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EXPRESS &STAR BUSINESS AWARDS 2022
BUSINESSOFTHE YEAR WINNER: HOMESERVE FURNITUREREPAIRS
TheBusinessofthe Year
titlewenttoBrierley Hill’s HomeserveFurniture Repairs.
Express&StarEditorMartinWrightmadethe presenta-
tion of theaward whichis sponsoredbythe newspaper itself
OwnerJames Lane wasthrilled to land thetitle andsaid: “Weknew we coulddoit.”
He said theaward came as the
business wasjustcompletingits move in to newpremisesatWaterfrontBusinessPark.
Managing director JohnBowater said:“We aregratefultoeveryone whoworks forHomeservethathas playedtheir part in winningthis award.
“Theyare amassive part of this business.”
Judges said that theway Homeserve FurnitureRepairs hadreacted to thechallengesof thecoronavirus pandemichad been exceptionalwiththe managementteamshowing greatin-
itiative andvisiontoguide the business throughanenormous challenge.
They addedthatfurther growth andthe move to thenew premises demonstratedthe company’srelentless commitment to achieving success
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Homeserve Furniture Repairscelebrate beingcrowned as theExpress &StarBusiness of theYear 2022
#WINNERS W #WINNERS
ohnBowater, left,and James Lane from Homeserve FurnitureRepairs
#WINNERS
APPRENTICE OF THEYEAR WINNER: MEGANWINUP
MeganWinup from Tividale-basedGMS Security Services took home theApprenticeofthe Year trophy.
Megan, aged 23,fromOldbury said it was“amazingtobeawinner”
Shehas been working forGMS for seven yearsand herapprenticeship is coming to an endinSeptember
Shesaidithad been arealsurprise to be namedasthe winner Megansaidthattaking on the runningofthe riding school at GMS’snew headquarters at Tividalehad been an amazingopportunity.
“ItisworkthatI really enjoy and love doing,”she added.
Enthusiasm
Judges said that they lovedMegan’s infectious enthusiasmand boundlessenergyfor herworkat GMSSecurityServices.
They felt that sherepresented theperfect exampleofsomeone who hascontinually developedvia an apprenticeship,achieving ahigher level in both hereducation andin herwork.
Neil Thomas of theDudley-based BlackCountry &Marches Institute of Technology,which sponsoredthe award, madethe presentation to
EXPRESS &STAR BUSINESS AWARDS 2022
Meganwho hasproveda real role modelfor apprenticessince she joined GMSSecurityServicesfrom school
Meganstarted in thehuman resourcesdepartment assistingwith generaladministration,but herrole hasdeveloped sincethenand she hasbecome avital teammember
During hertimewithGMS she hasnot only completed herlevel 2 and3inbusinessadministration from 2015 to 2017 butisalso in the
MANUFACTURINGCHAMPION WINNER: LESTERS
Family business Lesters from Burntwood hada specialnight at theExpress& Star Business Awards.
TheManufacturing Champion awardcameonthe same dayit landed abig newcontractgiving it an extra reason to celebrate. the night, MichaelBrookesfromaward sponsorCollins Aerospacehanded over thetrophytothe teamfrom thepackagingbusiness
Managing director BillyHutchinsonsaid: “Wehavejustsecured our biggestever contract today
“Thisisa double result forus– it is absolutelybrilliant.”
Recruiting
Judges said Lester stood outfor howthe business hadcontinued to invest andgrow, includingbyrecruiting highly skilled individuals in specialist fields
They were impressed at how the business wasdriven by itscorevalueswhich allemployees supported andwereengaged with Lestersisone of Staffordshire’s fastestgrowing manufacturers.
It is aspecialistinlarge packaging, providingmillions of corrugated boxes, largeformatpackaging andheavy-dutycases.
Therise of online shopping has seen salessoarand Lesters, which wasfounded in 1983,has taken on 15 newstaff to take itsskilled workforce to 60 people
Astrategicexpansion plan will seethe companymovetowards £25 million annual turnoverby2024.
This will create afurther 30 new positionsatits 45,000 sq ft site at Mount Road
Thelastyearhas been transformational forLesters with itsgrowth
finalyearofher business degree at University CollegeBirmingham whichshe started in 2018
Within 12 months of employment,Megan wassolely responsiblefor managing theHRscreening andvetting process. Sheprocessed everynew starterthrough avery stringentprocess,requiring strict attentiontodetail. In ordertofurther herpersonaldevelopmentMegan spent12monthsworking in the financedepartment.
Meganhas made asignificant impact to GMS. Last year,the owners acquired theWarrens Hall Riding School at Tividale andmovedGMS head office there.
Thismeant anotherchangein role forMegan whichinvolved moving back into theHRteamto manage thecompliancetasks while runningthe office function forthe riding school
Theridingschoolemploys anumberofapprentices andMegan men-
tors them as they undertaketheir customerservice qualification
Sheconductsregular meetings with theapprentices to make sure they arekeeping on track with their learning andhelps them overcome anyissues. Shealso liaises with trainers
Theother finalistswereMatthew Smith, of Lord Combustion Services,Oldbury andJasmine Massey,of FBCManby Bowdler, Wolverhampton.
drivenbyinvestmentinskillsand a £7minvestmentprogramme
That hasresulted in theinstallation of anew £3mTCY JumboCasemakerand theimpending arrivalof aTCY N6 3colourcasemaker machine.
These acquisitions have helped thecompany reduce lead timesand increase capacity
Therehas been a£2.5m investment in anothernew production line,which boasts arotarydie cut-
terand Fossaluzzapre-feeder and auto palletiser.
At thefactory in Burntwood, Lestershas dedicatedshopfloor zonesthatare runbydesignated teams, with people working in these areasset differenttasks,including cleaning,organisingand implementingimprovements.These are alllinkedtobonus payments that aregiven outifpositiveefficiency gainsare made.
Allcosts aremonitored,and one-
offmachinedparts aredesigned andmanufacturedin-house to improve runtimes
Thecompany hascompleted its firstacquisition with thepurchase of LestersLogistics,creatinga groupthatcan nowoffer afull packagingsupplysolution, from creation andproductiontostorage anddistributionofgoods
Theother finalistswereJenks & CattellEngineering,Wednesfield andWeatherite, West Bromwich
WinnerMegan WinupfromGMS Security Services with Neil Thomas Theproud team from Lesterswith theManufacturingChampion award AsurprisedMegan is announced as thewinnerofthe apprenticeaward Enjoying thenight aremembers of theLesters partyatthe drinks receptionReturningawards nightgives £3k boosttocharity
john.corser@mnamedia.co.uk
Therewas plenty of fun andlaughteralongside wild celebrations as the Express&StarBusiness Awards madeits long-awaited return.
Theregion’s premierbusiness awards wasstaged forthe firsttime since2019– afterthe 2020 and 2021 awards hadtobecalledoff due to thecoronavirus pandemic.
Theblack-tie three-coursedinnerinthe EBCTechnologySuite at WolverhamptonRacecourse also raised moneyfor Wolverhampton-basedcharity Promise Dreams
Guests made donationsand took part in aHeads andTails competition to win£200. Winner Dave Fisher from GreatBridge-basedtube manipulation specialistsFormbend then most generously donated his prizetothe charityaswell.
It took thetotal raisedto£2,915 andBillyHutchinson, managing director of Burntwoodpackaging business Lesterschipped in with another£85 to take it to £3,000
JOHN CORSER
AaronJames wasthe host at Wolverhampton Racecourse
Guests enjoying thefun at theExpress &StarBusinessAwardsdinnerthat wasstag
William Johnson,Alison Gallagher-Hughes and Nick Gallagher-Hughes from
EXPRESS &STAR BUSINESS AWARDS 2022 #WINNERS W #WINNERS
Theteam from Metallisation lineupfor thecameras at thedrinksreception that openedthe night
Doubleaward winners Lesterscelebrating theirsuccess on thenightThe team from Young Business of theYear award winners USPSteelsgoinguptoreceivethe award on stage
NikkiYeomans,
charitymanager for
PromiseDreams ed
in theEBC
TechnologySuite
at Wolverhampton Racecourse.Steve Allen, Paul Faulknerand DavidJackson
#WINNERS
Guests enjoying theHeads andTails gamewith raisedsomuchmoneyfor awardscharity PromiseDreams
EXPRESS &STAR BUSINESS AWARDS 2022
EXPRESS &STAR BUSINESS AWARDS 2022 #WINNERS W #WINNERS
YOUNG BUSINESS OF THEYEAR WINNER: USPSTEELS
Ki ng sw in ford-bas ed USPSteelsoutstanding recordofgrowthhelped it to land theyoung business of theyearaward.
HenryCarverofcategorysponsors CarversBuildingSupplies made thepresentation.
Judges were impressed by the steelstockholdingcompany’s outstanding success storysince tradingbegan in 2017
USPhas achieved a fivefoldincrease in annual turnover to £100 million
It also enjoysexcellent staffrelationsasaresultofits apprenticeship programmeand policy of rewardinghardwork.
