ATHERTON-based MHA Lighting has scooped a top manufacturing award for its range of LED lighting products.

The firm’s boss has hailed the win as good news for the company but also for the North West’s wider manufacturing sector.

MHA fought off competition from five other finalists, including BAE Systems, to win the manufacturing innovation category in the 2013 Made in the North West Awards ceremony at Ribby Hall near Preston.

Managing director Tom Harrison said: “Winning the manufacturing innovation category truly reflects what MHA Lighting is all about.

“It is a forward-thinking, North West firm which takes pride in creating innovative techniques and products that allow organisations across all sectors to achieve significant energy and efficiency savings.”

Judges were impressed with the way the Station Approach-based firm, which has 40 staff, demonstrated how it has generated a substantial commercial benefit from its lights.

The company makes lighting systems for internal and external applications across a range of sectors including healthcare, retail, leisure, office and education, airports and outdoor, food production and garage forecourts.

Since 2010 the firm has won contracts with customers including The Trafford Centre, Scott Safety, GlaxoSmithKline, the NHS, Birmingham NEC, Greater Manchester Police, Manchester Airport Group, Newcastle Airport, Budgens, Spar, Londis and Chevron-Texaco. Local councils are also among its clients.

Mr Harrison added: “To be recognised as an innovative manufacturer is tribute to the fantastic projects we have completed and exciting new business won over the last 12 months.

“This is down to our award-winning range of products, ever-expanding strategic partner network and highly skilled staff.

“All our lighting is designed, developed and manufactured in this region and these awards were an excellent way of showcasing the inspirational work that is being done by our region’s innovative businesses.”

One of the judges, Chris Maguire, from North West Insider, said: “The judges were really impressed at how MHA Lighting used innovation to make its mark in the lighting sector and win some big name clients.”