The Car Buying Group is the latest winner of Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month Award. Established in 2014, it is the fastest growing online car purchasing website in the UK that offers a fair, fast and hassle-free way to sell a car online. In the last two years it has grown from a team of one to fourteen with a substantial turnover and profit.
Alison Palmer, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel said, “The Car Buying Group has demonstrated considerable growth in terms of finances and team members in a short space of time. The company benefits from the experience of successful entrepreneur, Tom Marley, with the support of three shareholders. The judging panel was impressed with the speed with which they have made a profit and with their ambitious growth plans.”
Tom Marley, Car Buying Group MD commented: “We are honoured to win our first award as business of the month! We’ve worked incredibly hard to have experienced such fast growth and we have ambitious plans to continue to progress at a great rate. It is nice to receive some recognition for the award and we’re looking forward to the annual ceremony next month!”
Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month Award was established in 1995 and is open to any business operating within the Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield areas. All monthly winners are automatically entered into the Business of the Year Awards which take place in July.
Huddersfield-based children’s and education services company, Pivot, have been awarded the latest Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award. Pivot Care and Pivot Educational Consultancy were established in 2013. Pivot Care aims to provide a secure environment for young people to flourish in with a view to them returning to their homes or adoption and, alongside this, Pivot Educational Consultancy provides educational support to the children’s home by supporting the young people from an academic, behavioural and psychological aspect and also supporting the schools they attend. They also work with numerous other schools across the Yorkshire area on assessment, behaviour, teaching and learning and inclusion and also as an approved national consultant for the Department for Education around the areas of Education Specialist and Brokerage Services.
Alison Palmer, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel commented; “Pivot stood out as having great entrepreneurial spirit while also having a considerable sense of social responsibility. They have created a company which bridges the gap between the education and social care sector in order to meet the needs of young people.”
Andrew Kitterick, Director of Education at Pivot, commented; “We are delighted to win the Business of the Month Award. We have a fantastic team who are committed to keeping children and young people at the centre of all that we do and we are confident that our business will continue to grow.”
Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month Award was established in 1995 and is open to any business operating within the Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield areas. All monthly winners are automatically entered into the Business of the Year Awards which take place in July.
Magic Rock Brewing Company Ltd is the latest winner of Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month Award. Magic Rock’s principal activity is the brewing of Craft Beers.
Magic Rock was set up in 2011 by Richard Burhouse as a result of inspiration from the burgeoning US craft beer market and a love of beer. Over the last five years, the company has established a highly respected brand within the market place supplying local outlets, national wholesalers and many export markets.
Deborah Melluish, Partner at Eaton Smith and a member of the judging panel commented; “Magic Rock impressed the judging panel with their rapid growth and commitment to the continued development of their brand. They have created employment opportunities in the local area and their future looks very positive.”
Commenting on their award, Richard Burhouse said; “We are delighted to receive the Eaton Smith Business of the Month award. This is an exciting time for Magic Rock, we are growing rapidly and have ambitious plans for the future. ”
Pennine Business Partners, a Huddersfield-based business support services company, is the latest winner of Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month award. The award was presented to them at the Eaton Smith offices in Huddersfield on 10th March.
Pennine Business Partners was set up by Steve and Lynn Bradley in February 2010 when they decided to use their skills to help other businesses in the area. The company offers outsourced business support services, specialising in marketing, human resources and health & safety.
Chris Taylor, Partner at Eaton Smith and a member of the judging panel commented; “Pennine Business Partners has demonstrated growth year on year both in terms of profit and client numbers. They have supported the local business community through, amongst other things, their work with the New Enterprise Allowance where they matched start-ups with mentors. “
Chris continues; “Eaton Smith has been running the business of the month awards since 1995 with the aim of rewarding businesses that not only contribute to the economy of the region but also inspire a collaborative business community.”
Commenting on their award, Lynn Bradley, HR Expert at Pennine Business Partners, said “We’re thrilled to receive the Business of the Month award and as a company we focus on supporting and promoting the local business community, so to receive that support back feels fantastic.”
Lynn went on to add, “Our business portfolio spans a wide range of industries locally and nationally from manufacturing and engineering to retail and the leisure industry and it is a pleasure to work with such a wide variety of clients. The award follows our most successful year to date and through being able to offer an extensive skill-set and fully inclusive service in HR, Marketing and Health and Safety, we have the confidence to keep expanding.”
Faith PR, one of the fastest growing PR agencies in West Yorkshire, is the latest winner of Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month award. The award was presented to them at the Eaton Smith offices in Huddersfield on 11th February.
