Regional winners of prestigious business awards

A Sheffield manufacturing business has won a prestigious award for its exporting activities.

Gripple Ltd, a member of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce & Industry, has been announced as the regional winner of the Achievement in International Business Award in the Yorkshire and Humberside region in the British Chamber of Commerce and Royal Bank of Scotland’s Chamber Awards 2007.

The company – a wire joining and tensioning manufacturer – won the Royal Bank of Scotland-sponsored award after impressing the judges with its record of growth overseas. Between 2003 and 2006 the firm’s international sales grew by 53%. This growth was achieved by a combination of launching innovative new products, by progressively investing in new markets and strengthening the company’s position in key overseas markets. Gripple Ltd predicts that in the future, the UK will account for approximately only 10% of turnover.

Nigel Mills, from Royal Bank of Scotland Invoice Finance said: “Making a success of your business in your local community or the UK is tough enough but extending that into international markets takes courage and skill.  Congratulations to Gripple Ltd.  Export markets are all too often an untapped business opportunity.  You have shown what can be achieved.”

Gripple Ltd will now go through to national judging and the chance to win the top prize of £50,000, courtesy of Royal Bank of Scotland.

Peter Mileham, president of the BCC said: “Gripple Ltd has shown how exporting is a powerful factor in many of Britain’s most successful businesses of all sizes.  That success does not come easily.  Only the best survive.  Congratulations to Gripple Ltd for its significant achievements as an exporter.”

The Chamber Awards has eight categories in total and businesses were allowed to enter as many categories as they wished.

Huddersfield-based interpretation and translation service provider, Applied Language Solutions was announced as the regional winner in four categories: Most Promising New Business; Green Award; Impact of Technology (less than 50 employees); and Entrepreneur of the Year (for Nick Weir).

Just four years after its creation, Applied Language Solutions has offices in eight countries and a target turnover of £11.6 million.

Peter Mileham commented: “Starting and running a business requires total commitment and strong commercial acumen on the part of the founders.  So many businesses fail to make it past their first year, let alone their third. Applied Language Solutions is an inspiration to all of us in business.”

The other regional winners were Web-Translations Ltd for Impact of Technology (more than 50 employees); Bramall Construction for Business of the Year; and H.I. Weldrick Ltd for Performance Through People.

Each of the regional winners have received a certificate and will now go through to the national round of judging and the chance to win the top prize of £50,000.This prize will be awarded to the company that the judges agree should win the overall Award for Outstanding Business Achievement. Last year the award was won by AESSEAL Plc, a seal manufacturing company based in Rotherham.

Peter Mileham said: “I am so proud of the Chamber Awards as they provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success of businesses across the country.  Those who have got this far are already recognised as outstanding within their own regions and I congratulate them.  I wish them every success in the national final.”

The national winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London on 29 November 2007.