Express & Star

Strong line-up of finalists for Express & Star Business Awards

Organisers have hailed one of the strongest line-ups of competing companies in the history of the Express & Star Business Awards.

Published
The winners of the 2017 Express & Star Business Awards

The event has attracted record-breaking numbers of entries from businesses large and small across the region, all eager to walk away with one of the prized award trophies.

More than 120 entries have now been whittled down to a shortlist of 32 who will undergo a further rigorous judging process to select the ultimate winners in each category

From a FTSE-250 giant and international aerospace group to family-run transport companies and funeral directors, the finalists represent both the breadth and the depth of the local business world, from traditional engineering to cutting edge technology, from professional services to the world of entertainment.

All will now go through a series of site visits by teams of judges, including executives from sponsor companies and from the Express & Star's parent company, Midland News Association.

Finalists have been announced for the 2018 Express & Star Business Awards

The final winners will be revealed at a glittering black-tie dinner event, in front of a sell-out crowd at Wolverhampton Racecourse on June 7.

Express & Star Deputy Editor Diane Davies said: "Each year the standard of entries to our Business Awards just gets stronger and stronger. It is a huge tribute to the quality of the businesses we have operating in our area, and to the people they employ.

"As an awards judge I am one of those who faces the challenge of selecting a winner from a shortlist of remarkable businesses. Each year it seems to get harder and harder as our businesses set themselves ever-higher standards.

"Whether it is a small firm based in a workshop on a trading estate or a major business based here but employing thousands around the country – and even overseas – they are all hugely impressive in the way they operate, the way they enthuse and encourage their workforce and in their ambition to achieve the highest standards.

"We at the Express & Star are proud that these companies choose our awards to showcase their outstanding qualities.

"Whichever firms are the ultimate winners, each of our finalists should feel proud too – they have already achieved tremendous success by securing a hard-won place on our awards shortlist.

"I also need to thank each and every one of our sponsors companies – without them these awards would simply not be able to take place."

The finalists include:

Manufacturing Champion: Addfield Environmental Systems, Burntwood; Midland Tool and Design, Tipton; Petford Group Dudley

Business Person of the Year: Neil Lloyd, FBC Manby Bowdler; Jason Levy, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity; Alexander Keyes, South Staff Windows; Adrian Jackson, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Micro Business of the Year: Hightech Automotive Parts, Hednesford; Invictus Active, Wolverhampton; Stone’s Throw Media, Wolverhampton

Family Business of the Year: A & A Walters, Tipton; EDS Couriers, Hednesford; Lawrence Cleaning, Dudley

Best Use of Technology: HomeServe, Walsall; Howells Patent Glazing, Cradley Heath; Thomas Dudley Foundry, Dudley,

Community Champion: HomeServe,Walsall; Paycare, Wolverhampton; Starting Point Recruitment, Walsall,

Growth & Innovation Award: Maped Helix, Kingswinford; Moog Aircraft Group, Wolverhampton; Pallet Track, Wolverhampton; Paycare, Wolverhampton

Young Business of the Year: H20 Hygiene, Cheslyn Hay; Invictus Active, Wolverhampton; Wealth Design Group, Cannock

Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year: A&M EDM, Smethwick; Homeserve Furniture Repairs, Brierley Hill; Petford Group, Dudley; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton

Business of the Year: Maped Helix, Kingswinford; Pallet Track, Wolverhampton; Voestalpine Metsec, Oldbury