Eaton Smith are delighted to announce that Off The Grain has been awarded the Business of the Month Award for May 2021. Off The Grain is a handmade furniture company based in Halifax who specialise in modern, hand-crafted products for the home.
Off The Grain was established in 2018 by Dominic Walsh who transformed a hobby into a thriving, seven-figure turnover business. In the last 18 months Off The Grain has adapted to the pandemic and business has grown further with an impressive 700 items leaving the workshop in a single week in 2020.
Chris Taylor, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel said; “Off The Grain is an impressive business that is thriving in its marketplace through high quality products, the passion of its leadership and the investment in its people and marketing. Off The Grain has ambitious plans for the future and is definitely one to watch. A very worthy winner of the Business of the Month Award.”
Dominic Walsh, Managing Director of Off The Grain commented on winning the award; “I would like to thank the judging panel for recognising the business with this award. The team here are very proud of what we have achieved and take great care to ensure that our customers are delighted with the products they receive from us.”
Off The Grain are the 12th monthly winner in the series and now go through to the Business of the Year Award which will be announced in July 2021.
Website: www.offthegrain.co.uk/
My Management Accountant (MMA), a company specialising in digital accounting, has been awarded the Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award and now goes through to the Business of the Year Award which will be announced at the beginning of July.
My Management Accountant was established in 2009 by Martin Bown who wanted to concentrate on the digital aspects of accountancy for owner-managed companies. The business has grown and works with many SMEs across the UK providing a level of support and advice to clients that far exceeds standard compliance services such as VAT returns and year-end accounts.
Deborah Melluish, Senior Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel said; “The judges were impressed with the company’s focus on high quality client service, innovation and its contribution to the community. During the pandemic MMA set up a peer support group offering free advice to clients and associates, offering help on everything from cash flow management to accessing loans and grants as well as providing a supportive space where business owners could voice their concerns. MMA supplied weekly updates on the latest government regulations and the outcomes of the daily Downing Street press conferences. The judging panel felt that this perfectly demonstrated MMA’s commitment to business in the region.”
Martin Bown, Owner and Managing Director of MMA commented; “I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of my team at MMA. We have worked hard to build a business that we are proud of and a working environment and culture that we all want to be part of. With ambitious growth plans we are excited for the future of our business.”
My Management Accountant is the 11th business to go through to the 2021 Business of the Year.
Stafflex, one of the leading recruitment agencies in West Yorkshire, has been named as the March winner of Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month Award.
Established in 2000 by Brian Stahelin, Stafflex provides thousands of quality workers each year to the education, office, industrial and engineering sectors throughout Yorkshire and beyond. The company boasts an enviable track record in terms of its contribution to the region, In the last year alone it has supported no less than 33 organisations and causes through sponsorship, from community galas to staff volunteering programmes.
Chris Taylor, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel said, “Stafflex is an impressive business. It has been very successful in a competitive marketplace and grown to become one of the leading agencies in the region whilst maintaining its original values of a family-run business, investing in its staff and infrastructure.”
Brian Stahelin, managing director at Stafflex commented; “We’re extremely proud to be recognised for this award. It is a testament to all the hard work and dedication from the Stafflex team as well as our incredible clients and candidates that have supported us over the last two decades.”
Stafflex are the 10th winners were the 2020-21 Business of the Month Award series. Due to the coronavirus pandemic the annual awards had to be put on hold and all winners have been rolled over to the Business of the Year 2021 which will be celebrated in July.
Website: https://www.stafflex.co.uk/
Award win for cyber security firm
Congratulations to Cognisys Ltd - this month's winners of the Eaton Smith Business of the Month award! The Halifax based cyber security firm has seen an average 25% growth quarter on quarter since the business was established. The business has achieved industry recognised certification with them now carrying Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO27001, ISO9001, IASME Gold GDPR Audit and CREST.
Cognisys was founded in 2017 by Steve Spence who saw an opportunity to set up the company with the aim of improving the cyber security posture of businesses. So far Cognisys has worked with almost one hundred organisations to limit their exposure to cyber threats and increase awareness of their existing vulnerabilities.
Andrew Pedley, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel said; “Cognisys has had an impressive amount of success since it was founded and the team already works with some of the best organisations locally, nationally and internationally. They clearly have the depth of expertise to have a very exciting future.”
Steve Spence, Managing Director of Cognisys commented on winning the award; “We’re delighted to receive this award. We are proud of the business that we are building and of the contribution we make to ensuring the success of other businesses by reducing their exposure to cyber threats.”
Cognisys is the 9th business to win the Business of the Month Award in the 2019/20 series. They will now go through to the Business of the Year judging panel, the results of which will be announced on 3rd July 2020.
Website: www.cognisys.co.uk/
Vizulate Digital, a full service digital marketing agency, has had its success recognised by winning the Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award for January 2020. Two of the Directors of the company, Scott and Mick Brant, attended the event at Eaton Smith’s offices to receive the award.
