Digital Transformation
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Category Definition & Guidelines
To assist you with this application the judges have provided some guidelines.
When providing your answers, the “For Example”/guidelines we have suggested for each question are not intended to be exhaustive. They are designed as examples and prompts to help you understand the judges’ requirements. It is important that where you state that you have evidence in support of the specific question you are answering, you need to provide that evidence – usually, a generic brochure or company overview is not sufficient.
Download a category information guide here.
Additional Information
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Focus of the category
Digital transformation is a crucial aspect of modern manufacturing, enabling companies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance products and services by using data and analytics to materially change decision-making across the business, rather than through technology deployment alone.
The Digital Transformation Award recognises outstanding achievements in this area by hunter manufacturing firms that have successfully implemented innovative digital solutions.
Each of the listed criteria must be addressed, where relevant, and evidence should be provided in support of information presented.
Photographs, drawings, presentations (in any technological form) etc., may be included as an attachment to the online application form—please label them clearly.
Note - The Hunter Manufacturing Awards seek to celebrate and elevate great hunter manufacturing stories. Four of the HMA categories (Innovation, Capability, Product Design and Digital Transformation) are looking for very similar feeling stories and so, in 2026, HMA provides the following distinction guidance to help candidates understand which category is best to elevate their story:
Applicants may find that their application into this category may also be a 'fit' for another category, such as Manufacturer of the Year, etc. By adapting the information to fit the criteria of other categories you give yourself the opportunity for your product, process, etc. to be profiled in more than one sector.
Please address the following criteria and restrict the content of each response to 300 words or less.
Note: Projects where value is delivered primarily through new equipment, scale, or better execution of existing processes, without a material change in how data-driven decisions are made, are better suited to the Innovation or Capability categories.
Judging criteria & Values
Question 1:
Successful Implementation
Judging Criteria
- Provide a brief description of your digital transformation include the primary goal(s) and the specific technologies that were adopted and which key decisions are now made differently as a result of improved data, visibility or analytics.
- What was the duration of the project from conception to full implementation?
- Note any major challenges which arose in executing the transformation and detail how these were overcome
Value:
15/100
Question 2:
Impact on Operations
Judging Criteria
- How has the transformation impacted day-to-day operations?
- Which operational decisions are now faster, more accurate, or automated as a result of the transformation?
- What quantifiable cost savings have been realised as a result of the digital transformation?
- How has productivity improved since the implementation of digital technologies?
Value:
15/100
Question 3:
Employee Engagement/Enhancement
Judging Criteria
- Describe how employee engagement was achieved before, during and after implementation
- Include, where relevant, an explanation of how the digital transformation enhanced or supported the development of employee / workforce capability
Value:
15/100
Question 4:
Customer Engagement/Value Creation
Judging Criteria
- Describe to what extent customers were engaged in the transformation
- Detail where there has been a noticeable impact to customer value, customer satisfaction and service quality
Value:
20/100
Question 5:
Scalability & Future Scope
Judging Criteria
- Describe how the transformation is to be sustained throughout the organisation
- Detail any elements of scalability (in and outside the applicants business) and future scope for further development
Value:
15/100
Question 6:
Innovation
Judging Criteria
- What are the data, analytics or decision-support innovations which set your digital transformation apart from others in the industry?
- How does your organisation intend to continue to transform following the implementation of this project?
Value:
20/100
Application Guide & tips
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