Faith PR was set up in 2007 by experienced PR consultant Stefanie Hopkins. The company competes with and has won against some of the biggest agencies in the country and has grown from 3 people to nine people in two years. Faith is keen to form links with neighbouring businesses and to that extent launched a co-operative coffee shop in the mill building where they are based. More recently Faith has taken steps into publishing by taking over the license for the Kirklees/Calderdale edition of TopicUK magazine.
Alison Palmer, Partner at Eaton Smith and a member of the judging panel commented; “Faith PR has demonstrated consistent growth over the last few years and has, in fact, surpassed its own growth targets. We were particularly impressed with their diversified business streams which have grown out of demands from clients. Alongside their own business, the team at Faith also support local businesses, particularly start-ups by offering a hot-desking service.”
Alison continues; “Eaton Smith have been running the business of the month awards since 1995 with the aim of rewarding businesses that not only contribute to the economy of the region but also inspire a collaborative business community.”
Commenting on their award, Stefanie Hopkins said “We’re thrilled to have won Business of the Month - it’s nice to be on the other side of the fence for once as usually it’s our clients who have won this award! Faith PR’s growth is testament not only to our continued diversification but also down to the team who constantly strive to deliver the best for our portfolio of clients across the region. We’re determined to not sit still and continue to grow into the leading PR and communications agency in the area.”
ABS UK Ltd, established in 1989 in Brighouse, specialises in document production and print and document management, supporting a network of thousands of modern print/scan/copy devices to schools, businesses, charities and churches in Calderdale, Kirklees and across the north of England.
The Eaton Smith Business of the Month judging panel was impressed with the growth and employment figures of the company, as well as its emphasis on corporate social responsibility.
ABS set up the ABS charitable foundation in 2013 to support charities all over the world to help improve the lives of those less fortunate. To date the company has donated more than £18k to a Sri Lankan children's home which has helped the home build a new infirmary and install solar panels.
ABS also regularly fundraises for local charities and at Christmas 2014 supported Bradford Nightstop, a charity which provides a warm safe place to stay for young homeless people of the Bradford district, with a night on the streets, raising £2,000.
In 2014, ABS launched a Colleague Care Incentive, an annual employee recognition scheme to support staff in achieving their goals.
Chris Taylor, Partner at Eaton Smith and Business of the Month judge commented: “ABS UK Ltd have a clear focus and commitment to growing their business while also investing in the local community, both in terms of employment and charitable giving.”
Brett Abson, sales director at ABS UK Ltd said: “We are delighted to be awarded business of the month and to gain recognition for our charity work overseas and here in the local community.
“Continued growth is the cornerstone of our business over the next five years and we are keen to support local businesses and favour partnerships with local firms. We also strive to support our employees to help achieve their potential, with the aim of being known as a great company to work for in the local area.”
Business of the Month is run by law firm Eaton Smith in conjunction with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UK Trade & Investment Yorkshire.
Mr Flyer, Yorkshire’s expert leaflet distribution company is the latest winner of Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month. The award was presented to them at the Eaton Smith offices in Huddersfield on 10th December.
Mr Flyer was set up in January 2011 by Andrew Robinson at the age of 24. With nothing more than his entrepreneurial spirit and self-motivation, Andrew set up his marketing business in a friend’s small back room with just £50 start-up cost for some business cards and a cheap website. Four years later Mr Flyer now employs over 30 members of staff who all share his passion for providing a reliable, expert distribution service. The company provides door to door distribution services throughout the entire West Yorkshire area along with parts of North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Lancashire.
Deborah Melluish, Partner at Eaton Smith commented: “The judging panel was impressed by Mr Flyer’s commitment towards the creation of employment opportunities and job security as well as their emphasis on quality of service and sustained growth. They also stood out for their ambition, drive and plans for expansion.”
Andrew Robinson is keen to give something back to the community and has taken on new staff, in particular local people who were unemployed and living on benefits. Based on their success in Huddersfield and Leeds, the company is looking to set up offices across other major cities throughout the North of England and then progress to nationwide coverage.
Since 2007, Ascensor has evolved thanks to an exceptional team and has enjoyed year on year growth since incorporation. Their clients are based across the UK, present in all sectors and range from start-ups to multi-million pound turnover internationals.
The judging panel were impressed by Ascensor’s detailed application and impressive testimonials highlighting its recent growth including Ascensor’s investment in an international company to complement its UK team and the acquisition of a Brighouse based web design company. Ascensor also stood out for its innovation including developing Apps, in particular for clients’ internal use, to help improve their efficiency.
