M.E.N. Business of the Year Awards winners
THE region’s top companies are today celebrating after picking up M.E.N. Business of the Year Awards.
The triumphant firms were revealed during a glittering ceremony at Manchester’s Principal Hotel.
More than 350 guests turned out for the prestigious event, which marked its 25th anniversary this year.
Winners came from sectors including manufacturing, technology and food, with a special Mitchell Henry Prize and Judges Choice award being handed out.
The winner for the firm with a head office outside Greater Manchester but with significant operations within the M.E.N. circulation area went to Warrington-headquartered supply chains giant IESA.
It beat intu Trafford Centre, Chiesi and ThoughtWorks.
The winner in the category for firms with a turnover of £100m or more went to Bury-based Milliken European Airbag Products, beating stiff competition from The Regatta Group and Morson Group.
In the category for firms with a turnover of £50m-£100m, the winner was Rochdale-headquartered web hosting firm Zen Internet, winning over Brookson and DOMU Brands.
Carrs Foods International, based in Wythenshawe won in the turnover between £25m - £50m. It beat off stiff competition from Mobica and Housing Units.
The triumphant winner in the turnover of £10m - £25m was Inspire, ahead of EDM and Manchester Central Convention Complex.
North-west nursery chain Kids Allowed won in the turnover £5m - £10m category.
The businesses edged out Francis Kirk Group and Liars Club Holdings.
In the turnover under £5m category, the winner was Shield Safety Group, which won out over AccessPay, Manchester Metrology, and Exclusec Security Solutions.
The Young Business of the Year title went to Real Handful, which pipped Candour Logistics, Gorilla Accounting and Innside.
This year’s Barclays Judges’ Choice Award went to The Regatta Group.
This award aims to reward a business that has made a wider contribution to the region, as well as having a strong 12 months. A special Mitchell Henry Prize gong was presented to Morson Group.
In honour of the founder of the M.E.N., this award recognises a business or person that has made a lasting contribution to the Greater Manchester region.
The headline sponsors for the awards are law firm Hill Dickinson, business advisers PwC, recruitment giant Robert Walters, Manchester Airport and Oman Air, Barclays and Brewin Dolphin.
Category sponsors are Bolton School and Salford Business School.
The event was hosted by news presenter Nicholas Owen.
M.E.N. business editor Shelina Begum said: “The awards continue to recognise and celebrate the achievements of businesses of all shapes and sizes and at all stages of their growth journeys.”