Express & Star Business Awards 2025: Meet the finalists - Growth and Innovation Award

The award, sponsored by Express & Star, aims to celebrate companies that are pushing the boundaries through growth and innovation.

Judges will be looking to see the development of innovative products and services, new markets identified and plans for sales, evidence of an increase in customers and market share, a commitment to exceptional service plus strong management and sustainable growth.

Doocey Group

Doocey Group in Tipton is a leading civil engineering company that has significantly expanded its operations and market reach.

Established in 1981 as a traditional utility infrastructure provider for British Gas evolving into water and electric markets, the family-run business experienced substantial growth in 2022 and 2023 - fuelled by successful retention of key contracts, such as the National Grid framework, and winning new contracts in regions like Hereford, Bristol, Gloucester and Worcester.

The expansion quadrupled their market share and allowed them to compete against large national and international companies. They also secured a contract with South Staffordshire Water to outsource their Direct Labour Workforce. Annual turnover increased by 32 per cent during this period. The company has also diversified into major projects beyond traditional utility work, including construction, groundworks and multi-utility projects which resulted in work on initiatives like the Commonwealth Games and HS2.

Innovation is a core element of Doocey Group's strategy. Recognising the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market and the under-resourced charging infrastructure, they diversified into EV charger installations for industrial and commercial clients - and notably designed and built the EV charging system for Applegreen Electric at Corley Services South in Coventry. 

Furthermore, they developed a 'de-looping' service to resolve issues with residential EV charging, addressing problems with shared electrical supplies. To support their growth and efficiency, Doocey Group developed a bespoke software app for operational activities, health and safety, payroll and timesheets.

The company's workforce has tripled in the past three years to 300 PAYE employees and subcontractors. They have invested in apprenticeship programs, hiring 26 multi-utility apprentices and 10 operational support apprentices for succession planning. Doocey Group aims for organic growth, risk distribution and profitability across various work streams. Their vision includes reinvesting in local employees, communities and supply chain

Coinadrink Limited

Coinadrink Limited, established in 1962, has built a reputation as a leading provider of innovative vending and refreshment solutions.

The Walsall-based company has experienced significant growth over the last three years thanks to a continuous commitment to innovation, exceptional service and a strategic approach to business.

With a current turnover of £7.4 million and a projected increase to £7.7 million this year, the company's success is attributed to identifying new markets, developing ground-breaking products and embracing the changing needs of the workplace, while remaining true to its core values.

A key innovation is the Smart Fridge, an in-house developed solution offering a wide variety of fresh food with capacitive shelving, overcoming the limitations of traditional vending machines. The product revolutionises traditional fresh food vending and was developed to meet the growing demand for healthier, fresher and more diverse food options from sandwiches and salads to ready meals and fresh fruit. 

Another significant innovation is the Micro Market, launched in 2013, a self-service on-site convenience store model which allows employees to enjoy a wider selection of food and drinks in a convenient, cashless environment. This has enabled Coinadrink to expand its presence in diverse industries, including corporate offices and manufacturing sites.

Coinadrink's dedication to exceptional service, including a bespoke CRM system with live data, has fostered long-term client relationships. 

The company transitioned to second-generation leadership in 2022, with a continued emphasis on customer service and innovation. 

Future plans include an AI-driven live data and analytics system in 2025 to further optimise operations and make data-driven decisions that enhance the customer experience to ensure the company remains agile and responsive to customer needs in the years to come.

Pallet-Track Ltd

Pallet-Track Ltd, established in 2004, is a national logistics network specialising in pallet delivery across all market sectors. 

Over the past 20 years, the company has grown by 1,574 per cent. Moving 254,169 pallets in its first year to transporting more than 4,000,000 pallets annually across the UK. Operating from its central hub in Wolverhampton and three regional hubs, Pallet-Track supports 94 shareholder members. 

The company emphasises the importance of its people, focusing on safety and wellbeing. In 2024, 3,500 training hours were dedicated to its 100+ Forklift Truck (FLT) drivers to enhance safety culture.

Innovation is a key driver for Pallet-Track. Recognising the need for enhanced FLT safety, they partnered with Samsara, a US logistics tech company, to develop a bespoke AI-driven solution with dual-facing cameras and scanning technology. The investment, exceeding £100,000 to date and potentially reaching £1,000,000 over 24 months, aims to reduce safety incidents, harsh braking and near collisions. The AI technology allows for facial recognition, driver behaviour analysis, and a ‘Safety Bonus Scheme’ to reward safe practices.

The investment has yielded significant results, including a 49 per cent reduction in overall safety events, a 46 per cent reduction in harsh braking incidents, and a 62 per cent reduction in near collisions, all surpassing their 2024 targets. Further investments include £100,000 on dual-branded livery for shareholder member lorries, leading to an 11 per cent growth in volumes. 

Pallet-Track also engages in community initiatives, partnering with organisations such as The Midlands Air Ambulance, The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton, and The Black Country Living Museum, and sponsoring Walsall FC. 

Stuart Godman, CEO, said “Pallet-Track is undergoing a period of rapid growth. It is vital that we continue to invest in our people, infrastructure, and technology, continuing to prioritise the safety of all our colleagues. This technology is game-changing for the industry and will ensure that the safety of our people is never compromised as we continue to grow at this pace."