Alan Black, founder of Sound Leisure – the UK’s oldest and most revered classic jukebox manufacturer – has been named as one of the top 100 manufacturers in the country.

The report is compiled by The Manufacturer magazine – the premier UK industry publication providing manufacturing news, articles and insights, while promoting best practice in the manufacturing industry. The final list was then decided by an expert panel of judges from academia and industry.

The Manufacturer Top 100 project began in 2014, with an aim to dispel the myths surrounding the image of manufacturing and to provide a platform to publicly identify dynamic leaders and innovators in the industry.

Shortlisted individuals are nominated by the magazine’s readers, the wider industrial community and the public – for their contributions in changing the face of industry; finding new markets and making marked investment in people, processes and customers.

“I am very honoured to receive this recognition for manufacturing. Together with my family and colleagues, we have worked hard to promote engineering and manufacturing to youngsters in our area, so that they can understand what an exciting career it can be,” says Alan Black. “To be considered as one of the top 100 manufacturers in the country is incredible for Sound Leisure and everyone who works for us.”

Last week, more than 300 people, including the new TM Top 100 cohort, industry leaders and the wider manufacturing community gathered at an exclusive event at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to celebrate the report’s launch.

“In a fast-moving global economy, which is seeing market forces and costs rebalancing internationally, to have an organisation like The Manufacturer forcing the debate on manufacturing prowess in the UK is vital. Striving to provide young people with manufacturing excellence role models is a vital initiative.”

In attendance was Alan Foster, Operations Director at Mclaren Automotive, he was one of last year’s winners and judged the 2016 list. He said: “In a fast-moving global economy, which is seeing market forces and costs rebalancing internationally, to have an organisation like The Manufacturer forcing the debate on manufacturing prowess in the UK is vital. Striving to provide young people with manufacturing excellence role models is a vital initiative.”

A thank you from the chairman – Alan Black

When my friend Eddy Moss & myself established Sound Leisure in 1978 neither of us realised or imagined the roller coaster ride we were about to experience with our company.  Eddy sadly passed away in 2014 but I know he would have been just as thrilled and excited as I am in receiving this manufacturer’s award.

Although my name is on the plaque in reality the success of Sound Leisure is in the team work of the highly skilled dedicated work force, many of them working for the company for over 30 years.  I would like to thank each and every one of them in helping us build the high quality reputation we enjoy around the world.

Sound Leisure is a family business, my eldest son Chris is Managing Director, ably helped by his lovely wife Cath, my youngest Son Michael, Design Director studied at Sheffield Hallam University and achieved an A First degree pass in product design.  The rest of my extended family is my loyal team of co-workers who day in day out keep our products rolling of the shop floor to locations all over the world.  Finally I would like to thank all my friends, distributors and customers who have contacted me and sent their congratulations.  I would like to sincerely thank them for their ongoing support of Sound Leisure.

Thank you one & all.

Alan Black
Chairman & Founder
Sound Leisure Ltd