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Industrial excellence

2 October 2015

The article at a glance

Bentley Motors wins European Industrial Excellence Awards in competition judged by academics including Dr Jane Davies of Cambridge Judge Business School. Bentley …

Bentley Motors wins European Industrial Excellence Awards in competition judged by academics including Dr Jane Davies of Cambridge Judge Business School.

silver Bentley sign on facade

Bentley Motors of the UK was named champion of the European Industrial Excellence Awards, the first time a British company was named European champion in the award’s 20-year history. Judges included Jane Davies, Senior Faculty in Management Practice and Director of the MBA programme at Cambridge Judge Business School.

The European Excellence Award honours competitiveness in the industrial and service sector, focusing on such factors as strategy, management quality, services and technology development. Bentley had earlier this year been named UK national champion, before competing against other winners from across Europe.

The award to Bentley follows an assessment that included a visit by judges to the automaker’s headquarters in Crewe. Bentley was recognised for a continuous improvement culture and its impact on revenue growth and productivity, as well as the company’s achievement in maximising efficiencies of production.

Bentley exemplifies excellence in both car production and specialist skills,” said Davies. “What is particularly impressive is how Bentley has married the efficiencies of production with high quality craftsmanship, while achieving a step change in improvements in productivity.

Michael Straughan, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing, said: “We’re very proud to receive this award, not only as recognition for our success as a business and the commitment of our valued workforce, but also a celebration for excellence in British manufacturing, something that is often forgotten.”

The judging panel, in addition to Davies, was comprised of leading academics from institutions including WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and INSEAD.