BWF announces 2024 Awards shortlist

This year’s British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Awards shortlist has been revealed. 

The Awards celebrate the outstanding skills, talent and achievements of the UK woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry.

Helen Hewitt, Chief Executive of the BWF, commented: “As the BWF Awards enter their sixteenth year, I’m pleased to share that we’ve seen a record-breaking number of award entries – clearly demonstrating the wide range of skills, expertise and passion within our talented sector.

“It’s also exciting to see the enthusiasm for our new BWF Sustainability Award; where for the first time we’re shining a spotlight on the woodworking and joinery businesses who are committed to reducing their carbon emissions or improving their energy efficiency through innovative new processes. 

“The BWF Awards give us a welcome opportunity to celebrate the projects, successes and brilliant individuals within our profession. I’m looking forward to a fantastic evening recognising the achievements from across the woodworking and joinery sector.”

The winners will be announced at the BWF Annual Awards in the prestigious London hotel, The Langham, on Friday the 22^nd of November.

More information about the awards can be found on the BWF website here. The full shortlist for this year’s award is as follows:

BWF Health and Safety Award – Sponsored by NFU Mutual

• Heron Joinery – For their Continuous Improvement Project aimed at enhancing health and safety protocols whilst demonstrating a strong commitment to creating a safer working environment for all employees.
  
• JELD-WEN – For their development of a Radio Frequency Tag System, using AI technology to protect pedestrians from moving industrial vehicles.
  
• Heron Fire Doors – For their transition from manual handling to mechanised solutions to improve workplace safety.
  

BWF Apprentice of the Year Award – Sponsored by CITB

• Lilli-Mae Broadhurst – Gowercroft Joinery
  Lilli- Mae’s employer said: “Lilli-Mae is a very fast learner and her hunger for knowledge, and ambition to get on was soon apparent. Her fast promotion at Gowercroft has been down to hard graft, determination, and willingness to take the initiative.”
  
• Harrison Ward – James Wilding Joinery
  Harrison’s employer said: “Harrison has grown into an exceptionally talented young man. He continually goes above and beyond in all tasks he is presented with and works in an extremely professional manner. As a company, we welcome ideas from all levels and areas of the business, from the apprentice right up to the partners.”
  
• Paige Kavanagh – Corbel Conservation
  Paige’s employer said: “Coupled with the practical skills Paige possesses is her determination to do the right thing for the company and her peers. Paige’s drive, passion to learn and enthusiasm to always improve has really stood out.”

BWF Heritage Project of the Year Award – Sponsored by Remmers (UK) Ltd

• Blairs Windows and Doors – For the intricate window restoration project on the Tontine Hotel – an A Listed Building.
  
• Precision Made Joinery – For their valuable contribution to the restoration of the Grade 2 Listed property, The Old Rectory, Fornham All Saints, Suffolk.
  
• A R Manley and Son – For using traditional techniques to accurately replicate an authentic Victorian Greenhouse, using modern timbers and paint.
  

BWF Innovation Award – Sponsored by Anker Stuy Coatings Ltd

• Coastal Group – For its Inowa Sliding door system that aims to redefine the standard of sliding door technology within the UK joinery industry by integrating cutting-edge innovation, sustainability, and superior functionality.
  
• Joinerysoft – For their development of JMS Cloud – a cloud-based software solution, specifically designed to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and profitability of any joinery business.

• Heron Fire Doors – For the ongoing development of their cost efficient external door set ‘Herodor’.

BWF Sustainability Award – Sponsored by Mirka 

• Surrey Wood Products – For its commitment to demonstrating lasting and sustainable change in their timber supply.
  
• James Latham – For the development of The James Latham Carbon Calculator, developed to help woodworkers and joiners select materials with greater confidence to meet regulatory, ethical, and aspirational requirements surrounding sustainability.
  
• Gowercroft Joinery – For its commitment to continued improvement within its manufacturing processes, leading to tangible enhancements in sustainability practices and further reductions in the overall environmental impact using Life Cycle Assessments.

BWF Rising Star Award – Sponsored by Accsys Technologies

• Chris Cork – Cubby Construction
  Chris’ employer said: “Chris has shown his willingness to help anyone and everyone especially the customers. He will often do extra hours both in the workshop and on site to ensure the job is complete to the highest standard.”
  
• Tautvydas Bumblys – Heron Joinery
  Tautvydas’ employer said: “At Heron Joinery, we are truly fortunate to have an individual who embodies the values of care, compassion and dedication not only to his colleagues but also to the broader community.”
  
• Joanna Zyser – Heron Fire Doors
  Joanna’s employers said: “Under Joanna, the glazing area of our factory has undergone a complete transformation. Joanna has implemented lean methodology and just in time processes within her area reducing waste and greatly improving efficiency, no small achievement for someone thrown in at the deep end with no experience working within the joinery or fire door industry.”

BWF Woodworking Project of the Year – Sponsored by Impra Wood Protection

• D Foord Joinery – For the elegant, yet technically challenging design and installation of elliptical staircase for a Georgian house using English oak.
  
• R & E Falkingham – For the extensive and complex restoration and enhancement of the striking 1920’s property Uplands, in Beverley.
  
• Precision Made Joinery – For the manufacture of a bespoke suspended staircase in a Grade 2 Listed property, The Old Rectory, Fornham All Saints, Suffolk.

The BWF Awards 2024 will take place at Langham, London Hotel on Friday 22 November 2024.