Celebrating Industry Leaders: The Manufacturing Supplier Innovation Awards

Finelight Media’s Manufacturing Supplier Innovation Awards are now open for nominations! These awards highlight the suppliers and innovators at the forefront of manufacturing technology. Suppliers can nominate their most innovative solutions, while manufacturers can nominate standout suppliers who contribute transformative value to their operations. From advanced Industry 4.0 applications to sustainable manufacturing solutions, this award champions those who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in manufacturing.

With a wide range of categories, each representing a key area of manufacturing excellence, these awards give suppliers the opportunity to gain recognition across sectors. Nominees will go through a rigorous evaluation process, culminating in an industry-wide vote through Manufacturing Today’s readership, making sure that winners truly represent the best of the best in manufacturing innovation.

The Nomination Process: How to Get Involved

Participating in the Manufacturing Supplier Innovation Awards is straightforward and accessible to all qualifying suppliers and manufacturers:

• Self-Nomination: Suppliers can nominate their own innovative solutions in any applicable category, showcasing the technology, processes, or practices that make them unique.
• Nomination by Manufacturers: Manufacturers are also encouraged to nominate their most innovative suppliers, acknowledging the vendors whose cutting-edge technologies support and enhance their own operations.
• No Fees to Enter: Entering these awards are free, making this a great opportunity for suppliers of all sizes to gain recognition without a financial barrier.

All nominees are carefully reviewed by an advisory board comprising senior executives from top manufacturing firms. Shortlisted candidates will then be selected and presented to the readers of Manufacturing Today, who will vote to decide the winners. This peer-driven process ensures each accolade reflects industry-wide acknowledgement and merit.

Award Categories

The Manufacturing Supplier Innovation Awards span multiple categories, allowing companies to showcase innovations across a range of specializations. Here’s a look at some of the key categories that highlight different facets of manufacturing innovation:

Industry 4.0 and Digital Transformation

• Most Innovative IoT Solution
• Most Innovative Big Data and Analytics Solution
• Most Innovative AI Solution for Manufacturing
• Most Innovative Robotics Solution
• Most Innovative Automation Solution
• Most Innovative Augmented Reality Solution
• Most Innovative Additive Manufacturing Solution
• Most Innovative Cloud Computing Solution
• Most Innovative Digital Twin Solution
• Most Innovative Digital Transformation Solution
• Most Innovative Cybersecurity Solution
• Most Innovative Customisation Solution
• Most Innovative SCADA Solution

Manufacturing Operations

• Most Innovative Factory Value Stream Mapping Solution
• Most Innovative Production Planning Solution
• Most Innovative Inventory Management Solution
• Most Innovative Materials Handling Solution
• Most Innovative Quality Control Solution
• Most Innovative Predictive Maintenance Solution
• Most Innovative Connectivity Solution
• Most Innovative Machine Tool Solution
• Most Innovative ERP Solution
• Most innovative Manufacturing Execution System
• Most Innovative Master Data Management Platform
• Most Innovative Project Information Management Solution
• Most Innovative Document Management Solution
• Most Innovative Solution for Process Automation
• Most Innovative Solution for Just-in-Time Manufacturing

Sustainable Manufacturing

• Most Innovative Energy Management Solution
• Most Innovative Renewables Solution
• Most Innovative Plant Recycling Solution
• Most Innovative Solution for Waste Reduction
• Most Innovative Circular Economy Solution
• Most Innovative Provider of Sustainable Materials
• Most Innovative Sustainable Packaging Solution
• Most Innovative Water Management Solution
• Most Innovative Carbon Capture Solution
• Most Innovative Supply Chain Sustainability Solution

Supply Chain Management

• Most Innovative Supply Chain Workflow Simulation Solution
• Most Innovative Procurement Management Solution
• Most Innovative Demand Forecasting Solution
• Most Innovative Solution for Managing Supplier Relations
• Most Innovative Supply Chain Optimisation Solution

Editor’s Special Awards

• Factory of the Future
• Most Innovative Executive in Manufacturing

Each category is designed to recognise groundbreaking work in specific areas of manufacturing, from advancing automation to promoting sustainable practices and enhancing supply chain management. This tailored recognition helps participants demonstrate their impact in their specialized field and allows manufacturers to highlight their suppliers’ contributions across distinct segments.

Advisory Board

Adrian Pinder
Head, Digital and Data
DS Smith UK

Nikolay Burlutskiy
Director of Artificial Intelligence
and ML
AstraZeneca

Phill Elston
Operations Director
Brompton Bicycle

Ioana Hera
Head of Improvement
Rolls-Royce

Sudesh Jog
Vice President, Data & Analytics
UK & North America
Apetito UK

Paul Knight
VP, IT & CISO
Turntide Technologies

Filip Nowak
Global Head of Cyber Defense
Ferrero

Malgorzata Samuel
Global Data Lead
McCormick & Company

Mike Wilson
Chief Automation Officer
MTC – Manufacturing
Technology Centre

Recognizing Excellence and Promoting Growth

The Manufacturing Supplier Innovation Awards are more than an accolade; they’re a celebration of the talent, hard work, and forward-thinking approaches that drive the manufacturing industry forward. Winners of the awards gain more than a title — they achieve validation from top industry leaders and the readership of Manufacturing Today. This exposure can open doors to new business opportunities, strengthen customer confidence, and build a reputation for excellence that sets them apart.

In addition to formal recognition, award recipients are featured in a prominent winners’ report distributed through Manufacturing Today’s channels, which reaches an extensive audience of manufacturing professionals and decision-makers. Winners are also given marketing support, including dedicated social media promotion, increasing their visibility in a way that resonates throughout the industry.

A Call to Innovators and Leaders

If you’re a supplier with groundbreaking solutions or a manufacturer with innovative partnerships, now is the time to nominate for the Manufacturing Supplier Innovation Awards. Join us in celebrating the individuals and companies who are pioneering the future of manufacturing. Together, we’ll spotlight achievements, encourage industry advancement, and inspire the next wave of innovation.

Enter now!