Business Awards 2024 - Meet The Winners

Massiveindoorplaybarns –gravitydrop-slides,astroracers,helixslides,mini3Gpitch&more!

Acresofoutdoor play–includingracingzipwires,grasstoboggantrack,TreetopTowersclimbing frame&Farm-u-laOnego-karts!

Farm trailerrides *– findoutwhat’shappeningdownonthefarmwhenyouvisit

Animal talks &interactions –livereptileshow,rabbit&guineapigpettingandlearnaboutouranimalslarge&small!

TheteamfromPlay@ LowerDrayton Farm were thrilled to take home the Family Business of the Year award.

Business partners Raymond Bower andVal Jamesreceivedthe awardfrom JonathanDudleyofsponsors Crowe.

Farmer Mr Bowersaiditwas areal familybusinessand he washonoured to winthe category.Events director Valsaid: “Weare just very proudtobe thefamilybusinesswinner.Itisrecognition forall thehardworkthathas been done.Overthe course of theyear we have 66 staffworking forusincludingsomestudents in theirholidays.”

Diversification hasbeenat theheart of thesuccess of LowerDrayton Farm overmanyyears

“Weare still afarmand continue to farm as well as everything else we do thesedays,”saidMrBower Threeyears afterits launch,Play@ LowerDrayton Farm is establishedas oneofthe leadingfarmattractions in theMidlands.

Thefarmpark, betweenPenkridge andStafford, is open allyeararound forfamilies to enjoy

Oneofthe greatest successes has been school visits.Between the20212022 and2022-2023 academic years, the number of school visits grew by 270 percentfrom40to108.

Brierley Hill business Alloy Wire International tookhomethe Manufacturing Championaward.

Managing director TomManderwas delightedtosee thebusinessinNarrowboatWay,Hurst Business Park, recognisedfor it manufacturingprowess.

“Wehavenever done an awards like this before andIdidn’tthink we would come outontop

“I am so pleasedthatwehavewon andI’m thrilled forour team. It is all down to theguys– they areworld class

at what they do,”hesaid. Mr Mander said that AlloyWireInternational was allabout thesum of itsparts

“There is greatteamworkand aspecialculture at AWI.

“Towin an awardthatreflects that special cultureisamazing,” he added, AlloyWireInternational is the UK’s leadingmanufacturerofround, flat andprofile wire in more than 60 exotic alloys

Thecompany wasformedin1999 andemploys 33

AWIhas growntohavea 6,000-strong global customerbase spanning18different markets.

Theteam from Play @LowerDrayton farm on stageatthe awards ceremony

JamesGill,RyanCooper, Matt Cobb andJoshLambe from thewinners AWI

EXPRESS &STARBUSINESSAWARDS2024

UK

Door Training WINNER OF YOUNGBUSINESSOFTHE YEAR 2024

The firstaward of theevening went to UK Fire Door Training.

Managing director JohnMillard said it wasan“amazingfeeling”toberecognisedas YoungBusinessofthe Year

“I’m thrilled to have won,but it is alldown to agreat teamatUKFireDoorTraining,” he said.“Ithink that this success will help us to grow as we have abig expansionplan ahead.

“There isplentymoretocome from us in thefuture.”

Andy Brabazon from sponsors Carverspresented theaward to theStaffordshire business that is on course to top£1million annual turnover

Thecompany,based at ModularCourt,Enterprise Drive, Four Ashes, was started with amodest£10,000 investment

UK Fire Door Training,which employs five, sellsonline andholds classroom andpractical fire door trainingcourses

It wasestablished underthe leadershipof Andrew andPauline MillardinApril 2021 with day-to-day operations managedbytheir sonJonny Millard.

At theheart of itssuccess hasbeeneffective leadership anda management ethosthat is steepedincollaboration andinformeddecision-making.

It hasrevolutionisedthe fire door training industry by replacingoutdatedmethods with comprehensivecoursesthatare designed with akeenunderstanding of varied learning styles

Marketinghas involved harnessingthe powerofGoogleads ande-mailmarketing.

