The Business Awards 2007 finalists - Small business

Apr 22 2008 By The Journal

Regional final sponsored by HSBC

TEES VALLEY

Winner: F Jones Cleveland

This specialist stone workers has invested more than £6m in its Middlesbrough factory and has already this year announced the launch a new national division.

The company, which sells its marble, granite and quartz work surfaces through shop fitters, architects, specifiers and kitchen and bathroom retailers, is expecting to increase its workforce to 90 and its sales to £10m during the next two years.

The new division has been described as “a strategic move to allow the company to roll out and take control of the service element of its business”.

The firm, established in 1983, has also extended the factory floor to 50,000sqft and improved training and apprenticeship opportunities for its staff.

Material arrives at the Teesside firm from across the globe including Chile, Norway and Australia.

It is also ensuring it has the skilled staff it needs and has developed an apprenticeship programme, recruiting raw talent from the local area and offering them in-house training.

Runners-up: Cool Blue Brand Communications, Wells Integrated Cabling Systems

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TYNESIDE AND NORTHUMBERLAND

Winner: Scott Logic

Launched in 2005, Scott Logic develops complex financial software such as portfolio management tools and electronic trading systems.

The company was Founded by Gary Scott who worked as head of fixed income analytics for 11 years at investment bank Lehman Brothers.

The group could be set for exponential growth in the future, given the vast range of opportunities for nearshore outsourcing in the global financial sector. The firm has bases in Newcastle and Edinburgh and maintains a strong sense of commitment to the North East.

The judging panel looked for exceptional managerial and financial performance, good potential for growth and strong evidence of commitment and imagination in the product or service.

Our judges were particularly impressed with the company’s passion for hiring top talent and keeping it in the region and with its international client base.

Runners-up: Northumbrian Leisure, Shared Interest Society.

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DURHAM AND WEARSIDE

Winner: SDY Ltd t/a The Plasma Centre, of Washington, an online home entertainment business

The Plasma Centre was set up by Gary Bunt and fellow director Paul Skinner after their jobs were axed at LG Phillips Washington factory when it moved to television part manufacturer to Slovakia four years ago.

The Washington-based business was originally set up as a TV parts manufacturer after securing two Philips contracts that were too complex to move abroad. It is now a web-based TV and TV accessories seller, selling plasma and LCD (liquid crystal display) televisions as well as accessories such as brackets and television stands. Despite the recent fall in demand for expensive household items, annual sales have increased by £1m to £2m.

Runners-up: She’s Gott It! Durham City, SpaceCraft Events, Stanley.