A TEAM at BAE Systems in Samlesbury has won a manufacturing award for its work on the production line.

The regional honour, at the Future Manufacturing Awards, was given to the F-35 team after it moved from a traditional manufacturing environment to a new system, with aircrafts sets being ‘pulsed’ through the production line past each section.

The company also developed a new app to boost communication between staff members.

The team picked up the Technology Operating Practices and Processes Award which recognises companies who have developed new operating practices for production.

A BAE spokesman said: “The award was based on a whole series of initiatives developed by the F-35 production team to improve communications for the workforce.

“The past few years have seen the team move from a more traditional manufacturing environment to a state-of-the-art pulse system where aircraft sets are pulsed through the production line through a series of stations.

“The new production system brought with it a cultural transformation too, and with that came a need to ensure everyone was on the journey.

“Communication was at the heart of this and the award recognises a series of initiatives to improve communications.”

The team will now go to the national finals in London in January.