Fantastic Operations director Doug Hill said:“It is fantastictohavewon.It is agreat achievementand it is nice to getrecognition of thehardwork of ourteamoverthe five to sixyears
“Ithas been really difficult times. Everyone hasput in alot of hours andthe wholeteamhas contributed to this
“Thistrophyissomethingreally nice to take back to theoffice.”
OwnerGlynCostigan wasalso a
finalist in thebusiness person of the year andUSP wasinthe finalfour forbusinessofthe year.The steel stockholderhas grownrapidly since it wasformedin2016 andbegan trading in January2017.
TheKingswinfordbusiness, whichoffersstructuralsteel flat rolled products, now employs38at Gibbons Industrial Park USPstarted with onelarge table basedina smalloffice andinthe firstyeardespatched34,000 tonnes
Thebusinesshas invested heavily in young people andhas workedwith Nova trainingtobring apprentices to thebusinessand slowly grow the workforce.Currently sixmembersof itsteamhavesuccessfullycompleted apprenticeships at USPSteels and earned permanent contracts.
In 2019 it rebrandedfromUnited Sheet&Plate Steels to USP Steels By theend of 2021 thebusinesswas despatching105,000 tonnes of steel from the34,000 four yearsearlier
Thepandemicpresented anew challenge andits firstmajor hurdle. USPmanaged to operateaseffectivelyaspossiblethrough clever staffrotations to minimise Covid risksyet maintain itsdespatchesto meet customer demand.The business wassupplying many keyNHS contractsand it wascriticaltoofferanimproveddeliveryservice so it began despatchingonweekends andexpandedoperational hoursto 24/7 to help achievethis.
Thesignificant growth delivered improvedprofitability andMr Costigan hasreinvestedthese profitsbackintothe business by buying of anew four-acresiteinKingswinford
Thetotal projectinvestmentis about£10 million andthe move is duetotakeplace in theautumn.
Theother finalistswere: JL Drinks,Kingswinford; School of Coding,Wolverhampton and SMARTBalustrades,Burntwood
GROWTH ANDINNOVATION AWARD WINNER: LITTLEDESSERT SHOP
Wolverhampton-basedLittleDessert Shop’sperformanceinadaptingduring thepandemichelped it land theGrowthand Innovation Award.
RomanAslamzada,headoffranchise andoperations, said:“It is absolutely amazingtohavewon.Itwas an honour to be chosenfromsomany great finalists.
“I want to thankeveryone forsupportingus.”
JamesLanefromsponsors HomeserveFurniture Repairspresented the trophy to theexcited teamfromLittle DessertShop.
Judges said that thebusinesshad achieved incredible growth whilefacingthe unprecedentedchallenge of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Achievements included expanding bakery production andopening 20 new stores
Mr Aslamzadasaidthatanother40 sitesweresoontobeopenedand Little DessertShopaimed to hit100 sitesby theend of 2023
Thebusiness, whichhas itshead office at GorsebrookRoad, wasableto open newstoresagainst allthe odds during thepandemic LittleDessertShop, whichopened its firststore in Wolverhamptonin 2015 offering waffles,crepes,cheesecakes, cookie doughtand gelato,has growntonow employ390 people Thenationallockdownin2020 meantthatdine-in stores had to close andthe company’sstoreswerenot madetohandledeliveriesand takeaway.
Thebusinesschose to plan forthe future andonceagain innovatethe brandand head towardsagoalofunprecedented growth in unprecedented times.
It launched auniquedeliveryand takeaway model.
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Little DessertShop on stageafter winningthe Growth and Innovation Award
Proud members of theteamwith the YoungBusinessofthe Year award Theteam from USPSteelsposefor the camerasatthe drinks reception
EXPRESS &STAR BUSINESS AWARDS 2022
#WINNERS FAMILYBUSINESSOFTHE YEAR WINNER: FORMBEND
Tube manipulation specialists Formbend took home theFamilyBusiness of theYearAward.
Judges said that theGreat Bridge companywas atruemulti-generational Black Countryfamilybusiness with thethirdgenerationnow at thehelm.
They were impressed with how thebusinesshad grownateach stageand said it wasapparantthat both working thereand beingacustomercreated asense of pride
JonathanDudleyfromsponsors
Crowemadethe trophypresentation
Managing director JamesHateleysaid: “Thisisall aboutour employees.”
He also said he wanted to thank theExpress &Starfor putting on such awonderfulevent.
“Wehavebeenwaiting along time forachance. We originally appliedin2020whenthe awards couldnot be held,” he added,
Mr Hateleysaidhis grandfather hadstarted thebusiness back in 1966
“Itwas agreat year forfootball andfor Formbend,” he added, Jamestookonthe business from hisfatherMarkHateley with busi-
ness partnerStuartSefton. “We have sincebuilt up Formbend to what it is today,” he explained.
