Philtronics Celebrates Double Victory at Make UK Manufacturing Awards 2025 for the Wales Region

November 18, 2025

We are absolutely delighted to announce that Philtronics has won not one, but TWO prestigious regional awards at the Make UK Manufacturing Awards 2025 for Wales! Make UK, who are are a powerful voice for manufacturers, champion UK manufacturing - and it’s drive for innovation, growth, and resilience through their expert support and bold advocacy.


On Thursday 6th November 2025, at the awards dinner held at the Vale Resort, Philtronics was crowned:

  • Developing Future Talent – Wales Winner 2025
  • SME of the Region – Wales Winner 2025


This incredible double win recognises the dedication, innovation and community spirit that every single member of the Philtronics team demonstrates every day.


Developing Future Talent


In a region that has faced significant economic challenges, we set out to build a sustainable pipeline of skilled people while inspiring the next generation to choose careers in manufacturing and engineering.


Through the Philtronics Academy, our apprenticeship partnerships with Merthyr College, Coleg y Cymoedd and the University of South Wales (Network75), digital upskilling of 100% of our workforce, and extensive school outreach, we have:

  • Nurtured 7 apprentices since 2021 (with several winning “Apprentice of the Year”)
  • Fully trained all 85 staff on digital manufacturing tools
  • Engaged over 120 local students through careers events and work experience
  • Supported mental health and wellbeing programmes that have reached almost 2,800 disadvantaged young people


These efforts not only future-proof our business but actively contribute to the economic regeneration of the Heads of the Valleys area we are proud to call home.


SME of the Region


From a 500 sq ft start-up in 2003 to a 25,000 sq ft advanced contract electronics manufacturer today, our journey is one of ambition, resilience and a refusal to accept that high-tech manufacturing can’t thrive in the South Wales Valleys.


The judges recognised:

  • Our strategic £120k investment in digitalisation and workforce capability
  • Achieving a genuine 50/50 gender balance in a traditionally male-dominated sector
  • Receiving the global KLA Distinguished Supplier Special Contribution Award (one of only 12 suppliers worldwide)
  • Our deep-rooted community partnerships that have delivered award-winning wellbeing programmes and life-changing opportunities for local young people


CEO Simon Pritchard commented: “These awards belong to every single person at Philtronics – past and present. We started this company with a simple belief: that world-class manufacturing and genuine social impact can, and should, go hand-in-hand. To be recognised as both the best at developing future talent and the leading SME in Wales is humbling and incredibly motivating.”


CFO Anne Pritchard added:
“We are living proof that investing in people, embracing digital technology and staying rooted in your community creates a winning formula – not just for awards, but for long-term, sustainable success.”


A huge thank you to Make UK, to all our partners (especially Merthyr College, Aspire Shared Apprenticeship Programme, Coleg y Cymoedd, University of South Wales, Action for Children, Ospreys in the Community, Great Days Golf and KLA), and most importantly to the amazing Philtronics team who make everything we do possible.


Here’s to the next chapter – growing stronger, together.

We are beyond excited to now represent Wales in both the Developing Future Talent and SME of the Year categories at the Make UK National Manufacturing Awards Gala on 29th January 2026 at Madame Tussauds, London. We can’t wait to celebrate with the very best of UK manufacturing!


See the full list of Wales winners here:
Make UK Regional Winners – Wales 2025

Read the full story in Business News Wales:
Business News Wales – Make UK Awards 2025 Wales Winners

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As the business grows, Philtronics continues to invest in its people to strengthen leadership, nurture internal talent, and create a culture of continuous improvement through initiatives such as the Philtronics Academy. Philtronics' Training Brief The company recognised the need to further develop its management team to support sustained growth and operational excellence. Many of the organisation’s managers had progressed organically through the ranks, gaining deep product and process expertise over years of hands-on experience. While this practical knowledge was an invaluable asset, Philtronics saw an opportunity to complement it with formal leadership development. The goal was to equip managers with the confidence, tools, and mindset to lead effectively in a fast-moving environment, improving communication, strengthening emotional intelligence, and empowering them to support their own teams’ growth. TSW's Solution To meet this need, Philtronics partnered with TSW Training to deliver the ILM Level 3 in Leadership & Management through the Philtronics Academy. The three-day, face-to-face programme, delivered by TSW, was tailored to Philtronics’ management team and covered: Team leadership and managing relationships Communication and core management skills Emotional intelligence in leadership Navigating business change and innovation Seven managers participated in the programme, completing three formal assignments that directly applied their learning to live workplace challenges. By embedding the programme within the Philtronics Academy, the company created a dedicated space for leadership growth and reinforced its commitment to developing internal talent. TSW Training also supported Philtronics in securing 50% funding , ensuring the investment remained cost-effective. Return On Investment The Impact The ILM Level 3 Award has had a transformative impact on the management team. Managers, many of whom have long been part of the Philtronics journey, reported greater confidence, enhanced communication skills, and improved collaboration across departments. The programme has: Strengthened teamwork and relationships across the business Improved adaptability to change and innovation Enhanced company culture through emotionally intelligent leadership By combining their existing technical expertise with new leadership capabilities, managers are now better equipped to motivate their teams, delegate effectively, and drive performance. The Outcome By investing in leadership development through the Philtronics Academy, the business has achieved measurable improvements across its management team and wider operations. Managers are more confident in decision-making, better at supporting their teams, and adept at applying emotional intelligence to strengthen workplace relationships. This has led to improved engagement, collaboration, and a more positive organisational culture. The training has also enhanced Philtronics’ ability to adapt to change and drive innovation. Managers are now more proactive in identifying opportunities for process improvements and implementing change initiatives, leading to increased efficiency and resilience. The ILM Level 3 in Leadership & Management has been a transformative investment in Philtronics’ management capability. Building on the deep business knowledge of its people, the programme equipped managers with practical tools to drive team performance, foster collaboration, and lead with confidence. Next Steps The success of the ILM Level 3 programme marks just the beginning. As part of its ongoing people-development strategy, Philtronics has already booked Six Sigma Yellow and Green Belt programmes, as well as HR Skills for Non-HR Managers courses with TSW, continuing its investment in leadership and operational excellence. Through the Philtronics Academy and its partnership with TSW Training, Philtronics is ensuring that its managers and the wider business are equipped for sustained growth, innovation, and long-term success. Testimonials From ​Philtronics Anne Pritchard, CFO of Philtronics, shared: “The training delivered by TSW has had a very positive impact on our team. All participants rated the training 5 out of 5, agreeing that the content was engaging and directly applicable to their roles. Their learning was significantly enhanced by the trainer's extensive knowledge and the real-world experiences shared throughout the course.” Dan, Quality & NPI Manager, added: “Really enjoyed the tuition from TSW. Clearly the trainer is an individual with a wealth of knowledge and experience that made the course enjoyable and relatable. I would welcome another training opportunity with TSW and with the same instructor.” When asked how they plan to apply their learning, Calum, Engineering Manager, highlighted: “The motivation and team improvement techniques,” underscoring the practical value of the programme for day-to-day leadership.