manufacturers are being urged to enter their “Oscars”.

The quest to find the UK’s best manufacturing businesses has begun and local companies are being encouraged to enter the Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2009 (MX 2009).

Companies are being encouraged to demonstrate their talents and take advantage of a free opportunity to benchmark their business against the best.

The BERR Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) in partnership with organisers, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), wants to ensure businesses step forward and make use of the free impartial advice from industry experts on offer to entrants.

Adam Buckley of MAS North West, said: “By entering MX, each business will receive excellent feedback on how they are performing against the best in their sector.”

The application deadline is January 29 209. Companies can enter via the MX2009 website: www.mxawards.org