and Innovative Operating Practices Award were SCA Hygiene Products and MedImmune respectively.

The People Management Award, sponsored by JAM Recruitment was Devonport Royal Dockyard and coffee machine manufacturer, Fracino, was named winner of The Outstanding Export Award, sponsored by DHL

Manufacturers of the future were also rewarded for their achievements at the event witha number of awards for students and apprentices.

EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, is the representative voice of manufacturing in the UK together with UK Steel. The Awards recognise excellence in enterprise, innovation, environmental performance, exporting and skills development among UK manufacturers, and also, outstanding apprentices.