Whitchurch haulier wins company of the year for second time

The boss of the haulier was perhaps expecting the company's own colours, a distinctive green, white and purple ensemble which can be spotted on roads everywhere, to pour down on the winners.

Instead, the celebratory ticker tape which cascaded over the surprised sponsors on the stage in front of 674 guests at Telford's International Centre was a rich red and gold, which looked much like the corporate colours of one of the firm's rivals for the award, Coverage Care.

The company had, perhaps, expected to miss out on the award. It might have seemed too much to ask, Ms Grocott thought as she sat back at her table, stage right, halfway back in the room, for the Whitchurch haulier to become the first ever business to win the Company of the Year award on two separate occasions.

But it wasn't a feeling that lingered for long. Seconds later, the new Mayor of Telford Leon Murray called forth on the 72-year-old business to join him on stage to pick up the top gong, the blue riband, the coveted Company of the Year prize from on stage.

"We didn't really expect to win again, but it is fantastic for us, for the people that work for us, and for the business as a whole," Ms Grocott said.

"We have been in Shropshire since we began, all our growth has been organic, and we strive to improve and enhance our business year after year.

"I went to the first awards event in 2001, when it was very small, and seeing the businesses here, and now we can see that the business community in Shropshire as a whole is very good.

"Shropshire is excellent for start-up businesses, but it is important for businesses like ourselves."

The technical hiccup – greeted with joyful cheers as was so much of the event – was perhaps the one, momentary glitch on a spectacular night of celebration for Shropshire business.

Otherwise, the night ran like clockwork, with dinner jackets and dresses draped over the shoulders, and smiles on the faces.

The event also saw the handover of the chairmanship of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, as John Clayton, who has held the role three times including for the last two years, wrapped the ceremonial chain around the shoulders of Keith Winter.

Peter Guy, of Shropshire Newspapers, was appointed his deputy, and Nicole Howarth of Global Freight his junior deputy, placing her in line to later become the county's first female chamber president.

• Shropshire Business Awards 2013 - winners and photo gallery