RGS Ltd is a family run business established in 2004. They specialise in land investigation, laboratory testing, and providing geotechnical and environmental consultancy services to the construction, property development and insurance industries across the UK, as well as some international consultancy work.
Despite the construction industry having gone through its worst slump for decades the business has weathered this very well, having managed to identify and make in-roads into new markets, emerging as a more robust and resilient company. They employ 20 highly skilled staff mainly from the local area, are in the strong position of having a full order book for the rest of 2015 and are planning for a 20% level of future growth.
Kate Booth from the judging panel said “They are an impressive business with a good history. It is apparent that they have adapted to the changing economy, faced tough decisions but have come through difficult times well. We were impressed with their accounts and that they have secured investment to give them a sure footing going forwards. We also liked their quality achievements and contributions both through work with students and through their employment figures.”
Commenting on the award win, Managing Director Emma Lewis said: “We are delighted to have been judged as worthy of winning this award, which is testament to the quality of our staff and team work that goes into the services that we provide our clients. I’d like to thank everyone at RGS for their dedication and hard work, and also our suppliers and retained consultants, who all offer massive support to the management team on a daily basis”
Textile Innovations, which specialises in sourcing raw materials and finished goods for major UK and EU manufacturing operations, has won the Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award for May.
Managing director David Holdsworth was presented with the award certificate at a lunch ceremony at Eaton Smith’s Huddersfield office on 8 May.
The awards recognise and reward businesses of any size located throughout Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield who are excelling in their area - taking into consideration their contribution to the region, business growth and financial success.
Textile Innovations, founded by David eight years ago, has doubled its number of customers in the past twelve months and increased its turnover by 30 per cent, almost hitting the million pounds mark for the first time.
David Holdsworth is one of the well-known Holdsworth family who established John Holdsworth & Company, at one time the world's largest manufacturer of passenger transport upholstery fabrics, which was based at Shaw Lodge Mills in Halifax.
After the family firm was sold in 2007, David decided to put that expertise to good use with his new business, Textile Innovations. Formed in September 2007, the company works across key market sectors including healthcare, construction and passenger transport, sourcing materials to create products such as disposable surgical masks, rubber car mats and retail bags.
Kate Booth, of Eaton Smith and part of the judging panel commented:“We were very impressed with David’s strong history in the textile arena and his positive strides in growing his own business, which is clearly going from strength to strength. In addition, we were interested in David’s contributions to the region and his emphasis on working with other local businesses”
David Holdsworth, Director of Textile Innovations said:“This is a welcome step forward for our rapidly growing business. It’s fantastic to receive such independent recognition of all the hard work put in by our team and local associates. We are very honoured and this award has given us yet another boost to drive our businesses forward and support the local economy.”
Textile Innovations will compete for the coveted annual award in the awards scheme which is run by Eaton Smith Solicitors in conjunction with Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UKTI at an event to be held at the Cedar Court, Huddersfield on 3 July 2015.
Directors, Jonathan Scott and Chris Elliott, who were long-time friends one working for the Yellow Pages, the other for his own marketing agency, decided to pool their skills and set up their own marketing agency. This was back in 2008 and since then the business has grown steadily demonstrating an impressive 30% growth year on year.
Northern Media operates across Yorkshire and the North of England to a variety of clients from a range industries including construction and manufacturing, food and drink and professional services. They provide a full range of professional marketing services primarily to the SME sector including website development, search engine optimisation, branding, social media, graphic design and email marketing. They are also actively involved in supporting local charities and sporting teams which contribute to the local community, as well as being active in working with a number of local business networking groups.
The judging panel were impressed by the clear and honest ethos that the firm operates with and the impressive client list which they have grown and developed over the years, and with ambitious future growth plans they are gaining a reputation as one the leading design and marketing agencies in the region.
Commenting on the award win, Northern Media’s Managing Director Chris Elliott said: “Northern Media has come a long way in the last 2-3 years and it is great to receive recognition for our achievements. The award reinforces our commitment to growing the business through ambition, hard work and continuing to recruit young, talented and passionate individuals from the local area.”
Established in January 2014 the business is the brainchild of two electrical engineers, Kris Johnson and Mark Copley, who identified a gap in the market where one trusted multi-disciplined contractor could fulfil a client’s security, electrical and audio requirements, saving them the risk and problems sourcing from different suppliers.
Initially working from home proved impractical and as the business has grown they have moved into new premises at Marsh Mills in Huddersfield. With clients all across Yorkshire and beyond, Ti works throughout the UK providing services within domestic properties, student flats, high street shops, factories, offices and more. Specific success has been seen working closely with shop fitters to install and maintain public address audio speakers and cctv systems as well as warning alarms which are fitted at construction sites. This is very much a growth area given ever-increasing health and safety requirements, and the need to deter intruders from entering inherently hazardous zones.