Andrew Firth is a keen advocate of employee engagement and reward through performance related benefit schemes and the re-investment of the company’s profits into the business has helped Ascensor become a leading player in the digital sector.
Commenting on the award, Andrew said; “We are over the moon to have won the award for October, it’s great recognition for our team’s hard work, and for the excellent growth we are enjoying as a result.”
Applegate Properties launched in January 2010 and at that time was a lettings business. Business has thrived and following the launch of a residential sales department in 2013, it now offers both lettings and sales. On the lettings side, it provides a wide range of services from advertising lettings through to full management of rented properties, both residential and commercial. On the sales side, Applegate ensures that it concentrates on excellent customer service, ensuring that clients are kept informed of feedback throughout the sales process and it offers help, advice and support to vendors to achieve successful sales.
The judging panel were impressed by the quietly confident nature of the application and the pro-active, progressive attitude of Applegate. To ensure high standards and to remain fully-informed in its field, it holds membership of several bodies, some being non-compulsory memberships. It has embraced technology - not only offering iPad viewings within its Holmfirth office, it has an e-signing system for terms of business, tenancies, brochure sign offs and so on, all with the intention of lessening the burden of paperwork on its clients and it has invested in lettings software to streamline the lettings process. The business has taken and retained an apprentice and holds weekly staff meetings to ensure all opinions and opportunities are considered and six-monthly training reviews are held to assess staff needs and goals.
Commenting on the award, founder Amy Wray said, “We feel extremely privileged to have won the Eaton Smith award, especially as there have been such a high calibre of businesses winning it in the past. I would like to extend a very big thank you to the amazing team that I work with, they all work very hard to maintain the high levels of standard and service that I set in my initial core values five years ago, which is what I believe sets us apart from other competitors”.
The Business of the Month Award is run in association with Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UKTI. It is open to businesses in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
Specialising in process engineering, engineering design and project management, the company can be called upon whenever a business wants to implement a new process, a new production facility, an increase in production or if there are safety or environmental issues. With the strapline “Making It Possible”, they have an impressive client list including many household names from across the chemicals, food and pharmaceuticals sectors and they benefit from repeat business and word of mouth recommendations which are a testament to their client satisfaction. Currently employing 25 staff, they are looking to expand further.
The judging panel were impressed by the confident nature of the application and the impressive array of services provided by this company in a niche sector. The company has been steadily growing over the years and, with plans to recruit further, the future is bright for Manrochem. The judges were also swayed by the level of investment Manrochem makes in its staff and its contribution to the local community. It actively supports several local interests from sponsorship to providing speakers at local school employment talks and it also provides work experience and placements for students from local schools, colleges and universities.
Commenting on the award, Business Director Edward Jennings said, “It is always nice to be recognised for our achievements and we attribute our success to a dedicated, professional and hardworking workforce. We also have a culture throughout the business of helping and assisting clients with whatever problems or requirements they may have. We recently attended the ceremony for the “Business of the Month” annual awards and the first class organisation, number and calibre of the attendees highlighted the importance of such a prestigious business award. Manrochem would like to thank all involved in our selection.”
The Business of the Month Award is run in association with Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UKTI. It is open to firms in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
Specialising in Internet development and building content management systems using Microsoft technology, Offroadcode was founded by the current MD Pete Duncanson working from home in 2006. They have expanded over the years, now employing seven staff and are based in Milnsbridge, Huddersfield.
In a very crowded market of web developers they identified a niche to allow them to flourish and expand. The focus is on a content management system called Umbraco which they build, develop, install, and maintain for clients, which is tailored to their specific requirements. This has allowed them to attract clients throughout the UK, including some high profile clients such as the NHS, Channel 4, Olympic Holidays, as well as a number of overseas clients in the USA, Australia and Scandinavia.
The judging panel were impressed by the steady growth the business has made over the years without overstretching themselves. Pete and fellow director James Young contribute to the local business community running an informal networking group called HuddsDigitals for local web developers. They are also speakers at Huddersfield University and at a number of industry based lectures around the world. With a recent large financial order for work placed by one existing client coupled with anticipated projected growth for the rest of this year and beyond, the future looks very promising for this growing small local business.
Commenting on the award win, Managing Director Pete Duncanson said, ‘It is a very welcome pat on the back for a very good year for us. This last 18 months has seen us really focus on growing the business and expanding our team in a way that maintains our commitment to quality. With the awards in their 21st year it means a lot to us all to win it.
