business@bridgend Awards 2015 Special Edition

01656 815322 | business@bridgend.gov.uk Economic Development Unit

business.bridgend.gov.uk

R A T S E H T E R ’ U YO

Bridgend’s ‘shining stars’ honoured at business awards!

The cream of Bridgend County Borough businesses have been celebrated at the Bridgend Business Forum Awards 2015, held in conjunction with Bridgend County Borough Council and Bridgend College.

The all-important winners were announced in each of the 10 categories, along with the overall Bridgend Business of the Year 2015, which was selected by a panel of independent judges made-up of sponsors and representatives of the Bridgend Business Forum.

The awards, which were hosted by BBC news presenter, Sian Lloyd attracted over 200 business people, keen to celebrate the achievements of some of the county borough’s leading organisations.

Customised Sheet Metal Ltd scooped the coveted title of ‘Bridgend Business of the Year 2015’ after earlier picking up the accolades of ‘Manufacturing Business of the Year’ and ‘Creative Business of the Year’.

The engineering company which has been operating from its premises on Brackla Industrial Estate since 1997 offers a range of bespoke engineering services to small and medium sized companies (SMEs), from sheet metal engineering to specifications provided by clients, such as Amazon Swansea, Zorba, Baraca foods and Parc Prison, Bridgend. The company were also commissioned to work with the designer to supply the legs for the meeting table used at last year’s NATO summit held at the Celtic Manor, Newport.

Malcolm Pearce, Managing Director of Customised Sheet Metal said: “The focus of our business is on the development of our design, technology, equipment and skills to ensure quick and effective responses to our customer’s specific requirements.

“We have many years’ experience in the industry but our passion remains unchanged - offering innovative solutions to other businesses to help them develop and grow.”

“We were absolutely delighted and astounded to win not one, but three awards at the ceremony! We deal with clients all over Europe but it’s fantastic to be recognised on a local level for our achievements. We would like to thank the Bridgend Business Forum for this opportunity to showcase our success.”

Alison Hoy, Chair of Bridgend Business Forum, who presented the ‘Creative Industries Award’ on behalf of Berry Smith Lawyers, said: “It is always a proud moment for the forum to see these awards come to fruition – these are very special awards for Bridgend, as they seek out, acknowledge and celebrate the successes of many individuals and enterprises across the county borough.

“The business community here, in the Bridgend area remains as vibrant and innovative as ever and these awards are all about showcasing the strength and diversity of our local economy.

“The judges of these awards never fail to be amazed by the diversity of business talent within the county borough and I am proud to be here tonight to witness these celebrations and the many extensive achievements within the local business community.

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“I would like to thank all the entrants in this year’s awards, along with all those who contributed to the awards including judges, sponsors and guests.”

During the event the audience listened to a video message from Bridgend AM, Carwyn Jones, who has recently become Patron of Bridgend Business Forum.

Carwyn Jones AM said: “The Bridgend Business Forum awards ceremony is a fantastic event to showcase and celebrate local businesses. I would like to congratulate all the winners on their achievements and to pay tribute to some very worthy runners up. It is encouraging to see so many excellent businesses thriving in Bridgend. I hope everyone had an enjoyable night.”

The awards were also supported by Bridgend County Borough Council and attended by The Mayor, Councillor Richard Young and Mayoress, Mrs Annette Young of the council, Janice Gregory AM, Councillor Michael Gregory, Madeline Moon, MP and the council’s Chief Executive, Darren Mepham.

Council Leader, Mel Nott, OBE said: "The council is proud to support and promote the successes of local businesses. We are keen to encourage enterprise and the Bridgend Business Forum Awards are an excellent example of how the council can play its part in showcasing the fantastic talent and skills we have in our local business community.”

The awards were sponsored by Bridgend College, Bridgend County Borough Council, Berry Smith Lawyers, Handelsbanken, kksolutions, United Graphic Design, Business in Focus, ISA Training Group, South East Wales Community Economic Development (Bridgend), ROCKWOOL Ltd, Graham Paul Chartered Accountants and Bridgend Tourism Association.

The winners in each category were: • ‘Business Student of the Year’ – Geraint Robson & Caitlyn Corless, Ddraig Valley Farm Park • ‘Start-up Business of the Year’ – LouChi’s Tearoom • ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ – Suzanne Bourne, Nemein Ltd • ‘Manufacturing Business of the Year’ – Customised Sheet Metal Ltd • Bridgend Tourism Business of the Year’ – Best Western Heronston Hotel & Spa • ‘Innovative Business of the Year – Nemein Ltd • ‘Creative Industries Award’ – Customised Sheet Metal Ltd • ‘Social Enterprise of the Year’ – Tŷ Elis Porthcawl Counselling Service • ‘Service Business of the Year’ – ITCS Ltd • ‘Bridgend Business of the Year 2015’ - Customised Sheet Metal Ltd For more information on the forum and to view the official photos and videos from the Bridgend Business Forum Awards 2015 night visit: www.facebook.com/bridgendbusinessforum or follow on Twitter @bridgendforum All photos by Graham Davies Photography

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“Receiving the ‘Business Student of the Year’ award is a remarkable feeling. Having the support of Bridgend College and Ruth Rowe, it is an amazing feeling to not only to have been nominated but to also to have won the award!”

