DORSET manufacturers of cosmetics, traffic signals and marine tech were saluted at a major regional awards ceremony.

Poole businesses Lush, Siemens Mobility and Actisense all came away with gold at the South Business Awards of the manufacturers’ group Make UK.

Lush Manufacturing, which employs more than 750 people in the town, won the energy and sustainability category.

The judges said: “They have a holistic approach to sustainability and it really shows.They focused on electrification of energy supplies, reducing energy waste and a commitment to purchasing renewable electricity.”

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Chase Clark, Lush Manufacturing director, said: “Embracing new technologies has allowed us to reduce our impact on the environment and review how we consume energy and deliver our low emission targets.

“The building encapsulates the values and ethics of Lush and receiving this award is recognition for all our teams.”

Actisense, which makes marine sensors at Nuffield Industrial Estate, won gold in the business growth and strategy category after increasing its global reach and exceeding its turnover targets.

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Its chief executive, Phil Whitehurst, said; “To be recognised for our growth and strategy in delivering that growth is a genuine honour. The manufacturing sector in Britain is such a vibrant and essential part of the economy, and to share a platform with so many great businesses is certainly worth celebrating. Our team will be delighted with this.”

Siemens Mobility won the health and safety category as well as being highly commended in the business growth and strategy group.

The UK’s market leader in intelligent traffic systems, based at Sopers Lane, was praised for having health and safety at the heart of its operations.

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The judges said: “Siemens Mobility introduced a daily management walk-around which placed safety as the first and top priority at every station, every day.”

Wilke Reints, managing director of Siemens Mobility’s Intelligent Traffic Systems business in the UK, said: “We’re extremely proud to be recognised at this year’s Regional Manufacturing Awards for our commitment to health and safety and business growth. We put the health and safety of our people at the forefront of everything we do and it’s fantastic to be recognised across the manufacturing industry. It’s great to see other businesses in the Poole area being awarded also, further demonstrating the outstanding contribution local businesses are making to the economy and industry.”

Wimborne-based Superior Seals was runner-u p in the category.

Jim Davison, region director for Make UK in the south, said: “These awards are a testament to the dynamic companies and individuals working within engineering and manufacturing. The sector has been at the heart of delivering during the crisis and as we re-build our economy there will be a bright future for companies and individuals that make the most of their talent.”

All the regional winners will go forward to the national finals.