Thebusinesshas also invested heavilyin itsown staffdevelopmentwithafocus on professionalgrowth. It is nowdeliveringaround1,000 courses ayearand planstodiversify into newtrainingareas such as retrofittrainingand extinguisherhandlingin thefuture.

WINNEROFBUSINESSOFTHE YEAR 2024

Fast growingIncoContracts wascrowned Business of theYearinthe Express& Star Business Awards 2024.

Delighteddirectors SamNortonand DanCottrellsaidthatInco’ssuccess wasdowntoateameffort. “For us it is aboutour people.Without them we would be nothing,”saidMrNorton.

Mr Cottrell said theteamofstaff at Inco had putin an exceptionaleffort.

Inco,which hasbeengoing for14 years, underwent amanagementbuyoutbackin 2020

Mr Norton said thebusinesshad grownfrom£12 million turnover to one that wastargetting£40mthis year Judges praisedthe company’’s

strong links to localcharities andgood causes

Theprincipal contractor,based at DunstonBusinessVillage, near Stafford,delivers hundreds of turnkey commercialrefurbishment schemes. When Dave Cotterill andSam Nortoncompletedthe MBO, thecompany employed 13 andrevenueswere£12 million

Both hadspent several yearsas contractsmanagersprior to thedeal, supporting former managing director ChrisIngram.

Ledbythe passion, tenacity and youthfulenergyofthe newmanagement team, Inco Contractshas posted record-breaking£36msales,driven by newofficesinthe NorthWestand theSouth giving nationwide coverage. Staffnumbers have also almost trebled to 38

UK Fire Door Training movedtoits current state-of-the-art training facility near to WolverhamptoninOctober

Thebusinessisnow poisedfor thenext phaseofgrowthwithaclear vision to cement itsstatusasa leadingtrainingproviderfor thebuilt environment, both in theUKand in-

ternationally. UK Fire Door Training hasa sense of prideinits past achievements andan unyielding optimism forthe future

Itscommitmenttoexcellence is reflected in a4.8 Trustpilot rating,atestament to theefficacy andrelevance of itsCPD approvedand FireQual recognisedprogrammes.

UK Fire Door Trainingwerepresented withthe YoungBusinessofthe Year awardduringthe presentation evening

Inco Contractscelebratewinning theBusiness of theYear award

Starwinners celebrateat E&Sawards

JOHN CORSER

john.corser@mnamedia.co.uk

The150th anniversary celebrationsfor theExpress& Star got into full swingwiththe newspaper’sglitteringbusiness awards dinner.

Theblack-tieevent,which celebrateseverything that is great about business in theBlack Countryand southStaffordshire,was held at theUniversity of Wolverhamptonatthe Hallscomplexfor the firsttime.

Thereweretwo specialrecognition awards.Theyweremadeto JohnDonovan from JJXLogistics, Kingswinford,who waspraisedas an inspirationalmanager andexceptionalrolemodel,and apprentice MatthewRandle, of Dreamland, for hisworktotransform thebusiness Theawards, whichwereattended by nearly 350guests, were hosted by Des Coleman, theCentraltelevision weatherman andactor

Theevening raised£2,505for the Midlands AirAmbulance basedat Cosford.

Express&StarEditorMark Drew on stageaddressing theguests

Mike Brown, left,and Matt Randle, of Dreamland, BrierleyHill, with Suzi Perrywho presentedMatthew with hisspecial recognition award

Tony Kirk of TopGear Tuning getting in thecelebratory mood

Special guestTVpresenter Suzi Perryspeaking at theawards

West Midlands MayorRichard Parker giving hisspeech

Allsmilesonthe night as this signedshirt wasoffered for auction

TomVater from BloomsMenswear,left, and City of Wolverhampton

CouncilleaderCouncillor SteveSimkins

HostDes Colemanonstage with SarahMoorhouse andGailArnold

winnersweredelighted to receivetheir awardAll

Jonathan Smith– APC WINNER OF BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR 2024

TheAPC’s chiefexecutive

Jonathan Smithcould not be at theawardstoreceive theBusiness Personofthe Year trophy duetoother commitments.

