Hybrid Air Vehicles wins prestigious national business award
Above: (left to right) Nick Hussey, Managing Director, The Manufacturer and Chris Daniels, Head of Partnerships and Communications, Hybrid Air Vehicles.
The company, which employs 35 staff, walked away with gold at the EEF/Aldermore Future Manufacturing Awards, held in London last week. The annual awards are designed to showcase the depth of talent and achievement in the UK’s thriving manufacturing sector.
Hybrid Air Vehicles was the joint winner of the Smart Product Award, which recognises the achievements of manufacturers who have successfully designed and delivered a new product that has driven innovation and provided a competitive edge.
Hybrid Air Vehicles was selected by a panel of judges drawn from business leaders, industry experts and academics and was up against tough competition from a range of dynamic businesses, small and large, from across the UK. The company won the award jointly with Advanced Insulation, a Gloucester-based technical and insulation materials manufacturer.
Hybrid Air Vehicles impressed the judges not only with its end-product, but with the commitment, attention-to-detail and determination demonstrated throughout the process of bringing to market. Their innovative new technology, which is still evolving, has the potential to revolutionise and overcome transport challenges in hard-to-reach places on the planet. The judges said they would like to hear from Hybrid Air Vehicles again next year to see how their product develops even more.
Winning this prestigious award, in the middle of a highly successful crowdfunding campaign, is of huge impact for Hybrid Air Vehicles. The Crowdfunding campaign has already raised over £1.2 million towards a £2 million target, and is the largest ever UK crowdfunding campaign from the manufacturing or engineering sector.
HAV's Smart Product, Airlander, is also at the centre of their growing STEM Outreach Programme to local schools and colleges, and is the theme for the 2015 Schools Aerospace Challenge Competition.
Hybrid Air Vehicles CEO, Steve McGlennan said: “The Smart Product Award reflects our remarkable achievements, won through unyielding entrepreneurial determination and strong private sector backing. Further funding through Crowdcube is happening now and this, together with government grants, will allow us to get to first flight quickly and we’re hiring engineers right now to make that happen. The UK Government is firmly behind us developing this technology further.”
Mark Stephens, Deputy CEO of Aldermore, says: “Despite its value to the UK economy, manufacturing is an unsung hero. These awards go some way towards shining a light on the dedication, commitment and innovation going on each and every day in this dynamic and exciting sector. Companies that bring innovative new products to market drive growth and success, and Hybrid Air Vehicles has to be applauded for winning this national award.”
