The Business Awards 2007 finalists - Technology Award

Apr 22 2008 By The Journal

Regional final sponsored by K Home International

DURHAM AND WEARSIDE

Winner: Premier Waste Management Ltd, waste disposal experts, Durham City.

Premier Waste Management, based in Durham City, is one of the biggest independent waste management companies in the UK.

It develops new technologies to recycle and recover waste, such as its Parc System – the Premier Advanced Recycling Centre – which treats the unsegregated household waste found in wheelie bins. It separates glass, metal and plastics for recycling and transforms the biodegradable waste into a type of compost which is being used as a soil conditioning product for brownfield sites for regeneration and land for growing bio-fuels.

The Parc system, which has been operating since 2002, claims to divert up to 85% rubbish away from landfill.

The company is set to benefit from a European Union directive which orders that all businesses pre-treat their waste.

Runners-up: Propeller GB Ltd, Peterlee. The Communicator Corporation, Sunderland.

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TEES VALLEY

Winner: Profile Analysis

This Middlesbrough firm has developed a product that assists companies with the management of field sales personnel in real time.

The product – I-snapshot – will work on any mobile phone, any network in any country.

The technology has now been launched in seven overseas markets, including the US, Australia, South Africa, Holland and Germany.

I-snapshot was developed following work undertaken by Rocket Science, the other brand owned by Profile Analysis.

Work started to develop the prototype in November 2005 and the product was launched in the UK in September 2006.

Runners-up: Centre For Process Innovation. Registration Services – Stockton Council.

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TYNESIDE AND NORTHUMBERLAND

Winner: Derwent Systems

As well as being recognised for its Innovation at the North East Business Awards, it also scooped the prize for technology.

The company, which makes surveillance technology products, particularly impressed the judges with its AEGIS development.

AEGIS is seen as a ground-breaking product which combines innovations in infrared technology and unique product design.

Meanwhile, the firm continues to lead the way in supplying CCTV and surveillance products to defence, homeland security and industries which work in hazardous environments. The US Navy, Royal Navy and the Department of Homeland Security are all listed as those who use Derwent technology.

The firm’s products watch over a vast range of arenas from some of the world’s toughest prisons housing the most vicious criminals to car parks where its number plate capture and vehicle imaging ensure all drivers adhere to the law.

The Northumberland business has also developed explosion-proof solutions to provide precision-engineered video imaging in hazardous environments enabling safe, effective surveillance for chemical sites and oil and gas facilities.

Runners-up: e-Therapeutics. Orla Protein Technologies.