A KEIGHLEY company has won a prestigious regional award.

NSF Controls has been named SME of the Region in the Make UK Manufacturing Awards.

The company, based at Ingrow Bridge Works, now goes forward to national finals to be held in London early next year.

Achievements of firms from across Yorkshire, the north-east and Humberside were celebrated at the regional event, in Harrogate.

A spokesperson for Make UK – which represents 20,000 companies, from start-ups to multi-nationals – said: “NSF was presented with the award in recognition of the significant transformation of its business model over the last few years, going from a company almost out of business to having prestigious and wide-ranging customers – from NASA to a Yorkshire firm that makes jukeboxes.

“Manufacturing solenoids and switches for the defence, nuclear and aerospace sectors, NSF has effected a transformation not just in its business model and customer base but primarily through the investment in its workforce, which meant that by 2024 the company was growing by 10 per cent a year.”

Sarah Smith-Birch, chief executive officer of NSF Controls, added: “This fantastic award validates the hard work and belief in NSF of our entire team.

“Thank you to Make UK for this recognition, which is an immense boost in these often challenging times.”

Dawn Huntrod, regional director for Make UK in the north, said: “These awards are a testament to the dynamic companies and individuals working within engineering and manufacturing.

“The sector remains at the heart of creating wealth in Yorkshire, and as we grow our economy there will be a bright future for companies and individuals that make the most of their talent.”

What is NSF Controls?

NSF Controls’ solenoids are acclaimed worldwide and are deployed in a wide range of applications – including electrical and nuclear infrastructure, factory automation, defence and aerospace, transport and logistics – and can be found in products from dog collars to candy floss makers.

The company entered talks earlier this year with American space agency NASA regarding the development of a solenoid for an X-ray gun.

The device would be used as part of exploration on lesser-known parts of the Moon.

Keighley MP Robbie Moore visited the firm in the spring to officially unveil a new state-of-the-art Computer Numerical Control – or CNC – machine.

Using pre-programmed software, the equipment automates the operation of machine tools – which allows for precise and repeatable manufacturing processes.

And last month, NSF Controls won the coveted Manufacturing/Engineering Business of the Year accolade at the Keighley & Airedale Business Awards.