Vizulate Digital was established in 2014 to work with businesses looking to grow through strategic digital marketing. Working with both national and international brands, the team have delivered an average of a 600% return on investment for their clients.
Chris Taylor, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel commented; “Vizulate Digital’s application demonstrated how innovative their work is and how they are not afraid to push boundaries in order to differentiate their offering. They also have an impressive CSR record which includes giving opportunities to local University students as well as raising money for charities.”
Scott Brant, Director at Vizulate Digital said; “We are very proud to have our business recognised by this award. We have worked hard over to create a business that stands out in a crowded market place through delivering consistently impressive results for our clients.”
Vizulate Digital will now go through to the Business of the Year Awards which will be held on 3rd July 2020.
Mandate Systems, a company that specialises in Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (2000) is the latest business to win the Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award. Now in its 29th year, Mandate Systems helps companies to comply with Pressure Systems Safety Regulations that are set out by the Health & Safety Executive in order to provide a safe workplace.
The business has grown significantly in recent years, which has led to a sister company Mandate Solutions being created under the Mandate umbrella, also CoffeeSafe and PressureSafe. With their success came the opportunity to employ a number of people from the local area as well as being able to support the wider community helping local charities and junior sports clubs.
Deborah Melluish, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel said; “Mandate Systems’ application impressed the judges with their development throughout their years of service. Their passion for providing the best possible service for their clients stood out to the judging panel.”
Amy Kent, Managing Director commented on the award; “We’re really pleased to have been chosen for this award. Providing quality services for our customers is our main aim so it’s a real boost for the whole team to be recognised for their hard work.”
Mandate Systems will now go forward to the Business of the Year Award on 3rd July 2020.
Website: www.mandatesystems.com/
Adventoris wins business award
A leading B2B mobile technology company based in the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre in Huddersfield has been awarded the Eaton Smith Business of the Month award.
Adventoris’s flagship product, SwiftCloud, allows businesses to have a B2B mobile app that allows their customers to see products, communicate with the company and make orders 24/7. In addition to the ordering App, Adventoris have developed a Sales Rep App and a Web Ordering Portal which combine to create a B2B e-commerce solution.
Alison Palmer, Partner at Eaton Smith and members of the judging panel said’; “The judges were impressed with the innovative products produced by Adventoris in a very competitive market place as well as their client base which includes a number of large, multinational companies. We felt that this business has a very exciting future.”
Other members of the judging panel were Martin Hathaway from MYCCI, Annie Bradley from DIT and two guest judges, Lucy Hodgson from Eastwood & Partners and Carol Sibbald from Huddersfield University.
James Clarkson, Managing Director of Adventoris commented; “2019 has been an incredible year of growth for us and we’re delighted to end the year by winning this business award. We have a fantastic team here who are working hard to build a world class software business based in West Yorkshire.”
The Business of the Month Award celebrates the hard work and brilliance of businesses in Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield. Along with the other monthly winners Adventoris will now go through to the judging panel for Business of the Year and the winners will be announced in July 2020.
Website: www.adventoris.com/
Huddersfield based business, Specialist Glass Products (SGP), has received the Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award.
SGP was established in 2003 by brothers Andrew and Jonathan Taylor who saw a gap in the market for particular types of glass products that other suppliers in the UK could not provide. Their clients include others in the glass industry, architects, construction and steel companies. Its innovative range of products includes LED smart glass, bespoke laminates for use in signage such as Crossrail, and high-performance coated glass used to reduce energy consumption in buildings. These are used to keep buildings warm in winter, and cool in summer by reducing solar gain and heat loss.
Phil Clarke, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel said; “SPG makes a significant contribution to the region, employing 80 people from the local area including apprentices and by leading innovation in their sector, the company boosts the profile of Huddersfield as a place to do business. This business is an asset to our region.”
Andrew Taylor, joint Managing Director commented on the award; “We’re really pleased that our hard work and commitment to innovation has been recognised by the judges. We have gone through an investment programme over the last few years which has resulted in state-of-the-art machinery and highly skilled staff. We are very excited about driving the future growth of SGP.”
SGP will now go forward to the Business of the Year Award on 3rd July 2020.
Website: www.specialistglass.co.uk/
Congratulations to Voodoo SMS who have had their hard work recognised by winning the Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award, making it the fourth business to be in contention for the Business of the Year Award 2020.
Voodoo SMS was established in 2013 and is a mobile messaging platform which enables their clients to bulk text message their customers and/or their staff. Although the company operates in a very competitive marketplace, they boast some very high-profile clients including NHS, Amazon, Ministry of Defence and Age UK amongst their thousands of customers.
Gareth Davies, Managing Director of Voodoo SMS said; “We’re so pleased to have our business recognised by this award. We entered a very competitive market which is very difficult to break. Large competitors almost monopolise our sector which has made it a tough journey - however we are extremely proud of where we are today and what we have achieved.”
