Countdown to Shropshire Star Excellence in Business Awards coming to an end

The cream of the business crop will find themselves hailed at the grand awards event, which celebrates all that's great about our rich and varied business landscape.

Held next Thursday at RAF Museum – Cosford, the grand gala ceremony, the first Excellence in Business Awards marked on Shropshire's financial calendar, will demonstrate the most exciting companies in the county.

There's a broad variety of businesses in line for awards. Manufacturers making ramps for aeroplanes, continent-leading prototype makers, care homes, software designers, accountants, housebuilders, and a company that has learned a way to colour stainless steel products – they're all turning up on the night in the hope of walking away with recognition.

While there can only be seven companies emerging with the gongs on the night, every business to have been nominated can be proud of their achievements in coming this far.

In this supplement, we give a brief description of every company that is in line for an award, with a more in-depth look at the four riders in the blue riband Business of the Year category.

Strength

Reading through the nominations, it's quickly evident that there is huge strength in the region's businesses, which is demonstrated in a breadth of sectors, from the hills of Presteigne to the industrial estates of Telford.

Shropshire Star editor Martin Wright will be present on the night, and said: "We are all hugely excited about the arrival of the Shropshire Star Excellence In Business Awards, and I hope that everybody who is attending on the night feels the same way.

"It feels like a long time ago that we launched the awards, since when we have held a series of events heralding their forthcoming arrival.

"We have been delighted by the response we received from our sponsors, not to mention the scores of businesses who put their names forward for awards.

"It was incredibly difficult for the judges to narrow down the categories to just three or four finalists, and tougher still to pick a winner, but that's the name of the game, and each and every one of the winners will pick up their awards because of their genuinely extraordinary quality. Good luck to all our finalists, and our congratulations go to each and every one."

The event will be hosted by radio and television presenter Joanne Malin, and the guest speaker will be Squadron Leader Ruth Shackleton, team manager of the famous Red Arrows formation flying team.

The inaugural event will also see a grand raffle held in support of the event's chosen charity, Midlands Air Ambulance, featuring a great variety of prizes.

Midlands Air Ambulance, the only charity responsible for funding and operating three strategically located air ambulances serving six counties in the Midlands, including Shropshire, will benefit from the proceeds of the draw. The service carries out approximately 2,000 missions each year, each costing £2,500, and what is not widely known is that Midlands Air Ambulance receives no Government or National Lottery funding.

Each year the charity starts with nothing and relies entirely on generating donations local businesses, groups and the general public.

And a selection of fantastic items are on offer for those entering the grand raffle at the Excellence In Business Awards.

Here are some of the prizes on offer:

• The Red Arrows team has donated a unique prize to be raffled at the event – a VIP day out for two people to visit the Red Arrows at RAF Scampton.

• Leading independent jeweller T H Baker, has a network of stores throughout the UK, including branches in Shrewsbury and Telford. It is proud to be in partnership with Midlands Air Ambulance and has donated a pair of 9ct white gold, 0.33ct diamond studs, retailing at £550 for a raffle prize.

• Virgin Balloon Flights fly from over 100 locations across England, Scotland and Wales. They offer a range of flights and gift packages to suit every occasion. The prize on offer is a pair of weekday morning flight vouchers. The lucky winner and guest will soar to the skies in a Virgin hot air balloon and will be able to appreciate the beauty of the British landscape. The flight lasts for around one hour, with a champagne toast post-flight and a certificate endorsed by Sir Richard Branson to commemorate the experience.

• One of the finalists, The Gift Experience, has been established for just over 10 years and offers quality gifts for every occasion with their online service. Its website features a vast array of products and it offers an ever-increasing range of gifts that can be personalised to suit specific requirements to make them extra special. The company has donated a £100 gift voucher to spend online.

Next Thursday's event begins at 7.15pm with a drinks reception, with carriages at around 12.30am. It will include a dinner and the awards ceremony.

At a glance - the awards finalists:

Excellence in Innovation, sponsored by Elite Precast Concrete:

• Frame Wise, Presteigne

• GWR Fasteners, Oswestry

• Ra’alloy Ramps, Telford

Small Business of the Year, sponsored by D B Roberts:

• Bridgnorth Print Services, Bridgnorth

• Catering Centre UK, Telford

• The Gift Experience, Oswestry

• The Pontoon and Dock Company, Telford

Young Business of the Year, sponsored by Greenhous:

• AceOn Battery Solar Technology, Telford

• Bronze Software Labs, Telford

• Elegant Finishing Touches, Oswestry

• Pipekit, Shrewsbury

Manufacturing Champion, sponsored by Lloyds Bank:

• Proto Labs Ltd, Telford

• Salop Design & Engineering, Shrewsbury

• Seymour Manufacturing International, Sutton Maddock

Customer Champion, sponsored by Precision Colour Printing:

• Dyke Yaxley Chartered Accountants, Shrewsbury

• Telford College of Arts & Technology, Wellington

• The Limes, Wellington

Excellence in Learning & Skills, sponsored by TCAT:

• Hendra Healthcare, Ludlow

• Henshalls Insurance Brokers, Newport

• Whittingham Riddell, Shrewsbury

Business of the Year, sponsored by the Shropshire Star:

• Digiland, Telford

• Proto Labs, Telford

• Ra’alloy Ramps, Telford

• Saxonby, Shrewsbury