Lancashire-based MGS Technical Plastics is marking a series of achievements in 2025, securing finalist status in seven industry awards.
This follows a positive first quarter, with the Blackburn manufacturer landing several new moulding and tooling contracts and strengthening its position in sustainable innovation and business growth.
MGS’s recognition in both the MakeUK and Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA) awards highlights the company’s impact across the North West and the wider UK manufacturing sector. The MakeUK shortlists include MGS as a finalist in four categories: Business Growth and Strategy, Energy and Sustainability, Manufacturing Impact, and SME of the Region. Additionally, the NAA has nominated the company for Digital Transformation, Manufacturing Excellence, and Environmental and Sustainability.
Managing Director Judson Smythe attributes these nominations to the company’s focused, customer-oriented business strategy and its continuing investment in innovation and people. “Each nomination reflects our commitment to sustainable growth and our team’s ongoing efforts in quality and efficiency,” Smythe said. “We’re pleased to be recognised for our commercial results and our ongoing work to reduce environmental impact.”
Founded over 50 years ago, MGS has demonstrated steady growth by pursuing reinvestment, coordinated leadership, and agile business practices. The company’s recent sustainability initiatives have produced notable results: in the past three years, MGS has replaced 16% of its machinery with all-electric models and installed solar panels that now provide 15% of its annual energy needs. These steps have collectively reduced energy consumption by over 28%, while turnover increased by more than £1.4 million, enabling the company to manufacture approximately 450,000 additional components while using less energy overall.
All energy used at the Blackburn facility is sourced either from on-site solar panels or through Urban Chain, a renewable energy provider. MGS’s approach includes helping customers transition to bio-based materials, with award judges noting the company’s application of intumescent materials designed to help prevent fire spread in domestic and industrial applications.
Commercially, the first half of 2025 saw MGS secure six new projects worth over £2 million, including contracts in the construction, renewables, and infrastructure sectors. Marketing initiatives have also shown results, with website traffic increasing by 43% in two months and a quotation-to-order conversion rate reaching 9.8% in Q1.
As MGS awaits the outcomes of the Northern Automotive Alliance and MakeUK awards later this year, the business continues to develop its position in sustainable and innovative manufacturing within the region.