As the first entries begin to arrive, the organisers of the Plastics Industry Awards 2021 have announced a panel of no less than 26 independent judges who will together share the task of deciding the shortlisted and winning entries in 16 prestigious awards. The Unsung Hero award returns by popular demand in addition to the new Covid-19 Business Hero award.
“I am delighted that we have been able to assemble such a diverse and distinguished panel of experts to judge the Plastics Industry awards this year,” said Matt Barber, Sales and Events Director at Crain Communications. “Together they represent every part of the UK plastics industry including product design, manufacturing, engineering and recycling with the expertise and experience to judge their industry peers with effective scrutiny and impartiality.”
The Plastics Industry Awards 2021 Judges are:
John Boult, Associate Professor of Design Strategy, Brunel University
Richard Brown, former Managing Director, RJG Technologies
John Carr, Consultant
Peter Clarke, Head of Creative Engineering, GR8 Engineering
Dr Peter Cox, Plastics Consultancy Network and Owner, Peter Cox Associates
Gary Crutchley, Lead Rubber and Tire Consultant, Smithers
Laura Edwards, Human Resources Business Partner, Materials Science and Engineering, Smithers
Stuart Foster, CEO, RECOUP
Dr Mercia Gick, Retired, British Plastics Federation
Simon Hubbard, Director of Product Testing and Processing, Smithers
Stephen Hunt, Membership Services Director, British Plastics Federation
Suzanne Johnstone, Co-founder, PS Partnerships
Dr George Kellie, Chairman, Kellie Technologies
Dr Robin Kent, Plastics Consultancy Network and Tangram Technology
Karen Laird, Editor, Sustainable Plastics
Don Loepp, Editor, Plastics News
Steve May-Russell, CEO, Smallfry
Pravin S Mistry, Plastics Consultancy Network and Global CEO, PREA Technology
Julia Moore, Chief Executive, GTMA
Darren Nock, Global Tooling Manager, Agco
Graeme Paterson, Managing Director, Brightworks
Dave Raine, Deputy Chairman, PMMDA and Roboshot Sales Manager - UK & Ireland, Fanuc
Kevin Ross, President, Scottish Plastic and Rubber Association
Dr Paul Shipton, Technical Director, PS Partnerships
Robert Tomlinson, Plastics Consultancy Network and Proprietor, Plastic Moulding Solutions Technology
Nikki Williams, Association Secretary, PMMDA
The Plastics Industry Awards 2021 culminate in a glamorous, Christmas-themed black tie gala evening and live entertainment at the new venue of The Waldorf Hilton, London on Thursday 2nd December. The winners will also be broadcast as part of a two-day livestream networking and learning event featuring “Ask The Expert” webinars and Q&A sessions, starting on 1st December.
Platinum Awards Sponsors are Engel UK (Processor of the Year) and KraussMaffei (Covid-19 Business Hero). Gold Awards sponsors are Hasco (Supplier Partnerships – Toolmaker), Meusburger (Apprentice or Trainee and PlastikCity (Supplier Partnership – Ancillary). Arburg are sponsoring the Charity Casino at the Waldorf event.
The awards enjoy the support of multiple industry associations including The BPF (British Plastics Federation), RECOUP (Recycling of Used Plastics – Best Recycled Product), the GTMA, PMMDA (Polymer Machinery Manufacturers & Distributors Association), the SPRA (Scottish Plastics & Rubber Association), Plastics Consultancy Network and Sustainable Plastics publication, all of whom are represented on the judging panel.
Table bookings for the gala dinner and awards ceremony are now available. Tickets include a champagne reception, four course dinner with wine, awards presentation and after-dinner entertainment. Companies and organisations booking a table also receive a listing on the Plastics Industry Awards website for the two-day hybrid event.
Entries for the awards via the website www.plasticsawards.com close on 14th June.
Plastics Industry Awards 2021 Categories:
Apprentice or Trainee Award
Best Business Initiative
Best Consumer Product Design – International
Best Environmental or Energy Efficiency Initiative
Best Industrial Product Design – International
Best Recycled Plastic Product
Best Technology Application
Best Training & Development Programme
Materials Innovation Award
Processor Award
Supplier Partnership – Ancillary Machinery
Supplier Partnership – Prime Machinery
Supplier Partnership – Toolmaker
COVID-19 Business Hero Award
Young Designer Award
Unsung Hero