Having recently celebrated their 8th year in business, Key Security (UK) Ltd is one of the largest and fastest growing security companies in this region. From their head office in Ossett they specialise in providing a wide range of security based services from CCTV installation and remote monitoring, mobile patrol and security guarding, key holding and alarm response, to stadium security and event and door supervision. With branch offices in South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the East Midlands they are able to offer services nationwide to a diverse client base which includes local authorities, property management groups, sporting stadiums, the NHS and other private sector companies and residential clients.
With roots firmly placed in the Wakefield region, Key Security is a major contributor to the local economy in terms of income and also in workforce employing 80 people across the group. Striving to achieve excellence in the industry and lead by example, Key is one of the top scoring SIA ACS companies sitting in the top 10% of all registered companies, and a regular supporter and fund raiser of the Wakefield Hospice, and a range of other good causes.
Commenting on the award win, Managing Director Kieran said, ‘there are a lot of excellent companies in the Yorkshire region. Winning this award and also being shortlisted in the recent Wakefield Business Awards is a great recognition of our efforts and credit to the hard work put in by all the staff. Everyone here has had a real boost from this news!’
Specialising in process engineering, engineering design and project management, the company can be called upon whenever a business wants to implement a new process, a new production facility, an increase in production or if there are safety or environmental issues. With the strapline “Making It Possible”, they have an impressive client list including many household names from across the chemicals, food and pharmaceuticals sectors and they benefit from repeat business and word of mouth recommendations which are a testament to their client satisfaction. Currently employing 25 staff, they are looking to expand further.
The judging panel were impressed by the confident nature of the application and the impressive array of services provided by this company in a niche sector. The company has been steadily growing over the years and, with plans to recruit further, the future is bright for Manrochem. The judges were also swayed by the level of investment Manrochem makes in its staff and its contribution to the local community. It actively supports several local interests from sponsorship to providing speakers at local school employment talks and it also provides work experience and placements for students from local schools, colleges and universities.
Commenting on the award, Business Director Edward Jennings said, “It is always nice to be recognised for our achievements and we attribute our success to a dedicated, professional and hardworking workforce. We also have a culture throughout the business of helping and assisting clients with whatever problems or requirements they may have. We recently attended the ceremony for the “Business of the Month” annual awards and the first class organisation, number and calibre of the attendees highlighted the importance of such a prestigious business award. Manrochem would like to thank all involved in our selection.”
The Business of the Month Award is run in association with Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UKTI. It is open to firms in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
Magic Rock Brewing Company Ltd is the latest winner of Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month Award. Magic Rock’s principal activity is the brewing of Craft Beers.
Magic Rock was set up in 2011 by Richard Burhouse as a result of inspiration from the burgeoning US craft beer market and a love of beer. Over the last five years, the company has established a highly respected brand within the market place supplying local outlets, national wholesalers and many export markets.
Deborah Melluish, Partner at Eaton Smith and a member of the judging panel commented; “Magic Rock impressed the judging panel with their rapid growth and commitment to the continued development of their brand. They have created employment opportunities in the local area and their future looks very positive.”
Commenting on their award, Richard Burhouse said; “We are delighted to receive the Eaton Smith Business of the Month award. This is an exciting time for Magic Rock, we are growing rapidly and have ambitious plans for the future. ”
Having recently celebrated their 8th year in business, Key Security (UK) Ltd is one of the largest and fastest growing security companies in this region. From their head office in Ossett they specialise in providing a wide range of security based services from CCTV installation and remote monitoring, mobile patrol and security guarding, key holding and alarm response, to stadium security and event and door supervision. With branch offices in South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the East Midlands they are able to offer services nationwide to a diverse client base which includes local authorities, property management groups, sporting stadiums, the NHS and other private sector companies and residential clients.
With roots firmly placed in the Wakefield region, Key Security is a major contributor to the local economy in terms of income and also in workforce employing 80 people across the group. Striving to achieve excellence in the industry and lead by example, Key is one of the top scoring SIA ACS companies sitting in the top 10% of all registered companies, and a regular supporter and fund raiser of the Wakefield Hospice, and a range of other good causes.
Commenting on the award win, Managing Director Kieran said, ‘there are a lot of excellent companies in the Yorkshire region. Winning this award and also being shortlisted in the recent Wakefield Business Awards is a great recognition of our efforts and credit to the hard work put in by all the staff. Everyone here has had a real boost from this news!’
