Fly the flag for British joinery: Last chance to enter the industry’s most prestigious awards

Has your firm completed an outstanding woodworking or joinery project that you really want to shout about? Do you have a health and safety hero in your workforce, or have you made some smart innovations in your working processes? Perhaps you have an apprentice or trainee that’s head-and-shoulders above the rest?

All joinery manufacturing and woodworking firms are being urged to get the recognition they deserve, and help raise the profile of British joinery, by entering the BWF Awards in 2015.

Entry to the UK woodworking and joinery industry’s most prestigious awards is free. The awards are open to both members and non-members of the BWF, as long as they are from the joinery and woodworking sector.

There are five award categories to choose from (see below), highlighting best practice and achievement in technical innovation and excellence, process efficiency and health & safety, as well as special awards for apprentice and trainee performance.

As well as having their achievements promoted through a high profile marketing and social media campaign, shortlisted entrants will be showcased at this year’s Timber Expo exhibition – part of UK Construction Week – which attracts the interest of more than 10,000 architects, specifiers, contractors and industry professionals.
 
All shortlisted entrants will also receive a free place at the BWF’s popular Annual Dinner which takes place on 20 November at the Law Society’s magnificent neo-Georgian headquarters on Chancery Lane, London.
 
The BWF has also confirmed that next year’s awards will be co-located with W16, the joinery and furniture manufacturing show held at the NEC. W16 is a high profile event showcasing the latest products and developments to an industry which constantly searches for innovation in improvement in production capability.

See below for details of last year’s winners. Can you match them? Then get your entry in to the BWF Woodworking Awards 2015 at www.bwf.org.uk/choose-wood/awards

The deadline for entries is 5 pm on Friday 11 September 2015.

Award categories and previous winners:

Technical Innovation and Excellence (sponsored by Accoya)

Recognising the very best in design, application or ability in joinery manufacture, and innovation in products or projects. Winners Houghtons of York Ltd completed an large-scale restoration of an eighteenth century Grade II listed home, with traditional techniques and period features cleverly adapted to allow the homeowner to hide away an array of hi-tech devices.

Process Efficiency (sponsored by W16)

Implementing lean processes maximises value for money, quality and speed of delivery. This award recognises exceptional projects of this kind that have improved business performance. Winners West Port (Windows and Doors) Ltd of Cumbria successfully applied lean production to two painting processes, saving in excess of £174,000.

Health & Safety Hero (sponsored by Didac)

Acknowledging individual or collective effort which has made a notable difference to the health and safety practices and culture of your business. Winner Steve McWilliam of Howarth Timber (Windows and Doors) Ltd in North Lincolnshire organised the firm’s purchase of lifesaving equipment – and within weeks had used it to successfully revive an employee who suffered a cardiac arrest.

Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by CITB)

Celebrating apprentices that have really stood out from the crowd, whether through fantastic feats in their work, or extraordinary commitment that adds value to your business. Winner Ben James, a rising star at Tompkins Joinery in Warwickshire, not only produced high-quality work and completed several high-profile projects, but displayed an excellent attitude and always ‘stays until the job is done’.

Trainee of the Year (sponsored by CITB)

Celebrates the work and/or commitment of those who have entered the industry through alternative routes, including graduates, A-level students and in-house trainees. Winner Samatha Chesson had been a personal trainer and a beauty therapist before training as an estimator with Arnold Laver, who described her technical ability and attention to detail as ‘phenomenal’.

Find out more and enter the BWF Annual Awards at www.bwf.org.uk/choose-wood/awards