BPIF Awards' Record Entry - Gala Presentations

Out of a record number of companies entering this year's BPIF Excellence Awards, over 30 of the best companies in the UK printing industry are represented in the 2006 short-list.

Out of a record number of companies entering this year's BPIF Excellence Awards, over 30 of the best companies in the UK printing industry are represented in the 2006 short-list.

There may be a further 12 finalists when the National Training and Development Awards are judged, said the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF).

The BPIF commented that competition has been tougher than ever in the history of the awards, with only two companies, TJ International and Whitehorse Press, being short-listed in more than one category.

BPIF chief executive Michael Johnson highlighted the importance that these awards have in promoting good business practice in the UK printing industry.

He said: "The UK printing industry is not yet world-class.

In fact it is doubtful that any national printing industry could claim to be so.

However in the UK, the industry has developed a portfolio of initiatives to drive us closer to the goal of excellence.

Recognising best practice provides not only provides both a reward for achievement, but also role models for the rest of the industry to follow.

There are 14 Excellence Awards for the UK print industry that cover all aspects of business management from training to safety, marketing to environment and HR to e-business and the International award is available to all companies across the globe.

The judges and BPIF deputy chief executive Cicely Brown have been impressed and appreciative of the effort that has gone in to every one of the entries.

Cicely Brown said: "These awards are tough to enter and to win: companies have recognised that they must excel to win and the submissions have been universally of a high quality.

In some categories, I could confidently say that virtually all of the entries in 2006 would have been of finalist calibre five years ago.

Twenty-three specialists from across the industry have spent over 170 man-hours judging the 10 awads.

Short-listed companies come from every sector of the industry including packaging, books and journals, magazines, digital print specialists, industry suppliers, commercial printers and greetings cards specialists, all of whom will be recognised at the gala event that takes place on April 6 alongside Ipex 2006 at the Birmingham Metropole Hotel.

"As well as being an international trade show, Ipex is our opportunity to celebrate the UK printing industry and we expect the awards to be the highlight of the evening entertainment," Brown continued.

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