Meet the Winners of the Solids Handling Industry Awards 2026
SHAPA hosted it’s Annual General Meeting and Solids Handling Industry awards last week at STEAM Museum in Swindon. Joined by over 100 people from member organisations, the evening set to celebrate the people, products and innovation in the bulk solids handling industry.
With over 40 entries across all ten awards categories, the judges whittled the entries down to a shortlist who were showcased at the event – but as with all awards, there can only be one winner and we’d like to congratulate everyone who walked away with a trophy.
You can read all of the shortlisted entries by downloading our Awards Evening Brochure here.
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Hoverdale UK is a British engineering specialist with over 50 years’ experience in solids handling and bulk materials. Despite 36% year-on-year growth and expansion into 45+ countries, the company has significantly reduced its carbon intensity.
Between 2023 and 2024, carbon intensity fell 21% while revenue rose more than 35%, demonstrating cleaner, more efficient growth. Although total emissions increased modestly due to higher production and global distribution, emissions per £1m revenue declined.
Improvements were driven by energy-efficient equipment upgrades, lean manufacturing, waste reduction, smarter logistics, supplier engagement, and digital process control.
Sustainability is embedded in Hoverdale’s long-term strategy, with commitments to ongoing carbon-intensity reduction and responsible export growth. Its durable, wear-resistant products also help customers cut waste and downtime. Hoverdale demonstrates that UK engineering can expand globally while measurably lowering environmental impact.
INNOVATION IN TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT AWARD
As an independent, employee-owned manufacturer, Russell Finex has grown its workforce by 125% since 2022.
That success has been driven by its people for over 90 years, which is why the business invests heavily in training, development, and wellbeing.
From partnering with schools and colleges to offering work experience and apprenticeships, as well as embracing digital learning, Russell Finex empowers its team for the future of manufacturing as other businesses in the sector become increasingly automated.
It remains proud to be a British-made company where highly skilled employees continue to lead innovation and uphold the quality that leads to decades of success.
INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Woodcock & Wilson Ltd, a UK-based industrial fan manufacturer with over fifty years of engineering excellence, has partnered with the University of Huddersfield to develop a pioneering artificial intelligence platform transforming how technical manufacturers manage knowledge, train employees, and support customers.
Combining knowledge graphs, generative AI, natural language processing, and human-guided reinforcement learning, the system converts decades of complex engineering expertise into a secure, real-time intelligence engine.
Unlike conventional chatbots, it delivers retrieval-based responses grounded in verified company data – ensuring accuracy in technically critical environments. Now supporting active operations across the UK, UAE, Malaysia, and Australia, the platform provides a unified global source of engineering truth, strengthening partner capability while delivering consistent, high-quality support worldwide.
This innovation demonstrates how a specialist manufacturer can responsibly embed advanced AI at the core of its operations – setting a new benchmark for intelligent manufacturing in the air movement sector.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Tom Jones
With previous experience in manufacturing and mechanical engineering design, Tom joined Genesis in 2024 as a Project Manager. When Genesis’ MD relocated overseas, Tom took the role of Operations Manager and in a short time has managed to complete many projects in design and build, he’s implemented ISO9001 and also integrated the use of Citation within the business to assist in development of all staff with regards to training, HR and support.
Genesis we will be moving into a new building this year which is set to double its existing size to enable growth. Tom has been the instigator of this and is currently handling all of that on top of his existing workload.
EXPORT AWARD
With 195 countries worldwide, Russell Finex delivers advanced sieving and filtration solutions to over 72% of them, empowering industries globally. Their success is driven by a strong export strategy and significant investment in international growth.
With subsidiaries in the USA, Belgium, India, China, Brazil, and Spain soon to follow, Russell Finex have strengthened their global footprint to meet rising demand. Recent expansions include new facilities in Belgium and Brazil, alongside a 25% increase in UK facilities, ensuring they continue to deliver high-quality solutions to over 140 countries.
From overcoming complex export challenges to tailoring solutions for diverse industries, Russell Finex has built strong foundations for sustainable growth. Their commitment to innovation, customer collaboration, and localized support continues to position Russell Finex as the global leader in separation solutions.
