LAST Thursday saw the region's business at its best with the finals of the nebusiness Awards of which the North East Chamber of Commerce is a proud partner.
This year’s event saw a very strong performance from the region’s manufacturers with Stockton-based Nifco picking up the Company of the Year award to cap what has been a stunning recent run. Success that includes announcing plans for a major new plant and securing investment through the Regional Growth Fund on top of solid commercial results.
Their win came alongside that of Kilfrost who keep many of the world’s travellers safe with their aviation de-icing products and whose commitment to overseas trade saw them secure the Export award. This year’s Small Business Award also went to a manufacturer, Advanced Industrial Solutions, whose bespoke industrial insulation products are proving the foundation for solid business growth.
To maintain the theme, even the Internet and ICT Award went to a firm with engineering in its DNA, as Billingham-based Pearson-Harper were recognised for their innovation and foresight in building a business around managing the engineering information needs of major oil and gas companies world-wide.
It was stirring to see the renaissance of engineering and manufacturing in the North East recognised so fully.
Equally, winner of the Newcomer of the Year Award, Trade Training Associates showed how a small business with commitment and focus can quickly succeed and lay the foundations for future success and at the same time play a major role in addressing the skills needs of the North East’s young people. The same dedication to helping people transform their lives by improving their skills saw Peterlee-based charity Acumen pick up the Not-For-Profit Award, an award that underlines the increasing role social enterprises play in the North East economy.
With BT South Tyneside securing the Services Award as a public-private partnership transforming how citizens in the borough access council services, this year’s awards showcased and celebrated the spectrum of our business base.
One other factor drew these organisations together – their membership of the North East Chamber of Commerce which through our partnership with the nebusiness Awards will see many of our regional winners representing the North East at the national Chamber Awards in November. It will be another chance for these outstanding organisations to demonstrate why the North East is, and will continue to be, a great place to do business.
:: By James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce
