Manufacturing’s best recognised at industry ‘Oscars’

The UK manufacturing industry’s leading businesses, teams and individuals have been recognised at The Manufacturer MX (TMMX) Awards 2026, with LISI Aerospace taking home the coveted Manufacturer of the Year title.

The winners were announced at a black-tie ceremony and gala dinner at Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel last night, where leading figures from across the sector came together to celebrate the achievements of manufacturers and the people driving the industry forward.

LISI Aerospace (Blanc Aero Industries UK Ltd), based in Rugby, enjoyed a particularly successful evening, securing three awards in total. Alongside the Manufacturer of the Year accolade, the company won the Smart Factory and Commercial Team of the Year titles.

The judges praised the firm’s pioneering development of a bespoke Smart Factory solution, which has transformed its manufacturing capabilities through the innovative application of technology, employee expertise and a clear focus on operational efficiency.

They also highlighted the strength of teamwork and people-centric leadership behind the transformation, alongside its potential to be scaled across the wider global group.

Tornado Wire Ltd was named Runner-up Manufacturer of the Year, with the judges recognising its clear strategic direction, strong leadership and disciplined approach to growth.

The company also enjoyed a successful evening, winning the Leadership & Strategy and People & Skills accolades, while CEO Rebecca Galley took home the Inspiring Leader award.

Grace Gilling, Managing Director of Hennik Group (part of Nineteen Group), organisers of TMMX Awards, said: “The ability to innovate, problem-solve, and lead through uncertainty remains one of the industry’s greatest strengths, and last night we recognised those achievements.

“All the winners and finalists have taken the time to share their stories, showcasing their achievements and contributing to raising the bar for this industry as a whole.”

The awards recognise excellence across the breadth of manufacturing, from operational performance, international trade and product innovation to sustainability, technology, workforce development and leadership.

This year’s winners reflect an industry continuing to navigate a challenging operating environment, with high industrial energy costs, global instability and shifting trade rules testing businesses.

However, their achievements demonstrate the sector’s determination to invest, innovate, develop its people and pursue new opportunities for growth.

The 2026 winners are:

• Manufacturer of the Year: LISI Aerospace
• Runner-up Manufacturer of the Year: Tornado Wire
• Young Manufacturer of the Year: Seyed-Khashayar Shahidan, Valliant
• International Trade: Centriforce
• Operational Excellence (Enterprise): Carlsberg Britvic
• Operational Excellence (SME): ROSS Pneumatrol
• Smart Factory: LISI Aerospace
• Product Innovation & Design: Kendamil
• Sustainable Manufacturing: AstraZeneca
• Leadership & Strategy: Tornado Wire
• People & Skills: Tornado Wire
• ED&I Champion: Jane Billson, Evtec Automotive
• Sustainability Champion: Fiacre O’Donnell, Encirc
• Technology Champion: Tom Stonier, ROSS Pneumatrol
• Inspiring Leader: Rebecca Galley, Tornado Wire
• Commercial Team of the Year: LISI Aerospace

Delivered by The Manufacturer in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and supported this year by headline sponsor Autodesk, the TMMX Awards have a combined heritage of more than 50 years and are widely regarded as the gold standard in manufacturing awards, the industry’s equivalent of the Oscars for Hollywood.

The awards form part of The Manufacturer Live, the award-winning annual gathering of the manufacturing industry, which brings together senior leaders to share knowledge, celebrate success and build connections across the sector.