WINNEROFBUSINESS OF THEYEAR

Theremarkable growth in turnoverand profits by USPSteelsofKingswinford over thelast five yearslandedthe top prizeinthe 2023 Express &StarBusinessAwards.

Express& Star managing director Matt Ross handed over the Business of theYearaward to the thrilled teamfromUSP,just12 monthsafter winningthe Young Business title.

USPsucceeded HomeserveFurniture Repairs, nowEmmiera Group, whowon the2022award.

Judges saidthatUSP Steels, whichwas oneof five finalistsin thehotly-contested category really stood outdue to itshugegrowth.

Thecompany at Gibbons IndustrialEstate, whichlaunchedin 2017,was praisedfor itsinvestment in staffwelfare.Judges were also impressedbythe investmentthat thecompany hadmadeinits new premises whichopenedlastyear.

Managing director Ryan Baraks said he wasproud andhumbled to have wonthe topaward.

He said that USPwas quite grounded andknewwhere it had come from to achievesuccess

USPoriginated as adivisionof United Steels in 2008,justasthe global recessionkickedin. Owner Glyn Costigan boughtthe steel stockholding business whichbecame USPeight yearslater.The business hasgrown to be selling 15,000 tonnes of steelamonth

Mr Baraks said themovefrom itsold home on thesameestatehad given thebusinessextra facilities andresources. “Weare still bedding in andgetting ourfeetunder thetable,but thefoundations arein placefor USPSteelstoachieve further growth,”headded. l TheExpress &Starsponsors thebusinessofthe year category andMrRosssaidhe spentthree days outinthe fieldvisiting finalists, whichhad been a“joyfuland amazing” experience.Hesaid: “One keytheme shonethrough –strength in thefaceofadversity.Manybusinesses faced unique challenges duringthe pandemic andstareddown theabyss wonderingwhether they wouldsurvive “Necessity is themotherofall invention andmanyofthose here tonightmadeinnovationthe key enablertomeetand exceed customer expectations in achallenging environment.”

He said that judges had been impressedby theinvestmentinstaff welfareof finalists. He thanked allsponsors andsaidthatwithoutthemthe newspapercould not showcasethe finalistsand winners.