Shropshire Chamber Business Awards: Bridgnorth-based Grainger & Worrall named county's top company

The Bridgnorth-based firm, which employs more than 600 people, picked up the Company of the Year award at last night's Shropshire Chamber Business Awards.

The company produces castings for engines, working with high-end car makers including F1 teams. It also played a pivotal role in launching the £4 million Marches Centre of Manufacturing and Technology (MCMT), the industry-led training centre for young engineers in Bridgnorth.

It was up against strong opposition, with car dealership Furrows Ltd, building contractor Pave Aways and telecoms specialist Pure Telecom also up for the top award.

The night itself was a grand celebration of Shropshire business, with the hundreds of guests in attendance celebrating the achievements of the last year.

The ceremony also provided a reason to celebrate for a host of other companies across the county, including Whitchurch-based horse breeding specialist Stallion AI Services, which scooped the Technology, Enterprise and Innovation award, and Ellesmere manufacturer Fabdec, which was chosen as Best Manufacturer.

An 'exceptional' evening

The awards ceremony, organised by Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and held at Telford’s International Centre, was attended by about 700 people.

Chamber chief executive Richard Sheehan said: "The standard of the evening never ceases to leave me with a big smile on my face. This year's event, without doubt, was exceptional.

"The quality and amount of entries was exceptional, and the show which was put on was clearly a sight to behold and was a true reflection of the quality of Shropshire business. As the facilitator of the event, we were immensely proud.

"There can be no doubt business must and should be celebrated, and every one involved should be proud of their achievements

"We congratulate everyone who participated and hope they can join us for a bigger and better celebration in June next year."

Winners

The night's other winners included David Dexters garage in the Customer Service category, Lower House Equine Clinic and Beaver Bridges which were chosen as Best New Businesses, and CJ Wildbird Foods which won best Online Business.

TIA (GB) Ltd won the International Trade category, Shropshire Festivals and Salon Ten were named Best Small Businesses, and Morris Joinery won the Apprenticeships category.

The Business in the Community award went to Bridgnorth Aluminium, the Environmental Innovation award to Hobsons Brewery and the Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality award to The Shrewsbury Club.

The recognition of Telford’s business success was topped off when Jane Coward, of Furrows, won the annual John Clayton Award, which goes to an individual from business who has made a significant contribution to the Shropshire community.

Meanwhile, Telford-based Exotic Zoo won the inaugural Telford50 award, which was launched this year as part of Telford's 50th anniversary and aims to celebrate the role that companies play in the borough.

It was shortlisted alongside Capgemini, Fabweld Steel Products(FSP) and SP Services, and a public vote was launched to decide the winner.

Shropshire Business editor Carl Jones, who has been involved in the organisation of the awards since day one, was once again be master of ceremonies at the glittering prize-giving night.

This year's guest speaker was Army reservist Major Sandy Hennis, one of the six-woman Ice Maidens skiing team who made the headlines when they became the first all-female team in the world to ski unaided coast-to-coast across Antarctica.