Cranfield School of Management, which runs the event in conjunction with Works Management magazine, nominated the company’s Bardon, Leicestershire plant for the implementation and execution of its 'Lean Sigma' strategy.

As part of a four-year plan, Benson Box adopted what it called the Lean Sigma strategy in January 2010. The model combines the ethos of lean manufacturing with Six Sigma - a business efficiency model.

Last year, as part of the strategy, all workers were invited to take part in internal and external training on the scheme in partnership with nearby Loughborough College.

The strategy ensures that each piece of equipment has its own record book, and operators are set individual production targets.

Benson Box Managing director Mark Kerridge said: "Along with rapid growth and successful expansion it is vital to pay attention to every member of the team and every small part of the manufacturing process."

Operations manager David Midgley attributed the Bardon team’s 20,000sheets/week production load to the implementation of the scheme, which follows steps to improve workflow and eliminate waste by stripping complicated practices back down to simple processes.

At the end of its first year, he said: "We have already seen a double digit improvement in terms of printed sheets on the floor, and that is a key measurement for the overall success of the business."

A team from Cranfield School of Management visited the Bardon site to see the scheme in practice and decided to enter it into the shortlist for awards considering the successful implementation of the scheme at the plant.

Winners will be announced at the Best Factory Awards on 28 September.