A major new regional manufacturing, engineering and innovation awards programme has been launched to support a thriving industry across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. The Cotswold Life Engineering, Manufacturing and Innovation (EMI) Awards, officially launched on February 20th and now open for nominations in 12 categories including Best Start-up Company, Technology Innovation of the Year, Best Research and Development Project and Manufacturer of the Year. The full list of categories is listed on www.emiawards.cotswoldlife.co.uk.

Nicky Godding, Cotswold Life’s Business Editor, said: “Over the last four years we’ve continually championed this sector in our magazine, dedicating many pages to reporting on the success stories, because thousands of local people work in the industry and there are too few regional awards programmes dedicated to celebrating the huge contribution they make to the region, and to the UK economy.”

The Cotswolds is particularly rich in aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical and renewable energy companies, but many other sectors are also represented and while there are many prestigious national industry awards ceremonies, fewer exist in the regions where they can really help in raising local awareness, from where companies draw a large proportion of their workforce. This can really help local recruitment, an on-going issue for many companies in the sector. An awards programme can also introduce manufacturing and engineering companies to each other, building a useful local supply chain instead of having to source product from China or elsewhere, when quality companies are producing the same thing locally.

“Cotswold manufacturing and engineering companies are not always the best at promoting what they do here,” added Nicky. “They don’t sell locally, so why engage here? However, flying the flag for your business locally can boost recruitment, support the surrounding community and build a network of support businesses, bringing down costs. We are looking forward to a really fantastic awards programme and to meeting some exciting new businesses.”

The Cotswold Life Engineering, Manufacturing and Innovation Awards are open to any business, large or small, in the areas where Cotswold Life is sold: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Wiltshire. The awards welcome entries from manufacturing, engineering and design companies, prototype and assembly companies in any industry sector along with inventors. Nominations are now open and close at midnight on May 25. The awards gala dinner is to be held later this year on the 17th September at Cheltenham Town Hall.

For more information visit: emiawards.cotswoldlife.co.uk
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