INNOVATION IN SAFETY AWARD
Boss Products UK’S VIGIFLAM VI rethinks conventional explosion venting by enabling certified pressure relief in indoor dust processing environments without the need for external ducting.
By integrating high-efficiency vent panels with a stainless steel flame quenching mesh assembly, it safely retains flames, burning particles, and high temperature gases within the device housing.
This approach addresses a long-standing industry challenge: how to provide compliant explosion protection in facilities where vent-to-atmosphere systems are structurally impractical, spatially restrictive, or cost prohibitive.
The result is a compact, engineered solution that expands where explosion protection can be realistically implemented. By removing traditional installation barriers and simplifying compliance, the VIGIFLAM VI represents a practical step change in explosion safety accessibility across the solids handling and processing sector.
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Szymon Olszewski
Szymon is an exceptional apprentice who consistently demonstrates superior technical knowledge, creativity, and adaptability within a specialised engineering environment.
He has effectively worked with multiple controls with technically distinct machines-including a recently introduced US model.
Szymon successfully aligned his performance standards through the development of calibration procedures and the transfer of operational parameters between systems. His ability to interpret and seamlessly integrate multiple controls and machines while maintaining precise operational accuracy, highlights his technical expertise and strong analytical capabilities.
Szymon exemplifies initiative, precision, and innovative problem-solving. He has significantly contributed to the optimisation of equipment used for work holding of complex components, leading to enhanced efficiency and standardisation across the workshop.
PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Hoverdale UK Ltd’s National Improvement Programme for Biffa transformed Biffa’s waste-handling operations nationwide, improving safety, reliability, efficiency, and cost performance. Using laser scanning, 3D modelling, engineering analysis, and asset standardisation, Hoverdale implemented a national emergency and preventive maintenance structure, reducing downtime and extending conveyor life.
The project delivered a 30% reduction in maintenance costs, significant OEE improvements, and safer, more reliable operations.
Advanced materials, redesign of transfer points, and standardised procedures improved durability and environmental performance. Hoverdale also established predictive maintenance, centralised reporting, and 24/7 emergency response, earning the company Biffa’s first Approved Preferred Supplier status.
This programme demonstrates Hoverdale’s technical innovation, national impact, measurable results, safety leadership, and long-term sustainable engineering framework, setting a benchmark for excellence in the waste and recycling sector.
ENGINEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Koray Kayali
Koray has played a defining role in strengthening the UK solids handling sector, combining a solid mechanical engineering background with active industry engagement.
Having built his career as a Project Engineer before stepping into leadership, he brings practical design insight, commissioning experience and regulatory understanding to every project – ensuring solutions are commercially successful, technically sound and safety-driven.
In 2025, he led three major projects across food ingredient distribution, advanced plastics manufacturing and industrial processing, including the deployment of a fully ATEX-compliant Mobile Big Bag Discharge & Truck Loading System with one of the UK & Europe’s largest sugar distribution operations.
UK revenue increased 2.5 times compared to 2024 and fourfold compared to 2023, reflecting structured market development and cross-sector growth.
Koray contributes as a technical speaker at CIS and is active within MHEA, SHAPA and ABTO, helping to strengthen dialogue across the UK solids handling community.
COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARD
Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence: Leading the Way in Dust Safety – this year marks a milestone as Fike celebrated 40 years of operations in the UK.
Since its inception, it has grown from a supplier into a cornerstone of British industry, dedicated to protecting workplaces and enhancing operational efficiency.
Fike’s journey over the last four decades has been defined by its commitment – providing technology and serving as an educational partner for clients.
While it prides itself on supplying the latest products, Fike knows that hardware is only half the battle. True safety comes from understanding. Fike’s mission has always been to:
Guide: Offering consultancy to ensure customers navigate complex dust hazard regulations (such as COSHH and DSEAR) with confidence
Supply: State-of-the-art explosion protection to dust control, and material handling systems tailored to specific industrial needs.
Educate: Hosting workshops and providing resources to help businesses understand the ‘why’ behind safety protocols