R&B Switchgear Group has been shortlisted in three categories at Insider’s Made in the North West Awards 2026, recognising the strength of our manufacturing, engineering and customer collaboration.
The Group has been shortlisted for:
- Collaboration of the Year
- Engineering Manufacturer of the Year
- Manufacturer of the Year (under £25m)
The Made in the North West Awards celebrate the strength of the region’s manufacturing sector, recognising innovative, dynamic and successful organisations and the contribution they make across the North West.
R&B’s inclusion on the shortlist across three categories is a significant achievement. It reflects how far we have come as an organisation, the breadth of our capabilities and, above all, the hard work of our people.
Commenting on the achievement, Max Beswick, Group Managing Director, said:
“Being shortlisted across three categories is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work of our teams and the progress we’ve made as a business. We’re proud of how our engineering and manufacturing capabilities have developed, and we’ll continue building on this by investing in our people and delivering the high standards our customers expect.”
Engineering and manufacturing excellence
Engineering and manufacturing are at the heart of what we do at R&B. From technical knowledge and practical expertise to the way we design and manufacture our products, these disciplines are fundamental to how we operate.
Being shortlisted for Engineering Manufacturer of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year (under £25m) reflects the continued development of our engineering and manufacturing capabilities, processes and technology, helping us work more efficiently, take on complex projects and deliver consistently for our customers.
Commenting on the manufacturing and engineering nominations, Tommy Thornber, Head of Manufacturing, said:
“This nomination is a great reflection of the skill, knowledge and hard work that goes into our manufacturing and engineering every day. Developments such as investing in new technology, improving our manufacturing processes and strengthening our in-house capabilities have helped us become more efficient and take on increasingly complex projects. The continued growth of the department, while maintaining a strong focus on quality and developing our people, is something I’m particularly proud of. It’s good to see the team’s efforts recognised and shows the progress we continue to make within manufacturing.”
Customer collaboration
Our Collaboration of the Year shortlisting recognises a strategic partnership with a major UK customer. It reflects how we have worked closely with the customer and wider project partners, bringing together different skills and experience to develop tailored solutions and successfully deliver within a complex operational environment.
Reflecting on the Collaboration of the Year nomination, Sophie Gudgeon, Group Operations Director, commented:
“Good collaboration comes down to strong communication and everyone understanding the part they play. Across R&B, our teams bring different skills and experience together to find the right solutions and keep things moving. That collaboration also extends beyond our own teams, through the relationships we build with customers, suppliers and partners. From an operations perspective, working well together both internally and externally is key to delivering successful projects and the best possible outcomes for our customers. Being shortlisted for Collaboration of the Year is a great acknowledgement of that approach and the relationships we’ve built along the way.”
We are incredibly proud of everyone whose commitment and hard work have contributed to this achievement. We look forward to celebrating alongside the other shortlisted organisations at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool on 1 October 2026.