Call goes out for examples of joinery excellence as British Woodworking Federation launches its 2017 Awards

From hand-carving to the latest high tech innovations, the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Awards offer a showcase for the industry’s best projects, products, processes and people.

Joinery manufacturers, timber door, window and interiors companies and woodworking experts across the UK are being encouraged to seek recognition through entering this year’s Awards. Entry is free and open to all, including non-members of the BWF so long as they are from the joinery and woodworking sector. The deadline is 5pm on Friday 8th September 2017.

The winners will be announced at the BWF’s Annual Awards Dinner at Drapers’ Hall on Friday 24th November. All shortlisted entrants will receive a free place at the event and will have their achievements promoted through a high profile marketing and social media campaign.

Last year’s winning companies included Deacon & Sandys, Howdens Joinery & Norma Doors, Two Twenty Stairs, Kierson, Gowercroft and Law & Lewis. Entries for this year’s awards can be submitted at www.bwf.org.uk/choose-wood/awards.

BWF Chief Executive Iain McIlwee began the call for entries:

“The Awards have never been more important in raising the profile of British joinery – they give great projects, products and people the recognition they deserve, and help joinery businesses benchmark their progress against the very best of the industry.

“Many an experienced joiner would consider the carved and hand finished oak staircase that won last year’s Project of the Year to be something of a one-off, but it was simply the best of a number of breath-taking projects competing for the prize.

“The Awards extend further than showcase projects. Rising stars of the industry are celebrated, innovative product design rewarded and the Process Efficiency Award showcases where businesses have prospered from organisational change to become more profitable, sustainable and productive than ever.

“The joinery industry has never been a safer place to work, but the human cost of poor Health & Safety practice is as high as ever and the financial implications of getting it wrong can be eye-watering. This is why we have the Health & Safety Hero Award – to show how Health & Safety is more than a tick box-exercise.

“Have you worked on an amazing wood project? Does your joinery business have any rising stars within the workforce? We urge all UK woodworking businesses to spare a minute and think about what, or who, they might want to put forward as an entry.

“Shortlisted entries get a free ticket the Awards dinner, so hopefully we’ll be seeing you on 24th November at Drapers’ Hall when the winners are announced.”

The BWF Awards 2017 categories are:

The Product Design in Wood category (sponsored by Teknos) recognises excellence in technical expertise, application and innovation in joinery product manufacture and design.

The highly prestigious Woodworking Project of the Year (sponsored by Accoya) recognises the very best in design, application or ability in joinery manufacture, and innovation in joinery projects. This award is given every year in memory of John Hedgecock, former technical director at the BWF.

Process Efficiency (sponsored by W18) – recognising lean processes which have improved business performance, including maximising value for money, quality and speed of delivery.

Health & Safety Hero (sponsored by Didac) – acknowledging an individual or collective effort which has made a notable difference to the health and safety practices and culture of a business. The award will be presented in memory of Michael Lee, former membership director at the BWF who passed away last year.

Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by CITB) – celebrating apprentices who have really stood out from the crowd, whether through fantastic feats in their work or extraordinary commitment that adds value to a business.

Trainee of the Year (sponsored by CITB) – also celebrating the work and commitment of those who have entered the joinery industry through alternative routes, including graduates, A-level students and in-house trainees.

ENDS