Awards promote the value of British engineering

The Awards aren't just there to celebrate the successes of a few; the Awards are intended to demonstrate to all UK engineering companies that it is possible to succeed, that they can work to a high level and, at that high level, compete on a global level. Chair of this year's judging panel is David Kynaston, chair of the Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network. He said: "In today's competitive world, only the best will survive and only the excellent will provide for market leadership. The British Engineering Excellence Awards are an essential part of pushing our performance to ever higher standards and an opportunity to showcase our best products and solutions. To receive one of the Awards is a massive endorsement to any company and should inspire its entire staff for a job well done. To win overall is to be world leading and there can be no higher accolade. "I am confident, not only in the abilities of the UK's engineering sector, but also in its world class skill and innovation. I urge you to engage with us in recognising the best." Last year's event saw the Grand Prix awarded to Flybrid Systems for its kinetic energy recovery system. In selecting Flybrid, the judges noted the company was 'a great example of British engineering, coupled with excellent entrepreneurial management'. And the Judges' Special Award went to Lotus Engineering, identified as a company that epitomised the British Engineering Excellence Awards by being recognised globally as being a world leader in its chosen field of engineering. The Judges said 'most of the company's business is derived from engineering services and it's even more impressive when you think about the size of some of the companies that have gone to Lotus for its help. It's a company with genuine world class outstanding capability'. Can your designs match up? One way to find out is to enter the British Engineering Excellence Awards. There are a range of Awards categories, ranging from product based to people. The Judges will be making a Special Award again this year and the best of the best will receive the Grand Prix Award. The Awards are open to all companies with an engineering design function. The judging standards will be rigorous and winners – businesses that have recognised that creativity and design innovation are the critical elements of continually improving and reinvigorating themselves to stay ahead of the competition – will be justifiably proud with their achievement. Entries for the British Engineering Excellence Awards close on 31 July 2010 and the shortlist will be announced on 25 August. The final judging session will take place on 1 September and the Awards will be presented at a lunch event, being held at the Globe Theatre in London on 14 October. For more information on the British Engineering Excellence Awards, along with entry forms, go to www.beeas.co.uk. Award categories Design Engineer of the Year Young Design Engineer of the Year Consultancy of the Year Small Company of the Year Start Up of the Year Green Product of the Year New Mechanical Product of the Year New Electronic Product of the Year Mechatronic Design of the Year Judges' Special Award Best Of British Grand Prix The judges David Kynaston, chair. Chair, Electronics KTN Nick Appleyard, head of digital, Technology Strategy Board Kate Bellingham, presenter and broadcaster Colin Brown, director of engineering, IMechE Doug Cross, technical director, Flybrid Systems Graham Pitcher, group editor, Findlay Media Engineering Design Division Mark Sanders, director, MAS Design Eric Wilkinson, head of product development, Cambridge Consultants Andrew Sleigh, director, Pinoak Innovation Consulting