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 semblies usingawiderange of materialsserving avariety of sectors. Thecompany,which employs40, still pridesitselfonbeing afamily business at heartwithregular team building exercises charityworkand employeeoutings

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.

JohnHateley after20years of ownershippassedthe helm on to hisson Mark Hateleyin1986along with technical director Paul Welborn FollowingMark’stakeover of thebusiness, oneofthe biggest