Brush maker shortlisted for innovation award

A South Tyneside manufacturer has brushed aside conventional thinking to develop an innovative system that could dramatically reduce industrial maintenance costs and downtime.

Hebburn-based Cottam Brush has been shortlisted in the Innovation of the Year category at the Made in Britain Impact Awards 2026 for its patent-pending SPLITGRIP roller brush system.

Founded in Sunderland in 1858, during Queen Victoria’s reign, the sixth-generation family business manufactures industrial brushes for sectors including defence, aerospace, logistics and manufacturing.

The company invested £10,000 and spent 12 months developing SPLITGRIP, a modular system that allows worn brush sections to be replaced individually without removing shafts, bearings, motors or surrounding equipment.

Bosses say the technology could cut maintenance time from days to hours, while reducing costs and material waste.

The idea emerged after a customer approached Cottam seeking a more efficient alternative to conventional roller brushes.

Although the original project did not progress, the manufacturer recognised its potential and continued developing the concept.

Designed to fit existing machinery, SPLITGRIP can accommodate round, square and hexagonal shafts, with potential applications in recycling, quarrying, food processing and conveyor systems.

Nick Palfreyman, head of product and design at Cottam Brush, said: “The real cost of replacing an industrial brush isn't necessarily the brush itself, but the downtime and engineering time involved.

“SPLITGRIP makes maintenance quicker and simpler, getting equipment back into production sooner, while allowing individual worn sections to be replaced rather than the complete assembly.

“To see it shortlisted for Innovation of the Year is fantastic recognition for the team and the work that has gone into developing it.”

Cottam is now competing against eight other businesses for the national innovation award.

Managing director Alan Crook added: “We believe it will open significant opportunities for Cottam in the UK and overseas, so being shortlisted for a Made in Britain Impact Award is a real endorsement of what we are trying to achieve.

“We have more than 168 years of manufacturing heritage, but our future depends on continuing to innovate and develop products that solve real problems for industry.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.