Rixonway Kitchens, one of the leading manufacturers working in affordable and social housing, has been named Manufacturer of the Year at a prestigious national awards programme.

The accolade was presented by Wates Living Space, one of the UK’s leading affordable housing contractors and a division of the family owned Wates Group, at its inaugural Supply Chain Awards. The initiative recognises Wates’ principal UK supplier’s tireless efforts taken to help it provide housing clients with best value during times of economic turbulence.

Rixonway has recently hit the impressive milestone of producing its five millionth kitchen unit, an achievement made possible by significant capital investment in its machinery and the expansion of its manufacturing facility. The company delivers in excess of 12,000 rigid units a week from its hi-tech, 175,000sq ft plant at Dewsbury in West Yorkshire.

Rixonway’s Sales and Marketing Director, David Anderson, said: “We have a record of consistently introducing innovations and improving our service provision and are able to offer our clients seven to 11 day delivery on orders. Further, we now have an ‘on-time in-full’ delivery record of 98 percent of which we’re incredibly proud. This award is recognition of that commitment.”

The 450-strong company has continued to defy the downturn seeing revenues increase by 23% in 2009/10 to £28.8m and recording an EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) of £5.1m.

Dave Oates, Supply Chain Director for Wates Living Space, commented: “The awards initiative was largely motivated by our desire to further integrate our suppliers into Wates and for them to see themselves as an extension of our business. We want our whole supply chain to see how appreciative we are of the commitment provided to us and the effort taken to go that extra mile for our clients.”

The awards were presented at a ceremony at the Motorcycle Museum in Coventry. Over 45 companies attended the awards ceremony, which also raised over £3,500 for Wates’ nominated charity, Shelter.

Rixonway shares Wates commitment to combating homelessness and last year donated a large family kitchen to the Harrogate Homeless Project which provides accommodation for single adults supporting them in finding permanent and stable residences.