NEWS AWARDS ENTRIES OPEN E


ntries have opened for this year’s Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards, with manufacturing and engineering employers across West Yorkshire being encouraged to put forward their most promising young talent at a time when a new generation is helping to redefine the industry’s image. Now in their fifth year, the awards, which take place in June, recognise


apprentices, rising stars and future leaders in manufacturing and engineering, while also highlighting the employers that are creating opportunities for young people to build long-term careers in the sector. Organisers say this year’s awards come as increasing numbers of young people are choosing manufacturing pathways that offer variety, progression and hands-on experience, challenging outdated perceptions of the industry. Ben Wilson, managing director of MPM Group and spokesperson for the festival, said: “What we’re seeing across the sector is a new generation coming through with a completely different view of manufacturing. They are embracing the opportunities to develop skills, work with new technologies and build a career. “The awards are about recognising that talent and making it visible. When you showcase the people behind the industry, it helps change perceptions and encourages others to follow.” Among those already benefiting from that recognition are last year’s young


award winners.


Eesa Mahmood an apprentice fabricator and welder at prefabricated pipework manufacturer Waites Mechanical Services, scooped last year’s Apprentice of the Year Award. “Winning the award gave me a real confidence boost and made me realise how much I’ve progressed,” said Eesa. Kiera Barrass, an engineering operative apprentice at Leeds Welding Company, who was a winner in the Rising Stars category, added: “The award win has helped me gain the confidence to believe that I can make a good life for myself in engineering.” Award categories include Apprentice of the Year, Rising Star, Future Manufacturing Leader, Mentor of the Year, Graduate of the Year, SME and Employer of the Year, alongside a Manufacturing Ambassador Award. Each award will be presented by a sponsor, with the Manufacturing Ambassador accolade awarded to the person judged to have done most over the last 12 months to promote and raise the profile of the manufacturing sector. The awards form part of the wider Leeds Manufacturing Festival and will take place at Leeds Beckett University on 4 June, with nominations open until 17 May. www.leedsmanufacturingfestival.co.uk


MULTICRUSHER SOLVES LONG-STANDING HEADACHE


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Börger Multicrusher has solved a long-standing headache at a Wastewater Treatment Plant’s (WWTP) septage facility, which was experiencing all too frequent blockages in its grid system.


The WWTP, which receives large volumes of septage, brought in by tankers from areas that are not connected to the main sewer system, had seen maintenance costs rise dramatically for its grid separation system. Likewise, the final disposal cost for solids and fibres had also increased to an untenable point. With the new Börger Multicrusher, the WWTP has been able to chop solids as soon as the wastewater enters the system. And by chopping the solids, a higher gas yield has been achieved in the site’s anaerobic digesters, as well as having an overall positive biological impact. Due to space restrictions at the facility, the Multicrusher had to be very compact. It was deemed best for easy maintenance to run the Börger unit with a helical bevel geared motor (with direct coupling). The Multicrusher was also fitted with a stone trap, and to avoid any heavy solids from blocking the chopper, the Multicrusher has reversing control. www.boerger.com


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APRIL 2026 | PROCESS & CONTROL ENGINEERING 5


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