The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has announced that it has received a record number of 82 entries for its Excellence Awards 2011, an event which is already being billed as the "Print Industry Night of the Year".

Since the announcement of the launch of the Excellence Awards earlier this year there has been overwhelming demand and interest from companies to enter and attend this showpiece occasion, which will see 14 best performance in Industry Awards presented to the winning companies.

With the industry's finest having put themselves forward for the glittering awards ceremony, which will be celebrated at a black-tie event at "The Coolest Club in London" - The Café de Paris, The Excellence Awards look certainly set to be a "night to remember".

It seems like all of the industry wants to be at this "must attend" event and ticket demand has been so great that just a limited number of places are still available for the gala evening. Companies that have yet to reserve their places are advised to do so – fast!

Guest celebrity host for the evening is stand-up comedian and TV personality Mark Steel, who has appeared on TV shows such as Have I Got News for You, QI and Room 101. He has also had his own radio series, "The Mark Steel Solution". A former regular guest on Radio 4's Loose Ends, Mark is also a renowned writer and author, having produced his novel "Vive le Revolution" as well as weekly columns for The Guardian, Independent and Socialist Worker newspapers.

Revamped and now presented solely by the BPIF, all the categories in the Excellence Awards have been aligned with the BPIF's numerous products and services. The Excellence Awards will reward and showcase the most innovative and creative companies across the print media spectrum. The awards categories range from: Human Resources; the Environment; Health and Safety; Lean Manufacturing and Innovation. There will also be awards for both Training and Development and Apprentice of the Year, along with a Company of the Year Award, which is open to BPIF members exclusively.

The Excellence Awards will take place at the Cafe de Paris in London on 15 June 2011. Judging is currently underway and the final shortlist is confirmed below. The judging panel comprises of both internal and external judges.

BPIF Excellence Awards 2011 Shortlist  

Human Resources (over £5m turnover and less than £5m turnover)
Communisis, Inspirepac Ltd, Kalamazoo Secure Solutions, Kingfisher.
 
Health and Safety
AGI World, BGP Ltd, Communisis, TJ International Ltd.

Environment (over £5m annual t/o and up to £5m annual t/o)
Cambrian Printers Ltd, Communisis, Making Impressions, Newsprinters Eurocentral, Park Communications Ltd, Park Lane Press, The Westdale Press Ltd, TJ International.
 
Innovation
Innovative Output Solutions, Lightning Source, Precision Printing, Ryedale Group.
 
Marketing
GI Direct, Jade Press Ltd, Real Digital International Ltd.

Lean Manufacturing
Eclipse Colour, Loxleys Print Limited, Newsprinters Broxbourne.
 
Customer Service
J&G Environmental Ltd, Park Communications Limited, Pindar.
 
Training and Development
Halstan, Inspirepac.
 
Apprentice Awards
Amey Herefordshire – Thomas Hancock
Bristol City Council – Kirsty Cox
Limetree Offset – Joe Goff
Wigan Council – Dominic Webster