Butspeakingafterthe awards Mr Smithsaidthatitmeant theworld to himtohavewon andeveryone at the business wasreallyproud of theaward He hasbeeninhis position with the Cannock-basedindependentparceldeliverynetwork fornineyears

Judges saidtheywereinspiredby hisstrongvaluesand passionfor the business as well as hisappreciationfor hiswider team.

Mr Smithwas said to be making greatuse of technologytodrive efficiency butatthe same time waslookingafter hisstaff through training anddevelopmentaswellasequal opportunityand wellbeingprogrammes.

TheAPC hasgrown to have around 100depotsnationallyand hassortation centresatCannock andEssington.

Mr SmithsaidThe APC’scustomer base was32,000small andmedium-sized businesses

“The keytoour success is knowingwhatweare good at andsticking to it andnot beingdiverted,” said Mr Smith.

The APC is proud to have won two awards at this year’s Express &Star Business Awards

Business Person of the Year

Jonathan Smith CEO Employee of the Year Lydia Hopley Assistant QHS&E Manager

Sincejoining Mr Smithhas faced the challenges posedbythe widerindustry andbusinessenvironment head-on andhas transformedThe APCintoan employer of choice forawiderange of employeesfromall backgroundsand experience levelsand created an environmentwhere people cangrowand progress

Last year,healso ledanumberof investments, includinginvestingin40 newdouble-deck trailerstoits fleet.

When thebusinesshired him, the boardwas lookingfor someone with industry clout, whounderstoodthe challenges thesectorfaced,and the importance of valuingits peopleasa number onepriority.

If you’relooking for anew career and not just ajob, join our team in Cannock and be part of the UK’sindustry leading, overnight parcel carrier

TheAPC CEOJonathan Smith

Anotherofthe

Membersofthe Inco Contractsteam celebratewinning Businessofthe Year

Massive investment in new machineryand infrastructure helped Metelectowin the Growth andInnovationaward.

ProudmanagingdirectorKevin Draper said theaward successwas ahugetestament to thewhole teamatMetelec

Mr Draper said that Metelechad experienced ahugeyearover thelast12months

In IrelandMetelec movedtonew premises that wouldenableittogrowinApril andthe move from Walsalltothe newmulti-million poundheadquartersatFeatherstone, near Wolverhampton, hasbeencompleted

“Ithas been abrand newstart forthe distributionbusiness,”heexplained

Recognised

Mr Draper said he wasreallypleased to be recognisedbythe Express&Star.

“I want to congratulate thenewspaper for its150th anniversary –our owngroup celebrated itsown 200thanniversary last year,” he said

“Whatwehavebeentryingtodoistakea traditionalindustrythrough modernisation andexploring newmarketsincluding electrification andthe transitiontogreen energy

“Getting this awardisa huge recognition forwhatour teamhas been doing.

“Thisaward is forthe wholeteamwho have been absolutelysuperb throughthe move and in keepingusgrowing,” said Mr Draper

Judges were impressedbythe levels of investmentthe business hadmadeinnew ma-

chineryand infrastructure to provideasustainable supply chain.

Deliveringvalue anda high qualityservice forcustomers wasalsoanimportant factor

Metelec, oneofthe UK’s leadingmanufacturers anddistributorsofspecialistcopper products, is basedatHiltonCrossBusiness Park

It hashad along-standingpresenceinthe West Midlands as ametal stockholderbut the last year hasseenthe business move to the next level, developing as asupplychain solution provider to theelectricalindustryand as amanufacturerofaddedvalue components

ThelargerheadquartersatFeathersotne

hasallowed Metelectomaintainindustry-leading stocklevels, whileaddingspace forthe newmachinery needed forfuturemanufacturing

Thenew building offers first-classfacilities, includingmulti-functionalrooms for staffevents, high specification showersand modern amenities.

