STUNELL BACKS MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE

4.15.00pm GMT Mon 8th Dec 2008

Local MP Andrew Stunell is urging local businesses in the Stockport area to enter the UK's most prestigious business awards scheme. Firms have until 29th January to enter the battle for "Best UK Business" at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' Manufacturing Excellence Awards (MX) 2009.

Dubbed the "Oscars" of the business world, MX is free for any firm to enter. There are 13 "Oscars" up for grabs including Best Overall Business, best SME, Sustainable manufacturing, Customer Focus, and Best Business Education Partnership. Finalists get a chance to attend the prestigious ceremony on 25th June 2009 at the Dorchester in London where the winners will be unveiled.

Commenting, Andrew said:

"At a time of such economic difficulty, it is too easy to forget all the good things that businesses do that should be celebrated.

"With small businesses making up 95% of the UK's manufacturing sector, they are a huge asset to the local area, and the country as a whole.

"It's important for all of us to support manufacturing and local businesses, and this scheme offers the guidance to help businesses flourish.

"I would strongly urge any firms, big or small, to enter the MX awards and give themselves a chance of being nominated Britain's best company."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The MX Awards are the UK's longest running Business Awards.

2. The awards are free for any firm to enter, and are the only best practice benchmarking scheme of its kind to offer an elite panel of industry experts giving free, impartial advice to entrants, estimated at being worth up to £20,000.

3. More information on the awards can be found at www.mxawards.org