Member Article

Make It In Great Britain winners crowned

The winners of the Make It In Great Britain competition have been announced as a group of Preston-based BAE apprentices.

BedFleX won the final leg of the challenge, which aimed to find the most innovative pre-market products, processes and concepts in the UK.

The product is an elastic attachment for use by recovering amputees and critical care patients, allowing them to take part in bed-based exercise to aid rehabilitation.

Business Minister Michael Fallon said: “I’d like to congratulate the BedFlex team for their success at winning the Make it in Great Britain Challenge. They have put the skills they gained from their apprenticeships into creating this winning piece of technology.

“The Challenge was launched to seek out some of the most innovative pre-market designs and concepts in modern British manufacturing, of which Bedflex’s unique idea is a great example.

“All of the finalists should be proud of their success at making it to the Make it in Great Britain Exhibition. Over 40,000 people came to see their creations alongside those of some of Britain’s leading manufacturers, which demonstrated that the UK is still a leading manufacturing nation and a hub of creativity.”

Alongside BedFlex, other finalists of the competition included technology for relieving tinnitus sufferers; an eco-friendly alternative to everyday cement that could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%; and a pushchair that can be folded down to a 32 litre-size rucksack.

BAE said: “We are extremely proud and honoured to be announced as the winner of the Make it in Great Britain Challenge, and hope our achievement will help to tackle outdated perceptions of the manufacturing sector by highlighting the innovation taking place in Britain today.

“To see our invention on display at the world-famous Science Museum was a very rewarding experience, and we are delighted to be crowned the overall winner of this national competition – it’s an incredible feeling.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .