Cornwall Business Awards - May 2009

Business champions crowned

Local success stories honoured at Cornwall Business Awards

An innovative Saltash company has been crowned Cornwall's Business of the Year, as the cream of the county's companies were rewarded at the Cornwall Business Awards.

Composite Integration took the coveted overall title alongside the award for Business Innovation of the Year in recognition of its groundbreaking work in creating new, environmentally-friendly methods for precision-moulding large plastic components.

Since its launch in 2002, the company has become an international leader in its field, making a significant contribution to Cornwall's economy by investing heavily in local training and research.

The presentation was witnessed by 300 of Cornwall's business and public leaders, who crowded into St Mellion International Hotel, Golf and Country Club to see the winners revealed and hear some well-chosen words of advice from straight-talking jewellery magnate Gerald Ratner.

Martin Brooks, chairman of organiser Cornwall Development Company, said: "The Cornwall Development Company is delighted by the way, year after year, businesses in the county rise to the occasion and we have been very impressed by the quality of entries this year, which set a new benchmark. The winners are all achieving spectacular success in their markets and we take our hats off to them."

Run by the Cornwall Development Company in conjunction with Business Link and the South West of England Regional Development Agency, the Awards were judged by such high-profile figures as the Eden Project's Tim Smit and Virgin Atlantic CEO, Steve Ridgway.

While most parts of Cornwall had local representatives among the winners, Newquay had particular reason to celebrate.  International medical filter leader Pall (Newquay) added the award for Business Improvement Through People to its haul from 2008, while Errant Surf Holidays' founder Chris Thomson was named Cornwall's Young Business Person of the Year.

Camborne and Redruth finished the night with honours even:  TRAC Services' Sarah and Jonathan Trethowan jointly won Business Leader of the Year, and Lyn Thompson, whose Milkwood Publishing grew from a kitchen table enterprise to start the successful Whistlefish gallery chain, took home the Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Other winners included celebrity chef-acclaimed Cornish Sea Salt, which earned the Marketing Strategy of the Year award, luxury hotel Budock Vean for its exemplary Customer Focus and St Agnes surfwear firm Finisterre, picking up the hotly-contested Best Website title.

Undersea expert Large Diameter Drilling, of Penryn, was named Best New Business in Cornwall, Bude-based Zoeftig was crowned Best Exporter for its domination of international airport seating markets, and energy-saving innovator Somar International received the Best Diversification prize.

Past winner T.J. International of Padstow showed consistency by reclaiming the award for Best Use of Technology and colourful toy manufacturer Marbel was awarded Best Growth Strategy.

A special ovation was reserved for the winners of the Young Enterprise South West award, the 'A Day & A Half' team from Newquay Tretherras School, with its innovative "Glubz" sleeve allowing parents and children to hold hands in cold weather.  The team will go on to represent Cornwall at the regional finals in Bristol later this year.

Business Link chief executive Adam Chambers enthused:  "Tonight has been an inspirational experience . It is sensational to see so many talented and ambitious businesses in Cornwall and such advances being made in important global markets such as energy efficiency."

Stephen Bohane, Head of Business Development at the South West of England Regional Development Agency, added:  "The South West RDA invests in Cornwall to unlock business potential. It is really encouraging to see the businesses here tonight that are growing a forward looking, knowledge based economy in Cornwall."

Cornwall Business Awards 2009:
THE WINNERS.

Cornwall's Business of the Year:

Winner of Winners Award for Business of the Year
sponsored by Business Link
and
Business Innovation of the Year
sponsored by The Eden Project
Composite Integration Saltash
Nick Blandford of the Cornwall Development Company said: "Composite Integration has been making great strides towards cleaner, more efficient methods of injection-moulding that put them leagues ahead of their competitors.  The company is a real asset to Cornwall, and underlines the county's reputation for technical and environmental excellence."

