2011 Swale Business Awards
After months of anticipation, the 2011 Swale Business Awards took place of Friday 7th October in The Marquee at The Barnyard in Upchurch.
Competition amongst the entrants was extremely fierce, leaving the judges with a difficult job on their hands. There was much deliberation before the 12 finalists were eventually selected. Paul Price, Partner of IMM-UK and chairman of the judges remarked, “It was incredible to see so many strong businesses operating throughout Swale, but it did make the job of judging the awards very tough. In the end we just had to be ruthless with our marking, so the finalists were the businesses that really stood out to us.”
The Small Business of the Year award went to NBC Bird & Pest Solutions Ltd, who specialise in using environmentally friendly methods of controlling unwanted birds and pests. One example of this is their trained falcon, which scares off unwanted birds without killing them. Based on the Isle of Sheppey, they currently have 2 employees.
Macknade Fine Foods won the Retail and Hospitality award. With 33 employees working out of their offices in Faversham, they wholesale fine food and drink to local and international customers, including pubs, restaurants and caterers. Ingrained in the local community, they have been operating for 32 years.
The Customer Service and Commitment award went to O’Connell’s Drywall Contractors Ltd, providers of plastering and drylining services to the building trade. Founded in 1978, this Sittingbourne based company is deeply committed to employee development and employs 8 members of staff, three-quarters of whom live in Swale.
The runner-up for the Swale Business of the Year 2011 award was Ecologia Environmental Ltd. 43 of their 58 employees work in the Kent Science Park in Sittingbourne, where they develop and implement unique, high-tech landremediation technologies, which makes ground that has been contaminated by a range of polluting substances safe to use.
Carousel Logistics Ltd were the overall winners of the Swale Business of the Year 2011 award. Established in 1985 they design, implement and manage integrated logistics solutions for large organisations that require distribution or warehousing. Working out of Sittingbourne, they currently employ 61 members of staff and have been operating since 1985. Last year saw their business increase by 27%.
Over 150 people attended the Gala Awards Dinner. The guests enjoyed drinks on arrival, followed by a sumptuous three-course meal prior to the winners being announced. Dancing and further celebrations were had by all until it was the time to leave.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Swale were in attendance; presenting framed certificates to all the finalists and later in the evening receiving a cheque for £2000 to be donated to his chosen charities. The funds were generously donated by the guests during the evening with a raffle being held and Graham Martin, the Managing Director of Carousel Logistics donating his £1,000 winner’s cheque, bringing the total amount raised to £2,000.
The evening was a huge success and next year’s event is sure to be even better. Keep checking back for more information on the 2012 Swale Business Awards as it becomes available.
The 2011 Swale Business Awards were sponsored by: Kent Science Park, UHY Hacker Young, Thomson Snell & Passmore, Kent Regional News and Media, Swale Borough Council, McLaughlin Hook, University of Greenwich at Medway, HSBC – The World’s Local Bank, McNealy Brown, IMM-UK, Shepherd Neame, Swale Heating Ltd.
If you would like to be a sponsor of the Swale Business Awards 2012, please contact Liz Jordan or Paul Price.
2010 Swale Business Awards
|
In a tough contest with record entry levels, Swale's best businesses were announced at a spectacular harvest themed gala evening at Kent Science Park's, The Woodstock Club based in Sittingbourne. The awards, now in their fourth year, have become a landmark of local business excellence with companies entering from every sector. Three of the winning firms were from the Eurolink Estate based in the heart of Sittingbourne. Awards chair of judges, Paul Price said the entries this year were of very high quality and competition was fierce.
Swale Exporter of the Year was won by family business Creative Resins Distribution Limited. The company Runner Up of the Swale Business of the Year went to expanding aircraft and car model distributer- Century UK Limited. The company distributed the whole range of CENTURY products ranging from the Hummingbird through to the Predator. They also distribute many well known model producers through local shops.
