JRI Orthopaedics Scoops Made in Sheffield Award

20th April 2015

JRI Orthopaedics has won the marquee prize at the 2015 Made in Sheffield Awards.

The awards, which are the premiere celebration of manufacturing excellence in the city region, brought together more than 300 top businesses. JRI was among the big winners at the event, which was held at Cutlers Hall and hosted by broadcast stalwart Krishnan Guru-Murthy with special addresses by James Newman, chairman of the local enterprise partnership, and Master Cutler David Grey. Adam Lovell, the editor of Yorkshire Business Insider, said all the winners and shortlisted businesses were "not only stand-out manufacturers in Sheffield, but also the world". He said: "Sheffield has a rich and proud manufacturing heritage, and the world-leading companies operating there today deserve praise for their constant innovation and consistent commitment to quality." Innovation Award Winner: The Floow Manufacturing, the judges recognised, need not be as tangible as holding in your hand a discernible product. While many software developers exist, few actually make the products as the Floow does. This company captures the history and heritage of innovation, expertise and excellence which is being celebrated tonight and takes it to the next level. Being able to capture that past, said the judges, while representing the future, was a characteristic which elevates the Floow above its contemporaries. Sponsored by: Sheffield Hallam University Shortlisted: President Engineering Group, Gripple, The Proving Factory Exporter of the Year Winner: Gripple Gripple, the judges said, perhaps hasn't increased its overall export percentage but it has consistently delivered new and innovative products to sustain an incredible presence in innumerable markets. It was, they recognised, an exemplar exporter by which others should be compared. Sponsored by: Barclays Shortlisted: JRI Orthopaedics LabLogic Systems Investment in People Award Winner: Naylor Industries Naylor's continuing dedication to staff development and engagement caught the eyes of the judges. With more than 350 employees across six different sites, engaging with and empowering staff becomes a significant challenge but not for Naylor. The company has retained the personal touch while growing into a significant and well respected Sheffield manufacturer. Sponsored by: Brewster Pratap Shortlisted: Tata Steel Speciality Steels, Chesterfield Special Cylinders SME Award Winner: Mechan Mechan has more than 40 years' experience in the design, development and manufacture of specialist heavy lifting and handling products. The firm enjoys a reputation for excellence, thanks to the quality, reliability and innovative nature of its equipment, which can be found in some of the most prestigious rail and tram depots in the world. Its impressive client portfolio includes Rolls Royce, BP Chemicals, Siemens, Alstom, Bombardier and Hong Kong's MTR Corporation. Sponsored by: BHP Shortlisted: Hendersons Relish, Chimo Holdings, Cutting Technologies Apprentice of the Year Award Winner: Russell Fox, Eldon Tool & Engineering Fox was described as a credited to the AMRC and Eldon Tools at such a young age he has shown enthusiasm, endeavour and commitment. He is a credit to one of the world's leading advanced manufacturing research centres. Sponsored by: P&A Shortlisted: Amy Flannery, Cooper & Turner; Dominic Green, President Engineering Group; Jacob Hobson, Naylor Industries; Joe Goldthorpe, Gripple; Kirsty Hall, Tata Steel Speciality; Paige Shearwood, Brinsworth Training; Russell Fox, Eldon Tool & Engineering; Sam Hutchinson, President Engineering Group Master Cutler Special Award Winner: Thomas Flinn and Son Thomas Flinn and Son is the last traditional saw manufacturer in the UK. It is also the last hand plane manufacturer and the only musical saw manufacturer.  Its products, sold under the Pax, Clifton Planes and Garlick Saws brands since the 18th century, are shipped worldwide with more than 50 per cent of turnover coming from exports to the US and 45 other countries. Made in Sheffield Award Winner: JRI Orthopaedics JRI has achieved clinical success globally, with more than 200,000 patients benefitting from one of the most clinically successful prostheses available today. A 2007 move to Chapeltown saw product development and innovation come together. The company turned a distribution deal in China in a sub-contracting agreement truly selling the Sheffield manufacturing heritage. JRI chose Sheffield and is reaping the benefits and now joins a very small list of manufacturing excellence. Sponsored by: DLA Piper Shortlisted: Mechan, Naylor Industries, President Engineering Group