The judging panel were impressed that in just over 12 months the business has grown to become a reputable business in a very crowded marketplace. Growing organically with plans to take on extra staff this year and being ahead of their projected financial targets hopefully the future looks promising for this good local business.
Commenting on the award win, Ti;s joint MD Kris Johnson said: “We are delighted to have been recognised for the quality of services we provide and the integrity of the business model we set out to achieve. Client satisfaction is our number one priority, but the endorsement of this award is a real pat on the back for the whole team.”
Fellow MD Mark Copley adds: “There is no disputing we have had a phenomenal year, and having already grown our team sooner than anticipated we are now looking for more qualified electricians to join us. We are very excited indeed, about what the future holds.”
This long established firm was founded in 1993 by Anne Lockwood and Andy Turner who having worked together at an international recruitment firm wanted to set up their own firm in their home town. With premises also in Leeds and Halifax First Choice Recruitment provides temporary and permanent positions in a variety of sectors from warehousing and manufacturing to customer service and the public sector.
The last year has seen the business work hard to develop new markets particularly in the engineering and hospitality industries which impressed the judging panel by demonstrating an impressive increase in turnover this current financial year of 19%. They also have the Investors in People accreditation marking them out as a very respectable business.
The panel was also impressed with their contribution to the region and local community with their support to a number of local charities and fund raising activities. Committed to their roots in Wakefield (still occupying their original office space in the city), and having recently opened a third premises in Halifax the future looks promising for this good local business.
Managing Partner Andy Turner commented “We’re very proud to receive this business award as recognition of the collective team’s hard work over the last 22 years, but especially in recent months. We’ve started the year on a real high, we’ve won several new contracts, gained lots of new clients and fully expect 2015 to be one of our greatest so far – winning this award is the ‘cherry on the cake’ and I’d like to thank everyone involved with such a prestigious accolade.”
J. G. Harrison & Sons, founded in 1951 by George Harrison from his Huddersfield home initially, is a local, family run business and UK supplier of lighting and electrical goods that today employs 45 people from across its Dewsbury, Halifax, Bradford and Rochdale stores.
John Harrison took over the business in the 1960s and remains managing director, now semi-retired, with son and sales director Chris Harrison taking a more proactive day to day role in the management of the business. The firm continues to serve the retail market, but puts the continued success down to the growth in its commercial offering.
Liaising with Kirklees Council to secure up to £5,000 grant funding, business development manager, Amanda Speight has upgraded in excess of 50 organisations’ lighting to low energy LED alternatives.
This includes Huddersfield-based Metrodent, a manufacturer and distributor to the dental industry. J.G. Harrison & Sons completed a £17,000 lighting upgrade within the manufacturer’s factory and offices, securing a £5,000 grant funding from Kirklees Council towards the upgrade.
The judges involved in selecting J. G. Harrison & Sons Ltd as the business of the month winner were impressed with J. G. Harrisons & Sons longevity in business. Kate Booth, Associate Solicitor at Eaton Smith who led the judging panel commented:“We were very impressed with J. G. Harrison & Sons application and felt that it clearly stood out against the others. It was clear that a lot of time and effort had been spent putting it together and it was very well presented. We liked the story of the firm, and the fact that it has weathered the recession well with steady turnover and avoiding redundancies. I was further personally was impressed that they employ 45 members of staff.
“We were impressed with their environmental products and service and thought that this would stand them in good stead. All in all, they were an easy choice for this month’s winner.”
Chris Harrison, Sales Director for J. G. Harrison & Sons commented:
“We’re overjoyed to win the award. We have been so busy running the business for more than 60 years that we have never entered anything like this before. The recognition is great and we’d like to thank our hard working team for finding innovative ways to continue such success.”
Established in 2001, m2r Ltd is a multi-award winning firm offering innovative and unrivalled recruitment services throughout the UK and overseas.
m2r Ltd initially focused on recruiting staff to a variety of sectors, but in 2013 rebranded and streamlined to make the 100% shift into education and training, now working exclusively with international schools, colleges, universities and private language centres handling the recruitment and expatriation of staff into China, Malaysia, and various Gulf countries including the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
The judging panel involved in selecting m2r Ltd as the monthly winner were impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the MD, Munir Mamujee in his efforts to seek business development opportunities in countries which are usually very difficult to operate in, through making regular trips to build up contacts and clients. The panel was also impressed with their contribution to the region and local community. Firmly committed to their roots in Wakefield all staff are local and they have developed a number of close partnerships with Wakefield businesses plus they actively promote the city when in the Middle East by presenting local guides and historical books, which as well as enhancing their profile has helped to put something back into the local community.
