Get the recognition your business deserves and help raise the profile of British woodworking by entering the BWF Awards in 2016

Has your firm completed an outstanding joinery project or product design 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 2016.

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 six award categories to choose from (see below), highlighting technical innovation and excellence in joinery projects and product design, process efficiency and health & safety, as well as special awards for apprentice and trainee performance.

All shortlisted entrants will have their achievements promoted through a high profile marketing and social media campaign as well as receiving a free place at the BWF’s popular Annual Dinner which takes place on the evening of Tuesday 4th October 2016 at the prestigious National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. The BWF 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 2016 at www.bwf.org.uk/choose-wood/awards

The deadline for entries is 5 pm on Friday 24 June 2016.

Award categories and previous winners:

Woodworking Project of the Year (sponsored by Accoya)

Recognising the very best in design, application or ability in joinery manufacture, and innovation in joinery projects. Presented to Houghtons of York Ltd for a second consecutive year, the 2015 award was given for the manufacture and stunning hand carving of a reredos and gradine for a private chapel. Applications may also be entered into the Wood Awards at no cost, but entries must be received by 27th May 2016, 5pm to be entered for both. The Award is in memory of John Hedgecock, former Technical Director at the BWF. Download the application form and enter now…

Product Design in Wood

Entries are invited for excellence in technical innovation, application, and achievement innovation in joinery product manufacture and design. Applications may also be entered into the Wood Awards at no cost (by filling out part 3), but entries must be received by 27th May 2016, 5pm to be entered for both. Download the application form and enter now…

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. Last year’s winners AJB Woodworking Ltd , moved into new factory premises, working hard to achieve efficiency savings that meant that production could still be sustained. The production lead time has halved and they are expecting to increase staff by a third in 2017. Download the application form and enter now…

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. Lawrence Pereira of D J Newman Joinery Ltd was crowned Health and Safety Hero in 2015. He was praised by judges for his dedication to transforming the health and safety of the business including the introduction of new policies, manuals and training for the workforce. The Award is in memory of Michael Lee, former Membership Director at the BWF who passed away earlier this year. Download the application form and enter now…

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.  Joe Handy of West Oak Joinery Ltd won the Award in 2015. Judges said: “the quality of his workmanship has been second-to-none, showing skill and knowledge from the interpretation of drawings and design. He is maturing well beyond his years, and is now an integral and vital part of the team.” Download the application form and enter now…

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. Last year Dale Hodgins of Beard Evans Joinery Ltd, impressed the judges with his “strong aptitude for understanding drawings and producing an exemplary standard of work.” Dale also competed in the World Skills Competition in the national heats and has now travelled the world showing off the high standards of UK joinery. Download the application form and enter now…