Manufacturing Rising Star

The Manufacturing Rising Star category recognises outstanding BASA members working in technical, operational and manufacturing‑focused roles within the adhesives and sealants industry. It celebrates individuals who are still early in their careers but are already making a measurable contribution to product quality, process efficiency, safety, innovation or customer outcomes.

This category shines a light on hands‑on professionals whose technical knowledge, problem‑solving skills and commitment to learning are helping to strengthen manufacturing performance today and build capability for the future.

Who should enter?

You should consider applying if you:

• Work in manufacturing, production, quality control, formulation, R&D or technical service
• Are not in a senior leadership or management role
• Have made a clear technical or process contribution in the last 12–18 months
• Are developing your skills, confidence and industry knowledge at pace
• Enjoy solving problems and improving how things are made, tested or delivered

This category is ideal for technicians, engineers, chemists, analysts, production specialists and early‑career technical professionals who may not always be visible outside their immediate teams but whose work makes a real difference.

What the judges are looking for

Your entry will focus on:

• Your role and technical responsibilities, providing context for your work
• A specific technical or manufacturing contribution that led to improvement
• An example of problem‑solving or initiative, showing how you approach challenges
• Your technical development and learning, including new skills, methods or knowledge
• Your future potential and how you see your career developing in the industry

Judges are particularly interested in practical examples — how you applied your knowledge, what changed as a result, and what you learned from the experience.

How to prepare your entry

Before completing the application, it may help to:

• Identify one strong example where your work improved quality, efficiency, safety or performance
• Reflect on a technical challenge you helped to resolve and your role in the solution
• Note any training, new equipment, formulations, standards or regulations you’ve learned
• Think about your long‑term interests and ambitions within adhesives and sealants manufacturing

You do not need to be an expert in every area — this category recognises progress, potential and impact. Clear explanations and honest reflection are more valuable than technical jargon.