Cottam Brush Shortlisted for Innovation of the Year at Made in Britain Impact Awards
Cottam Brush has been shortlisted for Innovation of the Year at the 2026 Made in Britain Impact Awards for SPLITGRIP™, its new patent-pending modular roller brush system. The recognition follows the UK manufacturer’s success at the 2024 Impact Awards, where Cottam Brush was named Heritage Manufacturer of the Year. Two years later, the company is being recognized for its focus on product innovation.
From Heritage to Innovation
With a manufacturing history dating to 1858, Cottam Brush has built its reputation on more than 165 years of brushmaking experience. The company says that longevity has also depended on continuing to listen to customers, solve practical manufacturing challenges and develop new approaches to brush design.
SPLITGRIP is the latest example of that approach. Developed by Cottam Brush’s engineering team in Northeast England, SPLITGRIP™ is a modular roller brush system designed to address one of the most common challenges associated with industrial roller brushes: the time and disruption involved in maintenance and replacement.
The system features a split-body design that allows individual brush sections to be fitted directly onto an existing shaft without removing surrounding equipment. According to Cottam Brush, sections can be installed in approximately 60 seconds, helping users reduce downtime and simplify maintenance. The modular design also allows individual worn sections to be replaced rather than requiring replacement of the entire brush assembly, potentially extending product life and reducing material waste.
Recognition for the Cottam Team
Cottam Brush says the Innovation of the Year nomination represents an important milestone for the team that developed SPLITGRIP and reflects the company’s broader approach to manufacturing. The progression from winning Heritage Manufacturer of the Year in 2024 to being shortlisted for Innovation of the Year in 2026 highlights the company’s focus on combining its manufacturing heritage with continued product development and engineering.
The winners of the 2026 Made in Britain Impact Awards will be announced Wednesday, November 4. Regardless of the final result, Cottam Brush says the nomination is a point of pride for the team that took SPLITGRIP™ from an initial concept to an award-shortlisted product.