Theprivately-owned business in CharlesStreet,wasstarted by John Hateleyand offers tube bending, formingand brazingand weldedas-
BUSINESS PERSON OF THEYEAR WINNER: JAMESLANE
JamesLaneofHomeserve
FurnitureRepairs was thrilled to land theBusiness Person of theYear award.
Mr Lane waspresented with the awardbyJan Jennings from sponsors Richardson
He said:“Therewas some really toughcompetition anditfeels amazingtohavewon
“I really feel quiteemotional.”
Judges said that he displayedinstinctive business skillsand acumen, whichhad provedusefulduringCovid,where hisquick thinking ensured therewas workfor histechnicians
Family
They addedthathemadethe business seem morelikeafamilythana workplace duetohis strong teamethic
Mr Lane struck outonhis ownsa furniturerepairerin2004. HomeserveFurniture RepairsinBrierley Hill nowemploys248 andisthe largestnationalfurniture repair company forretailers andmanufacturers and theinsurance andwarrantysectors
In 2008-2009, when the financial crisis wasfeltthroughoutthe world, thefurniture industry didnot escape, andthe largestclientofHomeserve wentintoadministration, andput the future of thebusinessatrisk. It was almost 70 percentofthe customer base,and meantredundancieshad to be made forthe business to survive.
Allthe growth in the five yearsofthe business hadbeenalmostwiped out.
semblies usingawiderange of materialsserving avariety of sectors. Thecompany,which employs40, still pridesitselfonbeing afamily business at heartwithregular team building exercises charityworkand employeeoutings
JohnHateley after20years of ownershippassedthe helm on to hisson Mark Hateleyin1986along with technical director Paul Welborn FollowingMark’stakeover of thebusiness, oneofthe biggest
formbend
tube manipulation •welded assemblies
improvements wasthe acquisition of the19,000sqftfactory in May 1995,thiscamewiththe introduction of atoolroom.
It wasalwaysJohnHateley’s aspiration to grow thebusinessand this move to thenew premises enabledthe companytogrowsignificantly overthe next fewyears, by attractingnew customers from many differentsectors
Experience
In 2017 Mark’s sonJames joined thebusinessaftercompleting an apprenticeship at alarge engineering companyand gathering10years of experience within theindustry.
Paul broughtStuart Sefton –a family friend –intothe business Stuart started as theoperations managerbut with thesupport and guidance of Paul andMarkprogressed to become manufacturing director.InNovember 2020 James andStuartSeftoncompleteda management buyoutofFormbend putting them at thehelmand allowingMarktoenjoy retiremen.
Theother finalistsin thecategory were AspenLeisure,Wolverhampton; School of Coding,Wolverhamptonand Weatherite Group, West Bromwich.
Based at the heart of the UK, founded in 1966, Formbend is your one-stop shop for outstanding technical expertise in tube manipulation &welded assemblies.
Specialising in tube bending, end forming, brazing &welded components from avast range of materials across awidevariety of sectors, working closely with local specialists to offer our customers acomplete line side solution.
Mr Lane came up with theideaof moving into thefurniture insurance/ warranty market.Thismeant that allrepairworkrequired on furniture through theinsurancewould be done by Homeserve.
Mr Lane hasbuiltupacustomer base that includes everymajor furniture retailer
Formbend Limited, Units 4&5, Charles Street, Great Bridge, West Bromwich, B70 0AZ, 0121557 0555
email@formbend.com www.formbend.com
Our mission is “Tomaintain our position as aworld class leader in tube manipulation and welded assemblies by manufacturing high-quality products and providing world-wide customer delight.”
WinnerJames Lane with Jan Jennings Family Business of theYear award winners Formbend with JohnathonDudley, right, from sponsorsCroweEXPRESS &STAR BUSINESS AWARDS 2022 #WINNERS W #WINNERS
SMALLTOMEDIUMSIZED BUSINESS OF THEYEAR WINNER: LESTERS
Family-owned Lestersin Burntwood receivedthe SmalltoMediumSize Business Award.
Adrian Cutler from law firm Higgs, whosponsoredthe category, presented theLesters’teamwith theaward
Managing director BillyHutchinsonsaidhefeltabsolutelyecstaticas thewin made Lester adoublewinneronthe nightafter also taking home theManufacturing Champion award.
“Itisrecognitionofeverything thatweare doing.Tobeappreciated externally is agreat feeling,”he added.