Managing Director Munir Mamujee said ”I am extremely proud to have won this award and it is a great achievement for the whole team who work extremely hard to support our growing list of international clients. We are looking forward to a great 2015 where we can really stamp our authority on the overseas education sector.”
Fresh Horizons Ltd is a not-for-profit Social Enterprise delivering a wide range of services from facilities management and construction to nurseries and libraries, housing and more. Starting out in 2002 by restoring a derelict farm house to create an enterprise centre and local employment for construction workers, they have gone from strength to strength now employing over 60 staff.
Focussing mainly in Kirklees they now manage 14 community centres and commercial properties and have renovated over 50 long term empty properties to create affordable accommodation, apprenticeship opportunities and employment for construction workers.
The judges considered that Fresh Horizons was a worthy winner of the Business of the Month Award owing to the wide diversity of its operation from property renovation, to running children’s nurseries and libraries. All their activities have as their goal the intention of helping people, creating sustainable employment and developing people and the communities they serve. Fresh Horizon’s growth in the number of employees and apprenticeships and services is commendable and their activities allow for and provide employment throughout the wider community.
Managing Director Mike McCusker said, “We are delighted to receive this award which reflects the hard work and dedication of our whole team across the many services we deliver. It is very rewarding that as a social enterprise can be judged so favourably against 'for profit' companies.”
The business was established by the current MD Gail Sykes and Director Anne Hirst in 2011, who after working in the care industry for a number of years and hearing about poor care providers and services took the decision to set up their own care agency with the fundamental aim of providing high quality services to vulnerable people within the comfort of their own home.
Burgundy Care operates in the private home care sector and specialises in helping people who have a range of mental health issues including dementia, schizophrenia, bi-polar, anxiety and depression among others, and also work closely with the NHS to help people with end of life care in their own homes.
The judges chose Burgundy Care Services as the Business of the Month winner giving them credit for starting out in a small office in a community centre with just Gail and Anne working on the business, and growing steadily predominantly by building up their reputation from word of mouth recommendations, resulting in a move to larger premises in July 2012, and now employing 25 staff all from the local area.
Director Gail Sykes said” We feel we are meeting our aim of providing high quality services and the whole team are very proud to receive this award.”
This long established firm of chartered accountants, business and tax advisors, have been acting for family businesses and private individuals since as long ago as 1903 when the business was founded and remained within family ownership until 2002. The current owners and directors Kevin Winterburn and Carolyn Atkinson have since remodelled and rejuvenated the business allowing it to flourish and grow significantly.
Despite this long history though Sheards has taken great care to ensure that it is a modern innovative firm which can service the ever changing needs of a modern day client whilst still providing a highly personalised service primarily to SME’s in Huddersfield and surrounding areas. In addition the firm is well known for their proactive efforts in working on a number of initiatives that benefit the local community,
The judges chose Sheards as Business of the Month winner as it has a good track record in the local business community and has displayed good growth over recent years and new services have been launched. Staff numbers have increased and the firm is active in providing apprenticeships and, including the apprentices, five members of staff are going through training for qualifications. Coupling those facts with the charity support carried out and, amongst other things, volunteer work via the MYCCI Mentor Scheme, the firm is a worthy winner this month.
Director Kevin Winterburn said ” At Sheards we are proud of our long history but are equally passionate about delivering a service that meets the requirements of today’s businesses. We are therefore delighted to have been awarded Business of the Month and that our hard work and dedication to our clients, employees and wider community has been recognised’.
Featherstone based business Millennium Care Services Ltd, have been awarded the Business of the Month prize for July which was presented to them on 7th August 2014.
Founded in 1998 the business originally started with one care home, but soon after found a niche market in offering support for adults with various learning disabilities through, care homes, supported living, activity centres and domiciliary care.
The company attracts revenue from both public and private sources and has a number of different clients other than the actual services users, including family or guardians, local authorities and health care commissioning groups. The group owns a number of properties ranging from a 2 bedroom terrace house for supported living, up to a care home with 19 beds, and has delivered strong organic growth over the last three years
The judging panel were most impressed with the strong growth that the group has shown whilst working in what is a very challenging and sensitive environment. Also by having around 250 employees currently and with planned openings this will increase to 300 by the end of 2014 the business has a significant impact on employment within the local communities served by Millennium in the region.
Managing Director Steven Clough said ”We are delighted to win this award that has recognised business excellence for over 20 years. We have a great team of people at Millennium and hopefully we can continue to help support more people in the future”.
Founded over 100 years ago, Hewitt & Booth is part of the John Brierley Group, an old established textile business which was started by the current owner’s great grandfather. In the past they specialised in manufacturing smokers pipe cleaners which at the time was a very large market. As this sector has declined over recent years, the company has had to develop new markets and now operates in many different specialist areas including medical, engineering, laboratories, craft, sports, gardening and textiles. The craft market is the largest by turnover closely followed by the medical industry.