Metelec’sbusinessmodel goes farbeyond beingatraditional supplier,withanadvanced manufacturingdesignservice capable of producing specialist, bespokecopperproductsto customerspecification at remarkable pace

Thebusinessoperatesamachine capacity reservationprogramme with itsverticallyin-

tegrated parent productsupplier. This allows Metelectoorder specificproductsbymachine at very shortleadtime, enabling afastand responsive serviceand helpingtooptimise working capital. Metelec’scustomers canoftenrequireproducts at shortnoticeas their ownconstructionprojectsare fluidand can developatpace.

Usingthe latest manufacturingdesign software in combination with acomprehensive stockrange,Metelec has thecapability to producebusbars andkitsofparts forswitchgearassemblymodules.These maybefor one offrequirement or long-termrepeatorders.

Metelecismakingasignificant contribution in EV charging infrastructure by supplying anddeveloping thecopperbusbarsolutionsusedinchargingstation feeder pillars andwithinthe switchgear andtransformer systemsnecessary at thechargingstation/ grid interface.

AI is also fuelling anotherareaofgrowth with an increaseindatacentres. Copper has amassive role to play in powering these huge data centres–and Metelec’sbusinessplanis to capitalise on this revolution by developing theproductsand services required Metelecisatrusted supply chainpartner to agrowing number of switchgear specialists, servingawidevariety of sectors.

Thebusinessalsoservesthe high growth areasofdatacentresand electric vehicle charginginfrastructure andemergingopportunitiesinwide-scaleelectrification,and infrastructure associatedwiththe greenenergy transition.

Apprenticeofthe Year was Sophie Chester, whoworks forASSAABLOY Opening Solutions in Willenhall.

Shesaidshe wasabit shockedto have been called to thestage butwas really happytobetakinghome the award.

“I thinkitisrecognition forthe business as awholeaswellasmyself.

“Itisareallygoodcompany to work for,”addedSophie, whohas been at the business for18months.

Shereceivedthe awardfromNeil Thomas of sponsors TheBlack Country&Marches InstituteofTechnology.

Knowledge

Sophie impressedthe judges by developinga detailed knowledge of her employerand thecompany’s products andwas foundtodisplay outstanding servicetoits customers.

Herdrive andfocus hadmadeher an integral part of theteamand someone whowas relied upon by hercolleagues.

Sheisdescribedbythe companyasa rising star andleaderofthe future and is said to have hadapositive impact sincejoining in October2022.

Sophie is oftena firstcontact point forcustomers of ASSA ABLOYOpeningSolutions

Sophie offers firstlinesupport to the company’ssales, fieldand technical teams

Sheworks in an extremely complex

business unit supportcustomers within criticalnationalinfrastructure, originalequipmentmanufacturing channels andshe seamlessly navigates differentsectors such as healthcare, education, studentaccommodation andmanymore.

This ability to adaptand excelin such ademanding market notonly highlights herversatility,but showcases herasanrolemodel forapprenticeships, as sheismanagingtasks on par with colleagues whohavebeenworkingin theprofessionfor many years.

Herenthusiasmfor acquiringknowledgeineveryfacet of customer service is describedas commendable.

Membersofthe Metelec team with theGrowthand Innovation trophyatthe awards ceremony

Sophie Chester with heraward

OF EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 2024

Employee of theYearwinnerLydia Hopley said she was“shockedand very surprised”tohavewon.

Shehas workedfor TheAPC at Cannock for five yearsand is Cannockborn andbred.

Shesaidshe couldn’t wait to take the trophybacktoshow to hercolleaguesat the firm

“I wasupagainst so many greatnominees it wasa surprise to win.” Lydia, health andsafetyadministrator, received theaward from JohnBrookes of sponsors WombourneWindows.

Judges said that they were impressed by theoptimism andcommitmentshe had shown.

Shewas describedasa good communicatorwithgreat determinationand clear vision

TheAPC chiefexecutive Jonathan SmithsaidLydia hadplayedanimportant role in thecompany achievingthe gold ROSPAhealthand safety awardfor the firsttime.

“Safetyisthe highestpriorityfor The APC.

