Now in its sixth year, The PPMA Group Industry Awards 2017, which recognises the finest examples of innovation, smart manufacturing, entrepreneurship and collaboration in the processing and packaging machinery industry’s prestigious annual awards ceremony, has announced the shortlist for this year’s ceremony. The Awards take place on 26 September 2017 at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham.

Following an impressive number of entries, the independent panel of 10 esteemed industry experts came together to choose finalists in each of the 11 categories, which include Innovative Robotic Machinery, Partnership of the Year and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award. The winner of each category will be announced at the PPMA Group Industry Awards ceremony and gala dinner, which takes place at Birmingham’s National Motorcycle Museum on Tuesday 26 September – the first day of the unmissable industry event titled the PPMA Show.

CEO of PPMA Group Andrew Mint commented: “Thanks to an incredibly high standard of entries this year, the judges reported a difficult deliberation process, which is testament to the innovatory nature of our industry. No doubt they’ve got an even harder task ahead with choosing a winner, and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of both the finalists and winners at the ceremony.”

Mirroring the high number of finalists in the PPMA Group Industry Awards Innovation categories, the PPMA Show 2017 will provide the platform for the industry’s key players to showcase their latest technology. Returning to the NEC between the 26-28 September, the show will see more than 300 brands including Schubert UK, Omron, ABB Limited, Ilapak Ltd, and MINEBEA INTENC come together on the 10,000sqm exhibition floor.

For tickets for the PPMA Group Industry Awards and to register for the PPMA Show, head to www.ppmashow.co.uk

Please see a full list of finalists below:

Innovative Processing System

–          DC Norris &Company
–          Ishida Europe
–          Loma Systems
–          Tapflo UK Ltd
–          Ytron-Quadro (UK) Ltd

Innovative Packaging Machinery

–          Bradman Lake
–          Brillopak Ltd
–          Pacepacker
–          PFM Packaging Machinery
–          Tna Solutions
–          Linx Printing Technologies
–          Gebo Cermex
–          ULMA Packaging Ltd

Innovative Robotics Solution

–          Brillopak Ltd
–          Ishida Europe
–          OAL
–          Tekpak

Innovative Vision Solution

–          Acrovision
–          Altec GmbH FOBA Laser Marking + Engraving
–          ClearView Imaging
–          Industrial Vision Systems Ltd
–          Tekpak

Innovative Ancillary Equipment

–          SICK (UK) Ltd
–          Flexco
–          Simmatic Automation
–          Pacepacker Services

Exporter of the Year

–          Endoline
–          Russell Finex

Exceptional Sales Performance

–          Fortress Technology
–          Gordian Strapping Ltd
–          Grunwald UK
–          Riggs Autopack Ltd
–          ADSOL

Partnership of the Year

–          Evolution BPS & MBF
–          ICS Cool Energy & LINPAC Packaging
–          Tekpak & Ilapak
–          Dimaco Ltd. & Starflex Packaging Europe Ltd.

Environmental Initiative of the Year

–          Jenton Dimaco
–          ICS Cooling
–          Trescal
–          Russell Finex