Swale mayor Cllr. Stephen Worrall also accepted a cheque for £684 for the charity for the evening, Demelza Hospice Care for Children. Other finalists included: Blenwood Ground Maintenance Ltd, CS One Designers Ltd, Julie Gamble Skincare, Phil the Bag, Plantworks, Reardon Properties, Summit Retail and The Pet Shop The Swale Business Awards 2010 were sponsored by: UHY Hacker Young, McLaughlin Hook, Kent Science Park, The University of Greenwich, Thames Gateway (Kent) Chamber of Commerce, East Kent Gazette, Thomson, Snell & Passmore, Swale Borough Council, Go Response, McNealy Brown and HSBC. Strong show this year
Awards judge and lawyer Joanne Gallagher said:" "The range of different businesses entering this year's Swale Business Awards was diverse and interesting. "Many applications demonstrated that despite the immense difficulties of recent years with the economic climate it is possible for well run, focused business to grow and prosper in such times. I believe that many of those businesses are well positioned to continue to thrive and prosper as economy activity slowly improves. "This year's finalists were really impressive, despite the challenges that they had faced. Overcoming those difficulties is a legitimate part of their business success and an inspiration to others." The sponsors too have been delighted with the outcome and director Steve McLaughlin said:" My firm McLaughlin Hook has been once again to sponsor the Swale Business Awards and it is wonderful to see the number of applications we received, given the recent economic climate. Well done." The 2010 finalists were:Blenwood Ground Maintenance Brittain & Hobbs Century UK Ltd Creative Resins Distributions Ltd. CS One Designers Eurobond Adhesives Limited Julie Gamble Skincare Centre Phil the Bag Plantworks Ltd. Reardon Properties Summit Retail Display Ltd The Pet Shop |
Retailer of the Year went to Brittain & Hobbs TV & Electrical Limited. based in Roman Square, Sittingbourne. Established in 1972, the family run firm sells a large range of appliances from washing machines, fridges and cookers to numerous smaller items.
has clients all over the world including the top airlines and wealthy yacht owners who use its resin products.
The top winner of Swale Business of the Year went to Eurobond Adhesives Limited, which has been supplying high tech adhesives to industry throughout Europe since 1984.
There has been a strong show of very good companies this year as entry numbers doubled that of last year.2009 Awards
It was an electric atmosphere at the third Swale Business Awards gala presentation with two of the top prizes going to Kent Science Park based companies.
The evening began with a presentation to local sporting youngsters whose talents, including some Olympic potential, have been supported by Swale Borough Council with funding from the Swale Youth Development Fund. Those receiving cheques from Cllr. Gerry Lewin, were: Holly and Jessica Smith, £200 for swimming; Millie Collett, £200 for swimming, biathlon and running; Deanna Ward, £150 for trampoline and Rachael Page, £215 for women's artistic gymnastics.
The gala was held at the Woodstock Club based at Kent Science Park and this year saw a strong entry list with a competitive final 12 finalists.
The Innovation in Business Award went to producers and distributers of high quality intermediate reagents to the medical diagnostics industry SCIPAC Ltd, based at Broadoak Enterprise Village.
Best Small Business went to the Julie Gamble Skin Care Centre from Sittingbourne. The company was set up 17 years ago and carries the entire Dermalogica range skin care and beauty services.
Runner up was Kent Science Park based Global Associates Ltd. The company specialises in a niche market comprising the design, installation, maintenance and calibration of complex building management and process control systems and associated peripheral equipment. After receiving their cheque for £750, the directors promptly donated the sum to the charity of the night, The Micro and Anophthalmic Children's Society.
Winner of the Swale Business Awards 2009 was Go Response Limited, also based at Kent Science Park. Operating two outsourced contact centres, the firm offers inbound call handling and contact handling, including emails and web order processing on behalf of nearly 500 small to medium sized businesses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It was also voted Best Trading Partner in the telephone answering sector this year by leading industry analysis expert Plimsoll.
Managing Director Mark Kirby said:" The awards have been a fantastic boost to the company's morale both on the night and on our return to the office.
"The key effect has been the enthusiasm that's been generated. We are a family firm and employ quite a number of mother and daughter clans which gives working here a great atmosphere."
Swale Borough Council felt it wanted to offer a special Lifetime Achievement Award to a local outstanding business man and this was presented to Paul Winter of Wurebelt, manufacturer of stainless steel conveyor belts. Mr Winter has been behind many projects to improve the business community and infrastructure in Swale.