“Webelieve that if you have asafe workforce you have ahappy workforce.”

Mr Smithsaidthathewas very proud to seeher recognised at theawards.

Lydiajoinedthe independentparceldeliverynetwork in 2019

Over thelast five yearsshe hassupported multiple areasofthe business before landingher feet firmly in thequality, health andsafetyteamatthe national sortationcentre in Cannock.

Shebegan herjourney at TheAPC as part of thenetworkservicesteamproviding valuable supporttodepotsand customers, maintainingThe APC’shigh standardsofservice.Duringthisrole, Lydiaquickly establishedher strong listening skills andthe ability to workmethodically

Throughouther time in thecustomer relationsteam, Lydiadeveloped herpassion forhelping others andinJune2020, sheapplied foranew role within The APC’squality,healthand safety teamas health andsafetyadministrator, which gave herthe opportunitytofurther develop herskillsand turned herpassion for helpingothersintoareality

Heroutstanding workethic wasrecognisedbyher peersand TheAPC’s senior leadership team, andshe waspromotedto theroleofquality,healthand safety advisertwo yearslater

Shehas been instrumental in driving best-practiceacrosshealthand safety practices; reviewing all risk assessments, implementing Covid-19 guidelines,and continually developing health and safety trainingmaterials.She hasalsoinvested her time and attention in raising awareness around mental health in thebusiness

Lydiaissaidtohavegoneabove andbeyond in supporting thebusinessand has playedanactiveroleinmanyexternal events andcampaigns, andrepresented thebusinessatcareers fairs. Lydiaalso ledaninternalcampaignto providefreesanitaryproductstofemale colleagues acrossboththe dayand night operations, helpingtosavethe business over £500 ayearbyremovingchargeable dispensers, andinstead, providingthe products forfreeinall facilities acrossthe site

Thequality,healthand safety team has enabledthe business to achieveconsistent year-on-year reductions in incidents and accidentsalong with achievingsilverRoSPAcertification forthe fourth consecutive year

Lydiahas been testamenttothese efforts, andwas recently awardedcolleague of theyearfor hercommitmenttothe business anddriving forwardhealthand safety initiatives,.

ColinRann, operations director at The APC, said:“Lydiamarkedher values and commitmenttothe business from day one,sharing with colleagues herdesireto buildacareerwithThe APC, not just a job. She’scommitted,professionaland is truly dedicated to improvingthe health, safety andwellbeing of ouremployees; the resultsofwhich areevidencedinthe business recently achievingthe RoSPAsilver awardfor thefourthconsecutive year.”

WINNEROFSMALLTOMEDIUM SIZED BUSINESS OF THEYEAR2024

An exceptionalrecordon exportinghelpedAddfield EnvironmentalSystems land theSmall to Medium-sized Business of the Year category.

Alldepartmentsfromthe Burntwood business were represented on the company’stablesat theawards.

Managing director DerekCarr, who hasmorethana decade of experience in theincinerationand thermaltreatment industry,saidhewas very proud to winthe award.

“Thisisnot just forthe companybut

forthe teamand recognises alltheir hard work,”hestressed

He said that Addfieldwas making a real difference around theworld

Since2007ithas gone on to export to 150countries around theglobe

Thegrowthofthe business wasexceeding 25 percentayear.

“There areexcitingtimes ahead forAddfield. Theaward will help motivate us andassistwithour ongoing growth,”MrCarradded. On theday afterthe awards aspecialbreakfast waslaidonfor theteamas athank you andtodisplay theaward.

Joel Nixonfromcategorysponsors HiggsLLP presented theaward.

Employeeofthe year LydiaHopleyreceives heraward from John Brookes of sponsors Wombourne Windows

TheteamatDudleyCanal and Tunnel Trustwas delighted to be namedHospitality, Leisure andRetailBusinessofthe Year.

Trustchief executiveTraci Dix-Williams said theaward wasall down to theteam.

Shesaidthe trust’sstory went back 60 yearsand startedwithtwo young lads who didnot want to seethe Dudley Canaltunnel closed.

