A Gateshead-based electrification specialist has been shortlisted for a major regional manufacturing award after developing a propulsion platform designed to accelerate the shift to electric vehicles and machinery.
Turntide Technologies has been named a finalist in the Product Innovation of the Year category at the Made in the North East Awards 2026 for its Axial Flux Electric Drive Unit (EDU).
The winners will be revealed at a gala dinner at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead on 26 March, with regional winners progressing to the national Made in the UK Awards.
The Axial Flux EDU is a configurable, fully validated propulsion platform that integrates the motor, inverter and drivetrain into a single system. By removing the need for component-level validation, the technology aims to help manufacturers reduce development time, cost and risk as they transition to electric and hybrid systems.
Steve Hornyak, CEO of Turntide Technologies, said the shortlist recognition reflected the practical engineering challenge the company set out to solve.
He said: “Being shortlisted for Product Innovation of the Year is a fantastic recognition of the engineering work behind our Axial Flux EDU. We created the platform to solve a real industry challenge, reducing the time, cost and complexity of electrification for manufacturers of all sizes.
“Our team focused on delivering an integrated, validated solution that helps OEMs move faster from concept to production while improving performance and efficiency. It’s rewarding to see that innovation recognised within such a strong North East manufacturing community.”
The modular platform delivers 53% higher torque density while reducing size by 58% and weight by 37% compared to traditional radial flux motor systems. With scalable power outputs and a shared cooling architecture, it is designed for demanding environments across construction equipment, commercial vehicles, off-highway machinery, automotive and high-performance powersports.
The technology has also been tested in extreme conditions, powering Turntide’s Sierra Echo-R in the King of the Hammers Desert Challenge, completing more than 600 miles without issue in one of the world’s toughest off-road endurance races.
The awards are sponsored by Made Smarter and held in association with the Engineering & Manufacturing Network, with funds raised supporting Aphasia Support.
Turntide Technologies designs and manufactures electric motors, power electronics, energy storage and thermal equipment for transport and industrial applications, serving markets including commercial vehicles, rail, marine and premium automotive from operations in the UK, North America and India.
