IPC Mouldings and Bradfor Inducted into Manufacturing Hall of Fame

IPC Mouldings and Bradfor Inducted into Manufacturing Hall of Fame

Aerospace supply chain partners IPC Mouldings and Bradfor Ltd have been honored for their significant contributions to the aerospace sector at the Manufacturing Northern Ireland Hall of Fame Awards held in Belfast. Established in 2022, the awards recognize individuals and companies that have made substantial and sustainable advancements within Northern Ireland’s manufacturing industry.

Celebrating Excellence in Aerospace Manufacturing

Bradfor Ltd, headquartered in Rostrevor, is a prominent textiles manufacturer specializing in products such as seat covers and life vest pouches. The company secured UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Part 21G accreditation in 2021, allowing it to work directly with airlines and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations. Patricia Clements, Managing Director of Bradfor, expressed her appreciation for the recognition, emphasizing the dedication of her team and the company’s achievements in both aerospace and medical seating industries. She highlighted the rewarding nature of their work and the global reach of their textile solutions.

Similarly, Carrickfergus-based IPC Mouldings was inducted for its expertise in technical plastic components and engineered assemblies. The company’s services encompass mold tool design, injection molding, and high-level assembly of products such as video bezels, latches, armrests, and endbays made from fire-resistant polymers. Managing Director Joanne Little described the induction as a significant honor for the SME, attributing their success to a strong commitment to quality, customer alignment, and trusted partnerships. She acknowledged the support of her team and partners and expressed motivation to continue advancing manufacturing excellence through collaboration.

Impact on the Manufacturing Sector

The induction of IPC Mouldings and Bradfor Ltd into the Hall of Fame underscores their expertise and dedication, setting a high standard for the wider manufacturing industry. Their achievements are anticipated to encourage competitors to elevate their own quality and innovation efforts, potentially increasing scrutiny and driving investment in manufacturing excellence initiatives. This dynamic may accelerate innovation and process improvements across the sector as companies strive to maintain competitiveness.

In addition to the two companies, Brian McConville CBE, chair of MJM Group/Rathbane Group in Newry, was also inducted this year. The awards ceremony took place at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast, following the Anchor High Leadership Summit, which convened over 150 senior and aspiring manufacturing leaders to conclude Manufacturing Month 2025, an annual event held each May.

Stephen Kelly, CEO of Manufacturing NI, remarked on the occasion, stating, “There is no better way to bring the curtain down on another successful Manufacturing Month than by honoring the giants of industry who continue to pave the way today. Patricia, Joanne, and Brian are all familiar faces to those of us in the industry who have had outsized and outstanding impacts in their relevant sectors, their local economies and further afield.”