Made For Trade recognised for manufacturing excellence

Made For Trade (MFT) has won the overall Manufacturing Award at the 2022 North East Business Awards grand final; reflecting the company’s growth, investment and manufacturing capabilities.

The award, which takes into account manufacturing excellence, alongside attributes such as design and innovation, quality, efficiency and sales flair, also reflects MFT’s output and its influence in the local region.

Factors such as investment in equipment and people were also said to be carefully considered, as well as sales performance and how the business is looking to set its strategy for the future.

For MFT, which recently achieved ISO9001:2015 certification, that strategy is said to include manufacturing innovation, growth prospects and sales, but also as sustainability, markets served and the continuous development of efficiency and productivity.

MFT, which remains a family business, enjoyed a turnover increase of 31% last year and now operates from three purpose-built fabrication units with more than 250,000ft2. Employing more than 150 operatives, Made for Trade continues to invest in growth, with a quarter of pre-tax profits being put towards new assets, from facilities to new CNC equipment.

The company is targeting turnover of £45-50m turnover through commercial focus and vertical integration and in excess of £1m is earmarked for investment in bespoke machinery and the potential for in-house glass manufacture.