Nifco UK wins top Plastics Industry Award

Nifco UK has won the coveted prize as Processor of the Year in the Plastics Industry Awards 2008.

The UK subsidiary of the Japanese automotive supplier has transformed itself in the past two years from a loss-making company into a generator of healthy profits, with a clear strategy of business improvement.

Mike Matthews, md of Nifco UK, based in Stockton-on-Tees, said the company was “absolutely delighted” to have won the award. “This shows that all the hard work has paid off and is being recognised. It’s the whole team that’s done it,” he said.

Nifco UK also picked up the award for Best Training & Development Programme at the awards in London on Friday.

Other injection moulders celebrating at the London Hilton were Rosti Technical Plastics and Hi-Technology Group. Product design, recycling and suppliers of machinery, materials and moulds were all covered in the awards, which are organised by PRW.

Philip Law, director of industrial and public affairs at the British Plastics Federation, was presented with the award for Personal Contribution to the Plastics Industry. Law will have worked for the BPF for 30 years in October.

Plastics Industry Awards 2008 winners

• Processor of the Year Nifco UK
• Consumer Product Design Award Liquid Lever Solutions
• Industrial Product Design Award Linpac Environmental
• Best Technology Application SmartPoint
• Best Environmental or Energy Efficiency Programme Axion Polymers
• Best Health & Safety Programme Rosti Technical Plastics (UK)
• Best Business Initiative Hi-Technology Group
• Best Training & Development Programme Nifco UK
• Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Daniel Pearce - Numatic International
• Personal Contribution to the Plastics Industry Philip Law
• Polymer Producer of the Year DuPont Engineering Polymers
• Polymer Distributor or Compounder of the Year Distrupol
• Prime Machinery Supplier of the Year Engel UK
• Ancillary Machinery Supplier of the Year Summit Systems
• Toolmaker of the Year Hanson Thorp