KEETCH SUPPORTS MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE 2010 IN HEREFORD

10.10.00am GMT Tue 15th Dec 2009

Paul Keetch MP from Hereford is urging local businesses in the area to enter the UK's most prestigious business awards scheme. Firms have until January 29 to enter the battle for 'Best UK Business' at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' Manufacturing Excellence Awards (MX) 2010.

Dubbed the 'Oscars' of the business world, MX is free for any firm to enter and is the only best practice benchmarking scheme of its kind to offer an elite panel of industry experts giving up to £20,000 worth of free, impartial advice. Deadline for entries is 29 January 2010

Paul Keetch MP said: ''I would encourage any firms, of any size, to enter the MX Awards. Latest Government figures show SMEs make up 95% of the UK manufacturing sector and 99% of all businesses in the UK. With the MX scheme, these firms can receive coaching and support from leading industry experts.

'MX is known as the international hallmark of best practice and we, as MPs, should be supporting manufacturing and these companies.''

Paul Keetch MP said: "MX is unique because each year it goes out and demonstrates, time and again, that improving the skill base and empowering the people inside a company delivers better products and processes, more satisfied customers and, ultimately, improved profitability. This is the one event your business should be a part of."

Companies backing MX this year include PricewaterhouseCoopers, National Skills Academy for Manufacturing, Arup, Warwick Manufacturing Group, the Government's Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), Autodesk, and the National Business2Business Centre. They will be touring the country working with entrants to compile a Self Assessment Audit (SAA). In turn firms receive a free Benchmark Report, worth up to £20,000 in free business advice, which will provide them with invaluable advice on how to improve performance.

There are 12 'Oscars' up for grabs including Best Overall Business, Best SME, Sustainable Manufacturing, Product Innovation, People Effectiveness, Customer Focus, Best Finance Management, and Best Business Education Partnership. Finalists get a chance to attend the prestigious ceremony on 23 June 2010 at the Dorchester in London where the winners will be unveiled.

If you are interested in entering this year then download the MX10 Entry Form or visit www.mxawards.org and email h_morgan@imeche.org. Media enquiries should be directed to the IMechE Press Office on 020 7304 6877 or email media@imeche.org.

Businesses are invited to attend a one-off MX event on 26 January at the Institution's Birdcage Walk venue called, How to Survive and Thrive in the Recession and Beyond. Click here for information on this event.