Diamond night for West Bromwich box manufacturer
A cardboard box company heading for a £30 million turnover and new jobs after just six years has been hailed as one of the area's top businesses.
West Bromwich-based Diamond Box was the big winner at the Black Country Asian Business Association awards event at Wolverhampton Racecourse.
Nearly 500 guests at the event saw Diamond Box scooping the Business of the Year title while its founder and chief executive Kavi Jundu was declared Business Person of the Year.
Operating from a 100,000 sq ft factory in West Bromwich, Diamond Box has rapidly grown from a start-up to turnover in excess of £22 million in just five years. It is projected to reach £30 million by the end of the year. It employs 100 people and expects to strengthen its workforce with an aggressive recruitment drive.
Other winners on the night were:
Start Up: Autobase Citroen
Young Entrepreneur: Wasim Ashraf of Cloverford Textiles
Community Excellence: Punjabi Wolves
Regeneration: TCH Hire
International Award: Brit Health Care
Innovation and Enterprise: Zeel Solutions
Life time Achievement Award: Jindy Khera of KTC
Earlier, guests were told that businesses headed by British Asians have a pivotal role to play in the re-emergence of the UK economy.
Headline speaker Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea, founder of Cobra Beer, argued that the 'glass ceiling' that was once prevalent in British business was no longer operating, saying success in British society was no longer based on class, colour or creed but on actual merit.
Describing his personal journey from birth in India to an education to Cambridge University and the setting up of Cobra Beers, Lord Bilimoria then spoke about the success of Brand Britain, the Olympics and the success of British Asian business.
As a previous chancellor of Thames Valley University, he spoke about the importance of skills, the need to increase exports and the need to change the perceptions of British business amongst the British public.
Ninder Johal, chairman of BCBA, which takes in over 3,000 businesses said: "Despite the economic difficulties, it is reassuring to see that the Asian business community is still thriving. The fact that almost 500 people attended this event is clear testimony of this."
Speaking at the event, he said BCABA was working closely with UKTI, the Government's export agency, and Wolverhampton Council on a major trade mission to India in the autumn. He also spoke about the support for Birmingham Airport to the area, and its strategic importance to the Black Country.
Arguing that the Black Country had much to be proud of. Mr Johal, who is also a board member of the Black Country LEP and vice president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the need for the region to be recognised for its many features including a skilled workforce and attractiveness for inward investment.
He pointed to the investment made by Jaguar Land Rover into the Black Country as a clear indication of the potential of the area.
Motor neurone disease was the charity on the night for which more than £9,000 was raised. Host for the evening was BBC presenter Tommy Sandhu and entertainment was provided by Back 2 Back.
Sponsors for the awards event included KTC (Edibles) UK ltd, Walsall Council, Stourbridge College (Business Skills), Jaguar Landrover, Wolverhampton Business Solutions, Apprenticeships, Business Skills( Stourbridge College), Accord group, Central Campus, Birmingham Airport, Turkish Airlines, Wolverhampton Council, Black Country LEP, Birmingham City University and Johal Catering.
