Chamber celebrates Black Country success

With a sell-out crowd of 450 people in attendance, the awards event at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Friday was bigger and better than ever.

The dinner, sponsored by voestalpine Metsec, aimed to acknowledge and celebrate local business success.

The evening's blue riband Outstanding Achievement award, sponsored by voestalpine Metsec, went to Halesowen-based Braveheart Education.

The company trains and supports those working with vulnerable children, whether they are looked after, adopted or in challenging home environments.

A chamber spokeswoman said: "The judges were keen to hear a special story. This award celebrates the best in the Black Country."

Runner-up for the award was Black Country comedy trio Fizzog Productions.

The award for Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Birmingham City University, was won by Wordsley-based Klick Business Solutions, which specialises in tender writing and bid management services.

The award for Excellence in Manufacturing and Engineering, sponsored by Birmingham Airport, aimed to celebrate a company that excels in manufacturing or engineering performance.

The judges were looking at the processes in place that help to achieve success and the winner was precision engineering firm A&M EDM, from Smethwick.

Chamber President Adrian Wright, President of Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: "I would like to congratulate all our winners and thank the many more businesses who have taken part in the Awards this year.

"We have some fantastic businesses in the Black Country and we need to help to raise the profile of the great work they do.

"Celebrating success stories at an evening like this highlights the strength of the region.

"I would also like to thank all of our sponsors for their continued support of the chamber, including headline sponsor voestalpine Metsec plc."

Metsec, the UK's largest specialist cold roll-forming company, is based in Oldbury.

General manager Richard Allen said: "We were very keen to be headline sponsor at the awards to show our support and admiration for the work of the region and the impact it has both in the UK and globally.

"It's an occasion to shine a light on the international reach the Black Country has, and the innovation that it brings."

Best New Business, sponsored by Ramada Park Hall Hotel & Spa, which This award category was open to companies that started trading on or after January 1, 2013, went to The judges were looking for a business that had Write Size for exceeding expectations at the start of its business life cycle.

Thompson AVC picked up Business Services Provider of the Year, sponsored by NatWest, while winners of the Community Champion award, sponsored by The Co-operative Energy, went to Ideal for All.

Excellence in Customer Service, sponsored by ep professional, for companies that applied for this award had to showed how they exceeded in customer service and consistently maintained great standards, went to FBC Manby Bowdler.

Exporter of the Year, backed by Wolverhampton Racecourse, Whether a new or experienced exporter, this Award celebrated a business that had achieved international growth, entered a new market, or overcome trade barriers. The winners were Simworx.

Innovation and Technology Award, sponsored by ASSA ABLOY & Yale, The judges were looked for a company that used innovation or technology to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Winners were Thomas Dudley Ltd.

Jordan Holloway, from The Black Country Living Museum Trust, was handed the Young Person or Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by University of Wolverhampton.

The category was open to exceptional young employees, aged 24 years or under, whoThe judges were looking for a candidate that had perhaps overcome personal barriers or were already making a difference within the organisation.