SPONSORED BY WILTON CENTRE
INNOVATION AWARD
FINALIST ALT LABS
Innovator - Steve Duffield of category sponsor Wilton Centre presented the Innovation Award to Stuff4Life Workwear founder John Twitchen .
WINNER
STUFF4LIFE WORKWEAR
The winner of two categories at the Tees Business Awards says it ’ s time for firms to challenge themselves on the materials they use .
Stuff4Life Workwear picked up the Green Innovation and Innovation awards at the ceremony for its patent-pending technique of recycling polyester .
And the firm ’ s founder and director , John Twitchen , said he was particularly delighted to have also won an award for general , rather than just green , innovation .
He said : “ Green innovation is very important but to win mainstream innovation feels even more so .
“ We ’ ve got to normalise this – we ’ ve got to make it normal for organisations to challenge themselves on their supply chain and materials they use .
“ By that , I mean not just the energy , not just the offsets , not just offshoring , but getting to grips with the materials they ’ re using .”
And referencing the methods used by Stuff4Life , Mr Twitchen added : “ It ’ s A-level chemistry and a bit more maybe – it ’ s not hugely complicated . The complicated bit is changing the ways people have operated for lifetimes and challenging themselves .
“ Rather than just being about ‘ cost , cost , cost ’ it ’ s about value – what is the value proposition , what ’ s the whole-life cost of a product or process , what ’ s the impact of the outcome and what ’ s left behind ? Once you get to grips with all of that and internalise some of the external costs , and make a business plan , you can do it .
“ Yes , it costs , but where ’ s the value in your cost ? That ’ s the challenge – you ’ ve got to wake up in the morning and have a word with yourself and say , ‘ There are a few more important things out there than simply cost ’.”
SPONSOR ’ S REFLECTIONS :
Steve Duffield , site director , Wilton Centre “ The finalists in the Innovation category demonstrated how strong and diverse innovation is within Teesside . The award winners , Stuff4Life , stood out as providing an innovative solution to removing used workwear from landfill or incineration to a future where the materials have multiple uses and longer lifecycles – a real solution to a real problem !”
Tech consultancy Alt Labs champions “ outsidethe-box ” thinking to futureproof innovation , tackling societal challenges across such diverse sectors as transport , technology , policing and products .
Alt Labs ’ imaginative and innovative approach extends to building “ disruptive experiences ” and businesses that not only challenge norms but also resonate with the community . It is also proud of establishing Flok , Teesside ’ s largest co-working space , as a hub for innovation , networking , flexibility and business support .
Beyond the curated workspace , Flok , on Middlesbrough ’ s Albert Road , exemplifies Alt Labs ’ commitment to collaboration , creativity , and growth – a co-working space that symbolises its dedication to shaping a versatile environment where businesses and the community thrive .
FINALIST
FITFACTORY TECHNOLOGY
Providing award-winning software for SMEs in the engineering and manufacturing sector , Stockton-based Fitfactory empowers more than 400 manufacturers to work smarter , achieving lean , agile and highly productive operations with modular scalable digital technology – an innovative spirit exemplified by the recent launch of its Manufacturing Execution System ( MES ).
Its commitment to sustainability and efficiency is underscored by its leadership role in multiple Innovate UK-funded projects , recognition in various industry awards and strategic partnerships that have secured significant deals .
And with its solutions bringing improved on-time delivery , reduced work-in-progress and increased productivity for its customers , Fitfactory saw continued revenue growth in 2023 .
2023 winner : Ogel
The voice of business in the Tees region | 135