RISING STARS IN JOINERY INDUSTRY TO BE REWARDED 
23rd October 2012

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is enjoying a surge of entries to its awards this year, with many examples coming in of technically innovative projects by joinery and woodworking firms, and – for the first time in four years – entries to an award for industry apprentices.
 
There are two awards in 2012:
 
An award for technical excellence and innovation in joinery manufacture - Created in memory of former BWF technical director John Hedgecock, this award is sponsored by Timbmet. It recognises innovative products or projects and rewards industry excellence. Last year’s winner was a joint entry from JELD-WEN UK and Howdens Joinery for the Burford door, a special moulded door exclusively designed to compliment Howdens Joinery’s best selling kitchen range and to provide a family of kitchen frontals and matching joinery doors.  Welland Timber Products Ltd took the inaugural award in 2010 for its role in the extraordinary restoration of Horace Walpole’s Villa in Strawberry Hill, Twickenham.
 
Apprentice of the Year award - Open to any apprentice that is employed within a joinery company, this relaunched award is sponsored by CITB-ConstructionSkills and recognises outstanding achievement, commitment and personal development. It was last awarded in 2008 to Ryan Cassidy of Woodbase Joinery, based in Hastings.  The award seeks to honour apprentices who have really stood out and added value during their time with a joinery company.  Shortlisted apprentices in this category will be given two complimentary tickets for themselves and a guest, and the winner will receive an additional prize of £100, courtesy of Lignum Associates Ltd.  
Both awards are free to enter. Dr Peter Bonfield, chief executive of BRE will introduce the awards during the BWF Annual Dinner on 16 November at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
 
Iain McIlwee, chief executive of the BWF, says: “Even in tough times we need to celebrate our successes.  This is a great industry and the annual BWF awards recognise this by providing an opportunity for woodworking businesses of all sizes to receive recognition for exceptional technical excellence, achievement or innovation in joinery manufacture. Having the opportunity to meet and talk with these rising stars in our industry is one of the highlights of my year.”
 
The deadline for entries is Friday 2 November. Entry forms can be downloaded from /www.bwf.org.uk/news/events/awards2012