THE stars of North-East business have been rewarded with honours.

The EEF/Aldermore Future Manufacturing Awards highlighted companies, bosses and workers in the region.

Among the winners was Mike Matthews, managing director and European operations manager at car parts maker Nifco UK, who was named manufacturing champion.

Mr Matthews, who is overseeing Nifco’s growth from its bases in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, said: “Manufacturing has been at the core of my professional life for many years, from the work I do at Nifco, to the business organisations I am part of.”

Others to be commended include AKS Ball apprentice James Faulks, and Daniel Taylor, apprentice at Newton Aycliffe’s Arlington Automotive (formerly DPE).

Another North-East businessman was honoured in a separate ceremony.

Geoff Turnbull, chairman and founder of GT Group, in Peterlee, east Durham, was named in The Manufacturer Top 100 report, as one of the most inspirational individuals in UK manufacturing.

Mr Turnbull was praised for growing his business, which makes emission reduction control valves for heavy-duty diesel engines, employs nearly 300 people and has forward orders of £400m.

He said: “It is a huge honour, particularly as those included are nominated by their peers from industry.”

The full list of North-East regional Future Manufacturing Awards are:

William Maughan, Rolls-Royce apprentice: final year apprentice award winner; James Faulks, AKS Ball apprentice: first year apprentice award winner; Daniel Taylor, Arlington Automotive apprentice: final year apprentice award runner-up; Sunny Howd, Stephenson Gobin apprentice: first year apprentice award runner-up; Mike Matthews, Nifco UK, manufacturing champion; CMR UK, Wallsend: developing people award winner, health and safety award runner-up; Thermacore Europe, Ashington: business efficiency award joint runner-up; Jigsaw Business Growth, Gateshead: environment efficiency award runner-up.