Business Improvement through People
sponsored by Cornwall College Business
Pall (Newquay) St Columb
Nick Blandford:  "Pall's work creating internationally-acclaimed, life-saving medical filters requires the utmost expertise. They achieve that through high-class training - their investment in local people is exceptional."

Customer Focus
sponsored by HSBC
Budock Vean Hotel nr Falmouth
Nick Blandford: "For a hotel, where customer service is always paramount, to win an award in this category is proof positive that they must be going above and beyond the call of duty.  The Budock Vean Hotel has made putting the customer first less of a work ethic and more a way of life."

Best Exporter
sponsored by UK Trade & Investment
Zoeftig Bude
Nick Blandford: "In Zoeftig, we have a truly world-class business right here in Cornwall.  By strengthening their local roots at the same time as growing a powerful international presence, Zoeftig is really putting Cornwall on the global stage."

Best Website
sponsored by actnow
Finisterre St Agnes
Nick Blandford: "Finisterre's website boasts a rare combination of slick, simple navigation and a sense of genuine personality. The site represents everything that Finisterre is so well known for - a passion for surfing and an ethical lifestyle - so it was the perfect choice for this award."

Marketing Strategy of the Year
sponsored by Ginsters
Cornish Sea Salt Porthallow
Nick Blandford: "There can be few markets as daunting to break into as the culinary salt sector, where a few gigantic names have had their own way for so long.  It's testament to the superb marketing strategy of Cornish Sea Salt that they have not only made their mark, but have done so with such aplomb, to rave reviews throughout.  I'm sure this is just the start!"

Best Diversification
sponsored by Cornwall Chamber
Somar International Threemilestone
Nick Blandford: "Somar is 15 years old, but with the level of diversification in the last year, you might be forgiven for thinking the company brand new. Somar's recent innovations have netted big business endorsements and millions extra in turnover - great news for the environment and the Cornish economy!"

Growth Strategy of the Year
sponsored by SWRDA
Marbel Lostwithiel
Nick Blandford: "Marbel has transformed itself over the past couple of years from a small toy distributor to a major player in its industry.  With a fearless approach, dynamic young local talent and sheer grit and determination, they've expanded their scope and presence phenomenally."

Best New Business in Cornwall
sponsored by Worldwide Financial Planning
Large Diameter Drilling Penryn
Nick Blandford: "Large Diameter Drilling has recognised the potential in Falmouth and Penryn as a centre of excellence for the marine, engineering and renewable technology industries, and now the company's own expertise and global reach is adding to that international reputation.   Not bad, for a business that began in a back room in late 2007!"

Young Business Person of the Year sponsored by First Great Western
Chris Thomson of Errant Surf Holidays Newquay
Nick Blandford: "It would be easy to put Errant Surf Holidays' rapid growth purely down to the indomitable spirit, passion for surfing and sheer hard work of its founder.  It should not be forgotten, though, that Chris has also shown enormous business acumen in recognising and maximising a fantastic niche market."

Best Use of Technology
sponsored by BT
TJ International Padstow
Nick Blandford:  "TJ International's philosophy has always been to combine the benefits of experience and tradition with the very latest technology, so in one sense it is no surprise to see them collect this award.  However, to invest so much in new equipment under the current conditions really does show admirable commitment to the company's principles."

Business Leader of the Year
sponsored by NatWest
Sarah & Jonathan Trethowan Camborne
of TRAC Services Ltd
Nick Blandford:  "TRAC Services has grown substantially over the last year, and the credit can be given to the excellent leadership at the helm.  Steering the company through the downturn, in the face of blue chip competition, required careful planning and a genuine business nous, and Sarah and Jonathan have those attributes in spades."

Entrepreneur of the Year
sponsored by Coodes
Lyn Thompson of Milkwood Publishing Redruth
Nick Blandford:  "Nothing is more gratifying than seeing a business grow from one person's dream into a successful enterprise trading on all levels.  Lyn Thompson puts a lot of love and hard work into her products, and that dedication has been reflected in the wonderful success of Milkwood Publishing."