The Best of British Casting Awards return in 2026, providing an opportunity to celebrate the innovation, expertise and achievements that make the UK casting industry world class.
Every year, foundries and suppliers across the sector deliver remarkable work – developing innovative components, solving complex technical challenges, improving sustainability, investing in people and creating value for customers.
Yet many companies never consider entering an award, often assuming they do not have enough time, do not have a suitable project, or are unlikely to win.
The reality is often very different.
More companies have a story worth telling than they realise
Successful award entries do not have to be based on a breakthrough invention or a multi-million-pound investment programme.
The strongest entries are often those that clearly explain a challenge, describe how it was overcome and demonstrate the positive results achieved. That could be a technically demanding casting, a process improvement, a sustainability initiative, a customer success story or a business innovation that has delivered measurable benefits.
If your company has completed a project that makes you proud, there is a good chance it could form the basis of a strong award submission.
The judges are looking for evidence, not fancy presentation
One of the most common misconceptions is that award entries need to feature professional writing and design presentation.
In reality, judges are primarily interested in understanding what was achieved and why it matters.
The most successful entries typically answer a few straightforward questions:
- What challenge were you trying to address?
- Why was it important?
- What approach did you take?
- What was innovative, different or technically demanding?
- What results were achieved?
- How did the work benefit your customer, business, employees or the wider industry?
Supporting evidence is particularly valuable. Statistics, photographs, drawings, customer feedback, performance improvements and before-and-after comparisons can all help demonstrate the impact of your work.
Think beyond the finished casting
Many companies immediately think of a component when they hear the word “awards”. While outstanding castings remain an important part of the competition, there are also opportunities to showcase wider business achievements.
Innovation, sustainability, operational improvements, skills development, customer collaboration and investment in future capability can all provide the foundation for a compelling entry.
Often the most difficult part is not finding something worthy of entering – it is deciding which success story to choose.
Start gathering evidence now
One of the easiest ways to improve an award entry is to begin collecting information early.
Photographs taken during a project, production data, customer testimonials, energy savings, quality improvements, cost reductions or productivity gains can all strengthen a submission and help judges understand the significance of what has been achieved.
Many companies already hold much of this information within project files, quality records, production reports or customer communications.
Showcase the best of your business
The Best of British Casting Awards are more than a competition. They are an opportunity to demonstrate the strength, diversity and innovation of the UK casting industry.
Whether your achievement involves a technically challenging casting, a sustainability initiative, a new process, a customer partnership or a wider business improvement, the awards provide a platform to share that success with peers, customers and the wider manufacturing community.
We encourage all members to review the award categories and consider which of their recent achievements deserve recognition.
Click for category information, advice and guidance, and to download application forms >>
