Orchard Valley Foods takes top prize at Shropshire Business Awards

The company, based on Lower Teme Business Park, Burford, Tenbury Wells, scooped the Company of the Year Award at the Shropshire Business Awards.

The gala awards ceremony was held at Telford's International Centre last night, with a crowd of more than 600 people from the local business community coming together to celebrate the successes of Shropshire's economy.

Company of the Year - Orchard Valley Foods, Burford

Outstanding Customer Service - Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust, Ironbridge

Best New Business - Champion & Reeves, Shrewsbury

Online Business of the Year - Cooking Marvellous, Shrewsbury

Technology, Enterprise & Innovation - Beaverfit, Church Stretton

International Trade Through Export - Newmor Wallcoverings, Welshpool

Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics - Boxall & Edmiston Gunmakers, Atcham

Best Small Business - 3PLUK, Oswestry

Apprentice of the Year - TDS Midlands, Telford

Business In The Community - Henshalls Insurance Brokers, Newport

Travel, Tourism, Leisure & Hospitality - Eaton Manor Country Estate, Church Stretton

Orchard Valley overcame competition from three Telford business – waste management company Reconomy, Rockford IT from Central Park, and Southwater Event Group, the owner of the host venue.

It marks a second major success for the food business, which opened a second site in Leominster last year to accommodate its growth, after it won a Queen's Award for Enterprise for its international trade in April.

"What a fantastic celebration of Shropshire business this was once again," said Richard Sheehan, chief executive of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, which organises the event.

"The shortlisted companies should feel very proud of their achievements, as once again we had a record number of entries to the awards.

"This year's winners have come from a diverse representation of business sectors which is really pleasing.

"I am told by the judges that Orchard Valley Foods is an extremely impressive organisation, and a worthy winner of this year's Company of the Year Award."

Other winners included Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust in the Company Service Award, gun maker Boxall & Edmiston in the Manufacturing Award, and Henshalls Insurance Brokers in the Business In The Community category.

Mr Sheehan added: "This was all taking place in the wake of the EU Referendum, which was a seismic moment for the UK's economy, and people were certainly talking about it in the room.

"The fantastic companies that were involved in each category demonstrate the strength and resilience of Shropshire's economy, and demonstrate that regardless of what comes next we have a vibrant business community that will continue to serve and represent the county with aplomb.

"The chamber is totally committed to supporting the business community through an uncertain and challenging time we will all see over the coming months."