Cottam Brush Shortlisted for Innovation of the Year at the Made in Britain Impact Awards 2026
We’re delighted to share that Cottam Brush has once again been shortlisted at the Made in Britain Impact Awards, this time in the Innovation of the Year category for our latest product, SPLITGRIP™.
The recognition feels particularly special following our success at the 2024 Impact Awards, where Cottam Brush was named Heritage Manufacturer of the Year. Two years later, it feels fitting to be recognised specifically for innovation.
From heritage to innovation
With a manufacturing history stretching back to 1858, heritage will always be an important part of Cottam Brush. But for us, longevity has never meant standing still. Continuing to listen to our customers, solve real-world problems and develop better ways of doing things has played a huge part in keeping the business moving forward.
SPLITGRIP™ is a great example of that approach.
Developed by our engineering team here in the North East, SPLITGRIP™ is our new patent-pending modular roller brush system, designed to tackle one of the most common challenges associated with industrial roller brushes: the time and disruption involved in maintenance and replacement.
Its split-body design allows individual brush sections to be fitted directly onto an existing shaft, without the need to remove surrounding equipment. Sections can be installed in approximately 60 seconds, helping customers reduce downtime, simplify maintenance and replace only the parts that are worn rather than an entire brush assembly.
A proud moment for the Cottam team
Being shortlisted for Innovation of the Year is fantastic recognition for the team behind SPLITGRIP™, but it also represents something much bigger for us.
From winning Heritage Manufacturer of the Year in 2024 to being shortlisted for Innovation of the Year in 2026, it reflects exactly what we want Cottam Brush to stand for: a British manufacturer that is proud of where it has come from, while always looking at how we can do things better.
The winners will be announced at the Made in Britain Impact Awards on Wednesday 4 November 2026, and we’re looking forward to celebrating alongside some brilliant names from across British manufacturing.
Whatever the result, we’re incredibly proud to see SPLITGRIP™ recognised – and even prouder of the team that has taken it from an idea to an award-shortlisted Cottam product.