2018 British Woodworking Federation Awards call for entries launched

The call for entries for the 2018 British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Awards has now been launched, giving joinery sector businesses an opportunity to showcase their finest achievements from the last year.

From hand-carved craftsmanship to high-tech innovations, the awards are said to give great projects, products and people the recognition they deserve, helping businesses benchmark their progress against the very best of the industry. The closing date for entries for this year’s Awards is June 22.

BWF chief executive, Iain McIlwee, began this year’s call for entries: “With wood taking over as the architectural wonder material of this century, the awards are a chance for UK joinery businesses to prove that they can not only build it better with wood, but build it in a way that is more sustainable, more productive, healthier and safer than the rest.

“Have you worked on an amazing wood project or launched an innovative new product? Does your joinery business have any rising stars or Health & Safety heroes within the workforce? Or do you simply think that you can do better than the other businesses out there and want to prove it? 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.”

The winners will be announced at the BWF’s Annual Awards Dinner in November with the shortlist to be revealed in October at the W Exhibition, which is the national show for the joinery and furniture industries. All shortlisted entrants will receive a free place at the dinner and will have their achievements promoted through a marketing and social media campaign.

Entry is free and open to all, including non-members of the BWF so long as they are from the UK joinery and woodworking sector. The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday, June 22, 2018. Entries for this year’s awards can be submitted at www.bwf.org.uk/choose-wood/awards.

The BWF Awards 2018 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 Woodworking Project of the Year (sponsored by Whitehill Tools) 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 W Exhibition) – 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.

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