The Made in Scotland Awards have launched for 2023, and we’re looking for nominations that show the very best of Scottish innovation.

The awards are being held in partnership with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, and will take place at the Glasgow Science Centre on 18 May.

Nominations are open – so if you know an individual or organisation dedicated to innovation, there’s plenty of time to submit an entry at insidermadeinscotland.co.uk. Nominations close on 27 March.

The awards are a chance for trailblazers across Scotland to demonstrate their commitment to pushing the envelope – their willingness to be daring and produce unique, cutting edge work. As we live in a world with an ever-increasing number of products and services vying for our attention, the ability to make bold ideas a reality is key to a business’ capacity to stand out and succeed.

Food and drink, manufacturing, sustainability, engineering – these industries and more all rely on inventive new ideas, and we want to celebrate the contribution that such trailblazers make not just to the success of their own organisations but to the entire country.

There’s a variety of categories that can be entered – representing accomplishments in a range of industries.

Last year’s winners included Alpha Solway, which took home the award for Manufacturer of the Year thanks to its innovative work in PPE production; Roslin Technologies, which won Innovator of the Year for its work in sustainable agriculture and cultivated meat production; and Emergency One UK, which took home the Net Zero and overall Made in Scotland award.

If you think that you know of a person or organisation whose name belongs alongside these illustrious winners – who has demonstrated a real spirit of innovation – we want to hear about it.

The full list of categories is as follows:

Best New Product

This award is for a new product designed and/or manufactured in Scotland and put on the market between November 2021 and December 2022, which has the potential to drive significant new sales.

Engineering/Technology Company of the Year

For a Scottish-based engineering/technology company involved in the manufacturing supply chain which demonstrated its ability to innovate and make an impact in the market it operates in during 2022.

Food and Drink Company of the Year

For a Scottish-based food and drink company that has made significant progress in 2022. The judges will be looking for examples of innovation in the manufacturing processes, improving profitability, as well as product development, marketing and sales performance.

Innovator of the Year

For a Scottish-based business operating in the manufacturing sector/wider supply chain, which innovated its production process to achieve a measurable effect on the bottom line in 2022.

Life Sciences Company of the Year

For a Scottish-based life sciences company which demonstrated its ability to innovate and make an impact in the market in 2022.

Manufacturer of the Year

For the most outstanding business in the Scottish manufacturing supply chain, regardless of industry, which demonstrates innovation, a commitment to excellence, sales growth and increased profitability between November 2020 and December 2022.

Manufacturing Start-up of the Year **NEW FOR 2023**

This award is open to Scottish-based start-up businesses operating for under two years in the manufacturing sector/wider supply chain. Judges will be looking for start-up’s that have identified and exploited a market opportunity while building a solid foundation upon which their business can thrive.

Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year **NEW FOR 2023**

This award will celebrate and recognise an outstanding apprentice employed within the manufacturing sector in Scotland. The judges would like to hear about the impact the apprentice has had on the organisation they work for, and are looking for an apprentice who is able to demonstrate a passion for their chosen apprenticeship and provide evidence of personal self-development and progression.

The Net Zero Award

Recognises an individual, company, product or initiative that has had a positive impact in the drive towards a net zero economy. The judges are looking for evidence of a sustainability or environmental focus through innovation, manufacturing or technological advancements – and something that has scope for future impact.

Made in Scotland Award

All the previous category winners are eligible for this award, which recognises the most outstanding entry overall.