The judges were impressed by recent strategic development plans which have been put into place to help drive the business forward including a business merger, on-going training on a range of lean manufacturing techniques for all staff, recruitment of sales and marketing personnel and the launch of a new website and associated branding.
Coupled with them being market leaders in their field and the only one in the UK, they can offer turnaround times which are around a third quicker than all of their overseas competitors. The future looks very promising for this long established local manufacturing business.
Managing Director Viv Jebson said ”We are thrilled to bits to have won the Eaton Smith “Business of the Month” Award, it’s great recognition for the abilities of the fantastic employees in this business to adapt to change as Hewitt and Booth has reinvented itself over time”.
Featherstone based business Millennium Care Services Ltd, have been awarded the Business of the Month prize for July which was presented to them on 7th August 2014.
Founded in 1998 the business originally started with one care home, but soon after found a niche market in offering support for adults with various learning disabilities through, care homes, supported living, activity centres and domiciliary care.
The company attracts revenue from both public and private sources and has a number of different clients other than the actual services users, including family or guardians, local authorities and health care commissioning groups. The group owns a number of properties ranging from a 2 bedroom terrace house for supported living, up to a care home with 19 beds, and has delivered strong organic growth over the last three years
The judging panel were most impressed with the strong growth that the group has shown whilst working in what is a very challenging and sensitive environment. Also by having around 250 employees currently and with planned openings this will increase to 300 by the end of 2014 the business has a significant impact on employment within the local communities served by Millennium in the region.
Managing Director Steven Clough said ”We are delighted to win this award that has recognised business excellence for over 20 years. We have a great team of people at Millennium and hopefully we can continue to help support more people in the future”.
Founded over 100 years ago, Hewitt & Booth is part of the John Brierley Group, an old established textile business which was started by the current owner’s great grandfather. In the past they specialised in manufacturing smokers pipe cleaners which at the time was a very large market. As this sector has declined over recent years, the company has had to develop new markets and now operates in many different specialist areas including medical, engineering, laboratories, craft, sports, gardening and textiles. The craft market is the largest by turnover closely followed by the medical industry.
The judges were impressed by recent strategic development plans which have been put into place to help drive the business forward including a business merger, on-going training on a range of lean manufacturing techniques for all staff, recruitment of sales and marketing personnel and the launch of a new website and associated branding.
Coupled with them being market leaders in their field and the only one in the UK, they can offer turnaround times which are around a third quicker than all of their overseas competitors. The future looks very promising for this long established local manufacturing business.
Managing Director Viv Jebson said ”We are thrilled to bits to have won the Eaton Smith “Business of the Month” Award, it’s great recognition for the abilities of the fantastic employees in this business to adapt to change as Hewitt and Booth has reinvented itself over time”.
J. G. Harrison & Sons, founded in 1951 by George Harrison from his Huddersfield home initially, is a local, family run business and UK supplier of lighting and electrical goods that today employs 45 people from across its Dewsbury, Halifax, Bradford and Rochdale stores.
John Harrison took over the business in the 1960s and remains managing director, now semi-retired, with son and sales director Chris Harrison taking a more proactive day to day role in the management of the business. The firm continues to serve the retail market, but puts the continued success down to the growth in its commercial offering.
Liaising with Kirklees Council to secure up to £5,000 grant funding, business development manager, Amanda Speight has upgraded in excess of 50 organisations’ lighting to low energy LED alternatives.
This includes Huddersfield-based Metrodent, a manufacturer and distributor to the dental industry. J.G. Harrison & Sons completed a £17,000 lighting upgrade within the manufacturer’s factory and offices, securing a £5,000 grant funding from Kirklees Council towards the upgrade.
The judges involved in selecting J. G. Harrison & Sons Ltd as the business of the month winner were impressed with J. G. Harrisons & Sons longevity in business. Kate Booth, Associate Solicitor at Eaton Smith who led the judging panel commented:“We were very impressed with J. G. Harrison & Sons application and felt that it clearly stood out against the others. It was clear that a lot of time and effort had been spent putting it together and it was very well presented. We liked the story of the firm, and the fact that it has weathered the recession well with steady turnover and avoiding redundancies. I was further personally was impressed that they employ 45 members of staff.
“We were impressed with their environmental products and service and thought that this would stand them in good stead. All in all, they were an easy choice for this month’s winner.”
Chris Harrison, Sales Director for J. G. Harrison & Sons commented:
“We’re overjoyed to win the award. We have been so busy running the business for more than 60 years that we have never entered anything like this before. The recognition is great and we’d like to thank our hard working team for finding innovative ways to continue such success.”
