Call for entries as the British Woodworking Federation celebrates 16th Annual Awards

Entries have now opened for the British Woodworking Federation’s (BWF) Awards, with the event set to recognise and celebrate the outstanding skills and talent, projects and manufacturing achievements within the woodworking and joinery sector of the last year.

This is the 16^th year that the prestigious annual awards have taken place, with this year marking the launch of a new category– the BWF Sustainability Award.

Helen Hewitt, Chief Executive of the BWF, said: “We’re excited to introduce the BWF Sustainability Award to honour those leading the charge with sustainable practices.

“Our profession is in a unique position with timber being the only truly renewable building material, and through the Timber in Construction Roadmap we can play a key role in the Government’s net zero ambitions by safely increasing the use of timber and reducing embodied carbon in the built environment.

“To support this low carbon vision, it’s also important to champion the woodworking and joinery businesses taking a proactive approach to sustainability. The new BWF award will recognise the significant achievements of woodworking and joinery businesses that have reduced their carbon emissions or implemented new and better processes to improve their energy efficiency.

“We’re looking forward to coming together in November to celebrate the very best of the UK’s woodworking and joinery sector.”

Entries for this year’s BWF Awards close on Friday 30^th August 2024. Those shortlisted will be invited to attend the prestigious BWF Awards Dinner on Friday 22^nd November at The Langham, London – Europe’s first ‘Grand Hotel’.

Businesses can nominate themselves or be nominated by a client or supplier, and there are no limits on the number of categories that can be entered. The categories for this year’s awards, which are free to enter, are:

BWF Woodworking Project of the Year Award – Sponsored by Impra

This award recognises innovation and the very best in design, application and ability in joinery manufacture. Judges are looking for a project that demonstrates excellence in woodworking and joinery and exceeds the usual requirements of joinery products.

BWF Innovation Award – Sponsored by Anker Stuy

This award recognises excellence in technical innovation, product development, design, manufacturing or application. The judges are looking for a product or process development that showcases or extends the opportunity and application of timber joinery by overcoming technical or process difficulties or by introducing new concepts to produce the desired joinery solution.

BWF Health and Safety Award – Sponsored by NFU Mutual

This award acknowledges an individual or collective effort, or initiative, which has made a notable difference to the health and safety practices and culture within a business. The judges are looking for an initiative or action that has improved safety in an organisation.

BWF Rising Star Award – Sponsored by Accsys Technologies Plc

This award recognises an individual whose dedication and hard work has made a real difference to either the organisation in which they work, or to the wider woodworking and joinery community. The judges are looking for an individual who goes the ‘extra mile’ to ensure that customers receive the best possible experience and has had a positive impact on the performance or efficiency of the business.

BWF Heritage Project of the Year Award – Sponsored by Remmers

Recognising excellence in a conservation, restoration or renovation application, for this award the judges are looking for a heritage joinery project that demonstrates excellence in woodworking/joinery, and evidence that the company contributed to the conservation, restoration or renovation of a heritage project.

NEW: BWF Sustainability Award – Sponsored by Mirka

This award recognises outstanding projects, initiatives or individuals that demonstrate a commitment to improving the company’s environmental sustainability performance. The judges are looking for organisations or individuals that have identified and secured lasting sustainability improvements, demonstrated through evidence that sustainable environmental improvements have been made, and committed to continually improving sustainability through clear processes.

BWF Apprentice of the Year Award – Sponsored by CITB

Celebrates the achievements of all apprentices within the woodworking businesses. The judges are looking for quality of work to agreed quality targets and standards, a safety-first attitude and extraordinary commitment that has added value to the apprentice’s place of work.

To enquire about sponsorship opportunities, which are open to members and non-members, please contact gemma.price@bwf.org.uk.

Further information about the BWF Awards, including entry forms, can be found here.