News

Entries have opened for the British Woodworking Federation’s (BWF) Awards, which celebrate the outstanding skills and talent in the woodworking and joinery sector, and the milestone achievements of the past year.

This is the 14th year that the prestigious annual awards have taken place, with seven categories designed to showcase the sector’s best projects, products, processes and people. This includes the new Heritage Project of the Year Award, which will commend the conservation, restoration or renovation of a heritage project.

Helen Hewitt, Chief Executive of the BWF, said: “The BWF Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements and innovation over the past year, as well as recognise the bright stars and talent in the sector.

“This year we’re excited to introduce the new Heritage Project of the Year Award, which recognises the incredible skill and expertise – whether through traditional or modern techniques - that goes into restoring and developing period properties. We felt it was important to recognise this separately, due to the high number of high quality entries we received every year. We’re looking forward to coming together to acknowledge the individuals and companies that push the boundaries of woodworking and joinery.”

Entries for this year’s BWF Awards close at 5pm on Friday 2 September. Those shortlisted will receive a complementary ticket to the BWF Awards Dinner on 25 November, held at the Kimpton Fitzroy London Hotel.

Businesses can nominate themselves or be nominated by a client or supplier. The categories for this year’s Awards, which are free to enter, are as follows:

Woodworking Project of the Year Award – Sponsored by National Timber Group
* Recognises innovation and the very best in design, application and ability in joinery manufacture
* The judges are looking for entries that demonstrate craftsmanship and technical approach to challenging projects.

BWF Apprentice of the Year Award – Sponsored by Lorient
* Celebrates the achievements of apprentices in all woodworking businesses
* The judges are looking for entries that demonstrate how an individual has demonstrated outstanding commitment and achievement by adding value to their place of work.

BWF Rising Star Award
* Recognises an individual whose dedication and hard work has made a real difference to the organisation they work for, or the wider woodworking and joinery manufacturing community
* The award will be judged against the following criteria: Customer Service Innovation and Business Transformation.

Health & Safety Award
* Acknowledges individual or collective effort, which has made a notable difference to the health and safety practices and culture within a business
* The judges are looking for entries that demonstrate a focused outcome and evidences an ongoing commitment to health and safety.

Process and Resource Efficiency Award
* Recognises exceptional projects that have implemented lean processes or specific measures aimed at resource efficiency
* The judges are looking for entries that demonstrate how a solution to a defined problem has added value to both the business and end client.

Innovation in Design Award
* Recognises excellence in technical innovation, design and application in joinery product manufacture
* The judges are looking for entries that demonstrate an innovative approach to design problems and evidence technical ability in their solution.

NEW for 2022: Heritage Project of the Year
* Recognises the very best in design, craftsmanship and technical excellence
* The judges are looking for entries that demonstrate contribution to the conservation, restoration or renovation of a heritage project through the application of traditional or modern woodworking techniques.

To find out about sponsorship opportunities, which are open to members and non-members, contact [email protected]

For further information on the BWF Awards, including entry forms, visit www.bwf.org.uk/awards-2022/.