FAST-GROWING de-icer company Kilfrost was last night named the Tyneside and Northumberland Company of the Year in the region’s biggest and best business awards.
Newcastle-based Kilfrost took the top title in the second heat of the nebusiness awards, beating the Port of Tyne and Cramlington-based industrial air filter company AAF.
The company’s success in the awards, organised by The Journal and Evening Gazette in association with Business & Enterprise North East, comes after another year of global growth.
The 77-year-old maker of de-icer for roads, railways, aeroplanes and airports saw its revenues jump from £50m to £60m last year and is expecting strong growth once again.
And with an office in the US and a new outpost in Beijing it is building its business worldwide, with US trade expected to rise from £15m to £30m over the next couple of years. Chinese custom is also soaring.
The company has around 70 staff in the UK and 50 overseas. It expects to continue recruiting over the next 12 months.
Kilfrost was just one of nine which celebrated taking the top prize in their category at the ceremony at the Newcastle Gateshead Hilton last night.
All of the winners in this second of three sub-regional finals will go through with those from Durham & Wearside and Teesside to the grand regional final at Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield on April 14.
There were hundreds of entries for the North East’s biggest corporate awards, said Journal editor Brian Aitken, who gave last night’s keynote address.
“It may still be tough for many businesses but the successes we are celebrating tonight are all the more impressive for that.
“These awards showcase the fantastic achievements of businesses of all sizes who have what it takes to shine even in the most challenging economic climate.
“The nebusiness awards for 2010 will once again prove that there are hundreds of businesses across the region doing great things, achieving impressive results and demonstrating world-class qualities.”
The guest speaker was serial entrepreneur PY Gerbeau, who delighted the audience with anecdotes from a colourful career.
To find out more about all the winners of the nebusiness awards see our 36 page supplement in the Journal on April 6.
To find out more about the awards and book a table for the dinners, visit www.nebusinessawards.co.uk or contact Kirsty Tarn on 0191 201 6072.
List of winners >>>
