AIS, a UK-based manufacturer, has been awarded first place in the Health and Safety category, and second place in Business Strategy and Growth, at the Regional EEF Future Manufacturing Awards held at the Leiths at Beaulieu Motor Museum, in Hampshire.

The company was up against stiff competition from a range of innovative businesses from across the region and selected by a panel of judges drawn from business leaders, industry experts and academics.

Dan Howell, Group QHSE Manager at AIS, commented,

“Nothing is more important to our business than the health and safety of our workforce. The safety culture change initiative that we introduced has been bought into by all within the global organisation, from the senior management team to the shop floor. This has led to a dramatic improvement in safety performance.”

Simon Gallimore, Manufacturing Industry Lead AIG UK, added,

“Boosting health and safety in the workplace leads to significant improvements in employee wellbeing, operational efficiency and reduced spend on insurance and accidents. Advanced Insulation justly deserves this award for the fantastic work that they have done to improve their health and safety culture. We wish them the best of luck for the national finals in January.”

In addition, AIS placed second in the Business Strategy and Growth category for the creation of an innovative business model for its ContraFlex^® insulation jacket and passive fire protection range, helping the company to weather the ramifications of the oil price crash on its core market. This included over £6 million of investment in areas including manufacturing facilities, key acquisitions, research and development to create new products, testing and certifications.

Mark Crittenden, Director of Jacket Sales at Advanced Insulation added,

“We’re delighted to be recognised by the EEF for the creation and implementation of our innovative business strategy and resulting growth. Extending the ContraFlex^® range of products has helped the business to diversify into new and exciting markets such as LNG, food and beverage and HVAC. Our insulation jackets are found anywhere from leisure centre plant rooms to offshore oil rigs across the world – helping improve aspects such as energy efficiencies, maintenance times, fire protection and health and safety considerations.”

Jim Davison, Membership Director for the South at EEF, commented,

“Strategies that deliver productivity, efficiency and innovation are all part of a package that will lead to growth. Manufacturers are at the forefront of delivering these strategies and AIS is a great example of what can be achieved.”