Shufflebottom takes two manufacturing awards in its 40th anniversary year

Steel-framed building manufacturer Shufflebottom has won Manufacturer of the Year (under £25m) at the Made in Wales Awards 2026, its second manufacturing award this year, the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) said on 9 October.

The Carmarthenshire company, a BCSA member, took the Insider Media award on 1 October. It had already been named Manufacturing Business of the Year at the Carmarthenshire Business Awards in July, according to the trade body.

The Made in Wales result has qualified Shufflebottom as a finalist for the Made in the UK Awards in Manchester in November, the BCSA said. The company said on its own website that the qualification was automatic.

Shufflebottom's directors said: "Every project relies on colleagues across sales, design, detailing, fabrication and transport working together."

The business

Shufflebottom designs, manufactures and supplies bespoke steel-framed buildings for projects across the UK from its manufacturing base in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire, according to the BCSA. Its work covers industrial, commercial, agricultural and equestrian buildings.

The company is marking 40 years since incorporation in 2026. Companies House records show the business was registered as M.W.S. Welding (Llandeilo) Limited from 2 May 1986 until 28 June 1989, and lists it under SIC code 25110, manufacture of metal structures and parts of structures. Its registered office is at Cross Hands Business Park, Cross Hands Industrial Estate, Llanelli.

Shufflebottom describes itself as family-founded and says many employees have worked there for decades, with several families spanning multiple generations.

Business Wales, a Welsh Government site, said the company's turnover exceeded £18m in 2024/25. Ben Thomas, Operations Director, said in the same case study that the business employs more than 80 people locally.

Productivity support

The Welsh Government Innovation Team supported Shufflebottom through its SMART Digital and Productivity Accelerator Service, Business Wales said. The company achieved productivity gains of around 20% following that support, according to the case study.

Mr Thomas told Business Wales that when he first joined the business it was constantly working overtime to reach what was said to be its capacity.

The Carmarthenshire ceremony

Ten members of the Shufflebottom team attended the Carmarthenshire Business Awards ceremony at Parc y Scarlets on Friday 10 July, the company said. Mr Thomas accepted the award with Richard Wigley, Commercial & Technical Director, and Will Garmey, Finance Director.

Mr Thomas said the award was "proof of what can be achieved when great people share a commitment to continuous improvement".

Mr Wigley said separately that reaching 40 years since incorporation was a significant achievement the company was proud of.

The BCSA said the awards recognise the manufacturing business as a whole, with Shufflebottom crediting its technical, production and customer-facing teams. The directors said celebrating both wins made the anniversary year even more memorable.

Shufflebottom will compete as a finalist at the Made in the UK Awards in Manchester in November.