DRINKS DISPENSE GROUP SCOOPS TOP NATIONAL AWARD

Chesterfield-based Drinks Dispense Group Ltd (DDg) has scooped a top prize in a prestigious national competition set up to recognise manufacturing companies with pioneering work practices.

The leading drinks dispense equipment manufacturing company has won the Innovation Award in the Best Factory Awards, organised by Works Management magazine in partnership with Cranfield School of Management.

Judges not only praised DDg’s flair for innovation, captured in its designs, they also highlighted its flexible assembly cells, the high percentage of new product launches to total sales and rapid time span from concept to market.      

“We have entered the Best Factory Awards for a number of years as a means of benchmarking our performance, as we believe Cranfield School of Management has developed an excellent and thorough system that helps focus and foster best practice,” said DDg’s Managing Director Jonathan Wildgoose.

“Winning the Innovation Award and being nominated in the Best Small Company category is a great achievement, and well-deserved recognition for the work done by our Project Director Dean Brewin and Operations Director Peter North.

“Over the past year we have designed and delivered a number of innovative projects – including the Musketeer beer engine, Piccadilly font for J.D. Wetherspoon and Icicle font for Hall & Woodhouse.

“Official recognition of our flexible and swift response to our customers’ needs can only contribute to our continuing success in the future.”

Now in their 14th year, the Best Factory Awards are renowned for their rigorous judging procedures, which examine every aspect of operational and manufacturing management performance. This year’s winners were announced and presented with their awards at a ceremony at the London Hilton, Park Lane, on Friday September 29.