Geraint Robson, Ddraig Valley Farm Park

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E SS BUSINNT OF STUDEYEAR THE

m Park, less, Ddraig Valley Far Robson and Caitlyn Cor lege Col d gen Brid e, Sian Lloyd with Geraint h Row Year with sponsor Rut Business Student of the

START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

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We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted and then go on to win the Bridgend Business Forum ‘Start-up Business of the Year 2015.’ I’m very thankful to the forum for holding these awards in recognition of all the hard work that goes into running your own business.

Hannah Cirotto, LouChi’s Tearoom

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Sian Lloyd, Giovani Ciro tto and Hannah Cirotto, LouChi’s Tearoom, Sta Business of the Year with rt-up sponsor Andy Lee, Gra ham Paul Chartered Acc ountants

Runners-up: Capitol Training Ltd & Mobile Stars

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I am extremely honoured to be awarded ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ and would like to thank everyone involved for an amazing night and for the support I have had from business partners in Bridgend. I am delighted to be recognised with this award. As an entrepreneur, I feel that you are only limited by your imagination and the ability to execute your plans. Winning this award shows that, no matter what your situation, if you have imagination and are passionate and determined you can make anything happen!

Suzannah Bourne, Nemein Ltd

EUR N E R P ENTREF THE O YEAR Bourne, Nemein Ltd – Sian Lloyd, Suzannah iness Wales r with Anne Salter, Bus Yea the of Entrepreneur

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Runners-up: Lisa Carter (Little Stars Daycare & Mobile Stars & All Stars) & Brian Stokes (ITCS LTD)

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G MANUFACTURIN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

helle Pearce and Owain , Malcolm Pearce, Mic Sian Lloyd, Kevin Wykes acturing Business of nuf Ma – Ltd tal Sheet Me Wilcox of Customised ROCKWOOL Ltd s, iam Will l Pau nsor with the Year with main spo

Runners-up: Nemein Ltd & CPS Sewing Ltd

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We are really pleased not only to have been selected for the final but to have actual won ‘Bridgend Tourism Business of the Year 2015’! It has been a fantastic boost for the team, great news for the hotel, great for PR and also helps us let other businesses know just what we are capable of!

Carolyn Powell, Best Western Heronston Hotel & Spa

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Sian Lloyd, Paul Gallagh er, Carolyn Powell, Ma rk Burgess of the Best Western Heronston Hot el & Spa – Bridgend Tou rism Business of the Year with sponsor Kar l Schmidtke, Bridgend Tourism Association

BRIDGEND TOURISM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Runners-up: Porthcawl Surf School & Ambassador Training Wales

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ATIVEF V O N N I ESS O N I S U B AR THE YE

We are absolutely delighted to have won this award. It was a fantastic night and our thanks go to Bridgend Business Forum organisers and award sponsors for an amazing event, as well as to Bridgend Council’s Economic Development Unit for the on-going support. Winning this award not only celebrates Nemein’s potentially gamechanging innovations and achievements but also recognises the dedication of our highly skilled work force. It also helps the future growth of the business, through the opportunities that winning such a prestigious business awards brings.

Suzannah Bourne, Nemein Ltd m at ah Bourne and the tea Sian Lloyd with Suzann the Year with of s ines Bus ve vati Nemein Ltd – Inno y, Handelsbanken sponsor Mark Standle

Runners-up: New Vehicle Solutions Ltd & Daydream Education Ltd

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IVE T A E R C RIES T S U D IN AWARD Sian Lloyd, Kevin Wykes , Owain Wilcox, Malcol m Pearce, Michelle Pea Sheet Metal Ltd – Creativ rce of Customised e Industries Award with sponsor Alison Hoy, Ber ry Smith Lawyers

Runners-up: Wales Interactive Ltd & One Nine Design Ltd

SO ENTERCIAL PR OF THEISE YEAR

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We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award given the high calibre of our fellow nominees. Our staff and volunteers work incredibly hard to deliver a quality service for all clients through our community counselling service and this public recognition for our social enterprise from the Bridgend Business Forum is a huge bonus for us all.

Ted White, MBE – Ty Elis (Porthcawl Counselling Service)

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awl MBE of Tŷ Elis (Porthc ies and Edwina White nsor Sue spo with r Sian Lloyd with Val Dav Yea the of Social Enterprise Counselling Service) – ment programme Wales Economic Develop Whittaker, South East

Runners-up: Halo Leisure Ltd & Emmaus (South Wales)

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SERVICE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sian Lloyd, Richard Dee re, Gareth John, Brian Stokes, Glyn Pearce and Matthew Mu tlow of ITCS Ltd – Service Business of the Year with sponso r Dawn Elliott, ISA Trai ning Group

This ‘Service Business of the Year' award now sits at the top of our trophy cabinet. Customer Service has been at the heart of ITCS for over ten years, and this most recent award will help us get that message out to new and existing clients. Being recognised for delivering exceptional customer service, is always a pleasure. Not just for the management team on this event evening, but for all the staff that support our customers on a daily basis. On behalf of ITCS I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Bridgend Business Forum for hosting such an amazing event, also to the independent panel of judges for selecting ITCS. We are humbled to have been chosen for this award, knowing that there were many other highly esteemed businesses nominated.

Brian Stokes, ITCS Ltd

Runners-up: Avia Sports Cars Ltd & Datakom Ltd

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