Gray & Adams reaches finals in Make UK Manufacturing Awards

Gray & Adams has been selected as a finalist in the Make UK Manufacturing Awards in the Developing Young Talent category.

The Make UK Awards celebrate manufacturing excellence and its previous winners include Sony UK, BAE Systems and Kimberly-Clark.

Gray & Adams said this week it is “delighted” to be recognised as a finalist.

The family firm, which manufactures specialist temperature controlled and bespoke trailers and vehicles, employs 750 staff.

It has a head office and main production facility in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire and operational sites in Doncaster, Dunfermline, and Newtownabbey.

The company’s award entry is based on its apprenticeship programme. The majority of the recruits are based at the Fraserburgh headquarters with an intake that takes place each year.

There are 55 apprentices working through their qualifications, which the company said “provides a great sense of community and opportunity for economic stability for the young people in this region of Scotland”.

Gray & Adams will attend the regional finals that will take place on 3 November 2022 before the winners go forward to the national finals held in early 2023.

Joint MD, James Gray, said: “Gray & Adams has always been committed to bringing opportunities to young people throughout our 65 years in business.

“There are a number of engineering and manufacturing disciplines that our apprentices can get involved with and we hope that, once they have successfully passed their particular programme, they will stay with the business for many years, as many of our employees have done before them.

“I fully believe in the importance of our apprenticeship programme. Gray & Adams offers a suitable and invaluable first step on the career ladder, that will provide young men and women with skills and a job for life.

“The apprenticeship programme allows Gray & Adams to futureproof the business and ensure its longevity. I believe that this approach shows Gray & Adams are committed to the future of the industry and young people alike.”

Gray & Adams Doncaster, Dunfermline and Belfast all run similar apprenticeship schemes, with the highest number of young people based at Fraserburgh, which is Gray and Adams's largest site.

Some of the disciplines available include hydraulic, mechanical or refrigeration engineering, joinery, welding, spray painting and coach building.

Joint MD Peter Gray added: “I’m delighted that Gray & Adams has been selected for the award. We are committed to encouraging young people to fulfil their potential and minimise skill gaps in our industry.

“It is great to be recognised for the investment and dedication we put into this alongside larger, blue-chip companies. We are celebrating our 65th anniversary this year, so winning the regional award for Developing Young Talent would round the year off nicely.

“The management team at Gray & Adams would also like to extend their well wishes to the other finalists and we look forward to the awards evening.”