Mr Hutchinsonsaidthatwinning theaward wasdowntothe whole team at Lesters.
Judges said Lesterswas an excitingbusinessthathad evolvedhugely over thelastfew yearswithlarge investments in automation
Dynamic
They foundthatthe dynamic leadership teamwas continually pushingfor furtherefficiencies through technologyand driving forward ambitiousgrowthplans
Lestersisheading toward being oneofthe Black Countryand Staffordshire’sfastest-growing manufacturers.
Astrategicexpansion plan –focusedoninvestmentintechnology, people andcomplementary acquisition –will seeitmove towardsa£25 million turnoverby2024which will create afurther 30 newpositions
Thecompany in Mount Road whichformedin1983, currently employs 60
It specialises in bigbox packaging, providingmillionsofcorrugated boxes, largeformatpackaging andheavy-dutycases fora wide
rangeofindustries. Thelast12 months have been transformational forLesters whichhas been boosted by thesignificant national surgein online shopping
It hasseensales soar by 120per cent andhas takenon15new staff. Thegrowthhas been drivenby investmentinskillsand,importantly,a £7 million investmentprogramme that hasresulted in the installation of anew TCYJumbo Casemaker(the firstofits type to
BEST MARKETINGCAMPAIGN WINNER: GMSSECURITYSERVICES
Thecreativecampaign from GMS Security Serviceswhich hashelped to change theimage of thesecurityindustry sawthe growingBlack Countrybusinessland theBestMarketing Campaignaward.
HumanresourcesdirectorRachel Freemansaid: “Wewereso shockedtohearour name –and really pleased
“Itisawin forthe wholeteamat GMSSecurityServiceswho putina lotofhardwork.
“The campaign to getmorewomen into security wasagreat success. We couldn’t be happiertohavereceivedthisaward.”
Exciting
Judges said they lovedthe campaignwhich supportedwomen lookingtostart anew andexciting career.
Thecampaigngot fantasticexposure,including beingfeaturedon theBBC’s Midlands Today, andall forarelativelysmall budget.
Louise Burnsfromsponsors
MNADigital made thepresentation to thethrilled teamfromGMS Security Services
WomeninSecuritywas acam-
paignthatwas launched by GMS Security Services to encourage morewomen to take up thediverse career opportunitiesthatare now availableinthe security sector as part of theeconomicrebuilding from Covid-19
The17-year-old company, which is basedatWarrens Hall Riding School,OakhamRoad, Tividale, employs 500deliveringsecurityfor anumberoftop brands including Jaguar Land Rover,Aston Martin,
CEMEX UK,Neoviaand Kerry Foods
Thesocially-conscious marketingand communications campaign waslaunchedbecause thesecurity sector facesa national challengeto overcome perceptionsaroundsecurity beingonlya career choice for women limited to working thedoors fornightlife
In realitythere area host of otheropportunities availablein theindustryfor women including
be operationalinthe UK)and the impendingarrival of aTCY N6 3 colour casemaker machine.
Theseacquisitionshavehelped thecompany reduce lead times andincreasecapacityfromacombined180 boxesper minute to over 360–essential if it is goingtomeet plannedexpansion targets.
Lestersalso hassome of themost knowledgeablepackagingprofessionalsinthe industry,withmore than 100years’combinedexperi-
ence.Ithas also invested heavily to create acustomerservicesteam that is dedicatedtomaking sure it keepdclients informed of theirorderand delivery status
Thefamilybusiness hasdeep rootsinBurntwood andmanyof itsteammembershavebeenwith Lestersfor many years Theother finalistsinthe category were;Nant, Bilston; Metallisation,Dudleyand Lord Combustion Services,Oldbury
technology-driven andcommunity-basedroles
WomenInSecuritysaw GMSput theBlack Countryatthe forefront of drivingmorewomen to engage with thesector, earningnational andinternational coverage
As part of aPRand marketing campaign,WestMidlandsMayor Andy Streetendorsedthe campaign, andwelcomedGMS’s efforts forsupportinghis jobs plan that involvesgetting 100,000peopleback
into good-quality employment in theregion within twoyears
GMSisa real BlackCountry success story, deliveringhighquality security services to blue chip customers whilegivingbacktothe communityand breaking social barriers
Theother finalistsinthe category were TillymintCommunications from Stafford andthe Black CountryChamber of Commerce forits Black Coutry 2.0campaign.
Theteam from Lestersonstage celebrating successinthe category GMSSecurity Services with theBestMarketing Campaign award ThedelightedLesters team head to thestage afterbeing named winners TheGMS Security Services team at thedrinksreception before theawards