Innovation Award

Apr 17 2009 The Journal

Creative thinkers win top awards New ideas are key to the future of the region’s economy and this award recognises the best of the best innovators here in the North East

WINNER TYNESIDE AND NORTHUMBERLAND

Elfab Ltd

North Shields-based Elfab is Europe’s leading manufacturer of rupture discs, explosion vents and associated detection devices. The firm has been in existence for more than 75 years, but remains at the cutting edge of innovation and recently launched a new wireless detection system for use with its pressure-relief products.

WINNER DURHAM AND WEARSIDE

Anross Ltd

Anross has illustrated its forward thinking through the recent development of its CRUSHA Bucket – a powered attachment for hydraulic excavators. Used to crush waste concrete, bricks, blocks and stone for re-use as aggregate, it has been praised by the industry for encouraging re-use of brownfield sites and reducing landfill. Based in Consett, the firm has seen a quick take-up of the bucket as construction becomes a greener industry.

WINNER TEES VALLEY

Xena Systems

The Middlesbrough firm has developed the LoadSwift Hi-Rise building loading system – an innovative construction system that can save up to 80% in building fit-out times. It is already being used on construction projects in London, Glasgow and Chicago and now, through newly-created division LoadSwift International, Xena is looking to build new relationships with customers in India, the US, the United Arab Emirates and central Europe.

RUNNERS UP DURHAM AND WEARSIDE

Geopressure Technology Ltd

Formed as a spinout company at Durham University, the firm provides a consultancy service for the oil and gas industry.

CA Group

CA Group in County Durham makes, supplies and installs industrial roofing and cladding. As well as installing one of its own solar panel systems at its factory site, it has also been busy developing the first high-velocity rainwater management system, which eliminates any requirements for internal pipes.

RUNNERS UP TYNESIDE AND NORTHUMBERLAND

Kilfrost Ltd

Kilfrost has a long history of innovation, having been the first manufacturer of aviation de-icing fluids in the 1930s. Now it has devised an environmentally friendly alternative to the crude-oil-based liquids used to de-ice aircraft, a corn-based glycol.

Connect Physical Health (Centres)

The Cramlington company is owned by a team of physiotherapists and they have used all their expertise to devise an innovative way of treating patients with musculoskeletal problems such as a bad back or painful knee.

RUNNERS UP TEES VALLEY

DuPont Teijin Films (UK)

A 50:50 joint venture between DuPont and Teijin, the company’s research facility at Wilton has been responsible for a number of innovative products which have driven the growth of the company.

Tracerco – Part of the Johnson Matthey group,

Billingham-based Tracerco has developed the innovative TRACERCO Profiler, which is used to measure and control the process of oil and gas separation.