“There issomethingfor everyone nowat Dudley Canaland Tunnel Trust,”she added.

TrusteeIan Watsonsaidhecould notbelievethatthe charityhad won

“I’m really chuffedatthisconsidering we were up againstsomethingsofantastic as the RAFCosford AirShow

“Itisall down to Traciaschief executive, ourteamofstaff andall of thevolunteers who give so much time.”

Dudley Canaland Tunnel Trust’sboattrips have been operatingfor more than60years

TheformerDudleyCanal Trust, which includes Dudley Canaland Tunnel Trust Enterprises, is nowaleading BlackCountry visitorattraction.

It operates from itsbaseatThe Portal on Birmingham NewRoadofferingguided, educationaland informativetrips into caverns that are425 million yearsold throughtunnels andwaterways dating from theIndustrial Revolution

Thetrust,which employs30, hasinvested in beinga vibrantpartofthe area as well as beinganambassador fortourism forthe wid-

er region.Asacharitabletrust it is dedicated to preservingauniqueand importantgeological andindustrialheritage.

It hasbuilt newtunnelstocreatesafer and more engaging interpretationsand routes andadapted its fleetof five boatstobemore environmentallyfriendly, accessible andsafe by beingbattery powered.

Recently thetrust hasundertakena 3D laserscanofthe environment, above-ground, below-ground andunderwater to help it betterunderstandthe structural integrityofthe cavernsand tunnels.

During lockdown thetrust securedfunding andaddedinterpretationand activities.This included informationtrailsabout theindustrialand geologicallandscapes, boatsand canalnetwork, alearningthrough play themed boat area foryounger visitors andaddeddigital andhands-onexhibitions to itsfreeBiffa ExhibitionGallery

It also developed alarge activity area dedicated to educatingchildrenabout theimportanceofcaringfor thecanals, wildlifeand the area around them

2022 sawthe launch of paddleboardtours through thecaverns andithas engaged awider audience.Nearly2,000 paddleboarders and kayakers have takenupthisoffer

Thetrust’s volunteering programgives people opportunitiestoget involved, give back to thecommunity,makefriends and learnnew skills. It wasrecognisedin2022 with theQueen’s VoluntaryService Award andone of thevolunteers received aBritish Empire Medalin2023.

www.pallet-track.co.uk

Thenew Employee Wellness Excellence Award went to Wolverhampton-basedPallet-Track.

Head of HR SarahHayes saidshe wasproud to seethe company’sefforts rewarded.

Chiefexecutive Stuart Godman said it hadbeenarealteameffortand he wasdelighted to seethe business recognisedinthisway

Judges saidtheywerewon over by thecompany’s engagement with their localcommunity andpartners, with staffoften volunteering to help with keylocal projects

Pallet-Track wassaidtohavea strong companyDNA focusedonsafety,employeewellbeing andhavingfun

Thepalletised networkhas itsbase at TitanDistributionCentre,Millfields Road,Ettingshall, where180 are employed

Pallet-Track hasastrong retention record,withmanyofthe staffcelebratinglong-term work anniversaries. Morethana fifthofthe workforce have more than 10 years’ servicewiththe logisticsbusiness.

Pallet-Track pridesitself on service, innovation,strengthand lastingsymbiotic relationshipsand supporting colleagues with theirsuccesses,their challenges,and theiroverallwellness.

Chiefexecutive Stuart Godman proudlyleads thebusinesswitha people-centricagendaand non-hierarchicalstructure,where everyonefromthe

executives on theboard,tothe team in thewarehouse,has theexact same importance andrespect.

Many colleagueprogrammesand initiativeshavebeenintroduced,coveringwellness, environment, culture, flexible policies as well as an ongoing commitment to learning anddevelopment.All of whichhavebeenwellreceived by theteam

This year Pallet-Track celebrated its20thyearinbusiness with internal celebrations included commemorative fleecesfor everyoneinthe teamand an eventheldat theBlack CountryLiving Museum with food, drinks,and bingo

Dudley Canaland TunnelTrustonstage afterreceiving theiraward