The plant has been shortlisted in the Customer Focus and Sustainable Manufacturing categories and will be visited by assessors and moderators today (27 September).

Colin Brown, director of engineering at the IMechE, said: "Agfa Graphics is a fantastic business that is helping to ensure manufacturing remains at the heart of the Leeds economy.

"We hope this can inspire more local manufacturers to take part and benefit from the Manufacturing Excellence programme."

Manufacturing Excellence is the IMechE's manufacturing support programme, which provides a detailed benchmarking and assessment process to help improve manufacturing businesses.

Companies taking part in the programme are asked to conduct an in-depth self-assessment and those who complete one or more of the eight parts receive a free, bespoke and confidential benchmarking report.

The best companies in each module receive a free visit from a team of expert assessors who verify the audit responses and offer practical advice and suggestions for the business.

The winning companies in each category will receive an award at the Manufacturing Excellence Award Ceremony at the Dorchester in London on 23 November.