Andrew Pedley, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel commented; “Voodoo SMS impressed the judges with their commitment to offering their clients a very high standard of service, they’re a relatively small company but they’re more than holding their own against some very large competitors. Their client base in significant and the judging panel felt that this is a business with a very exciting future.”
Voodoo SMS’s head office is at Turnbridge Mills in Huddersfield. They are proud to promote their Huddersfield presence and work hard to raise the profile of the area.
Website: www.voodoosms.com/
Sheards Accountants, a long-established name within the Huddersfield business community, has been announced as the August winner of Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month Award and the third business to be put forward for Business of the Year 2020. The award was presented to members of the Sheards team on Thursday 12th September at Eaton Smith’s offices. Attending the event from Sheards were Carolyn Atkinson, Kevin Winterburn, Kevin Sanders and Lucy Smith.
Sheards was established in 1903 and there had always been one member of the Sheard family within the ownership of the business until 2003 when current owners, Carolyn Atkinson & Kevin Winterburn, took over leadership of the firm. Recently the team at Sheards has been working hard to bring their clients into the digital age through cloud accounting.
Chris Taylor, Partner at Eaton Smith and members of the judging panel commented; “Sheards has demonstrated that they are an innovative firm who offer a high level of client service as well as investing in their people and systems. They are a worthy winner our Business of the Month Award”.
Kevin Winterburn, Director at Sheards commented “We are thrilled to have won the Business of the Month award. Sheards has evolved over recent years and months to ensure that we remain at the forefront of technology changes within accountancy, whilst balancing this with maintaining our core values of offering a friendly and personal service to our clients.”
The Business of the Month Awards, established in 1995, celebrates the hard work, brilliance and innovation of local businesses. It is open to all businesses in the Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield areas.
Website: www.sheards.co.uk/
Crowther Chartered Accountants Awarded Business of the Month
Crowther Chartered Accountants are the latest winners of the Eaton Smith Business of the Month Award. The Huddersfield based company provide accountancy, taxation, audit and bookkeeping to clients all over Yorkshire. Formally S P Crowther & Co, Crowther Accountants was established in 1995 by Managing Director, Steve Crowther. Employee numbers have grown consistently over the last 24 years; having started with just one employee, the team now comprises of 20 local professionals.
Supporting charities and the local community is hugely important to Crowther Accountants with active involvement in multiple local and global charities. Steve is keen to give back to his staff members and reward hard work where possible offering employees competitive salaries and benefits.
Managing Director, Steve Crowther commented on their win; “The award win really means the world to the whole team and we’re so pleased to have been recognised for how far we have come as business, since our inception 24 years ago.”
Alison Palmer, member of the judging panel and Eaton Smith Partner, said; “The judging panel were very impressed by Crowther’s application, their commitment to consistently improving the services they provide for their clients really stood out to the judges. It was pleasing to see how much his employees mean to Steve, continuing to develop and extend their skills and knowledge, and rewarding his team for their hard work.”
Crowther Chartered Accountants are the second monthly winner in the 2019/2020 awards series and will go through to the Business of the Year Award which will be held in July 2020.
Website: crowther.accountants/
Pneumatic & Electrical Systems Ltd Awarded Business Of The Month
Pneumatic & Electrical Systems Ltd is the latest winner of Eaton Smith’s Business of the Month Award. P&E Systems Ltd are a UK based specialist designer and manufacturer of process control instrumentation, motor control and PLC systems, with business areas including Industrial Gases, Oil & Gas, Chemical and Pharmaceutical industries. Founded as Pneumatic & Electrical Controls in 1970, the company grew from a small staff of 6 to the current level of almost 30, by diversifying and adding and retaining new long term clients.
The company’s growth has been achieved by developing close relationships with their small valued client base, whilst providing a high-quality personal service and quality equipment. Many of their clients specialise in niche markets, meaning requirements of these clients can often be demanding and require specialist working codes of practice and manufacturing techniques.
Phil Clarke, Partner at Eaton Smith and member of the judging panel commented; “The judging panel was impressed with how Pneumatic & Electrical Systems have progressed through the years and expanded their client base. Their product knowledge and high level of customer service makes them very deserving winners.”
Managing Director, Steve Jones attended the Business of the Month event to collect the award and meet the judging panel. He said; “We were really pleased to be named as Business of the Month, it’s a real boost to be recognised for the work our team have put in. P&E Systems have really grown in the past few years, I’m sure our success will continue in years to come.”
Pneumatic & Electrical Systems Ltd is the first monthly winner in the 2019/2020 awards series. They will go through to the Business of the Year Award which will be held in July 2020.
Website: www.pesystems.co.uk
The winner is…. Specialist Glass Products Ltd (SGP)
SGP is a leading supplier of curved, flat and bespoke laminated glass products which are used in applications including building facades, spiral stairs, shopfronts and many more structures. Founded in 2003 by Andrew and Jonathan Taylor, the business is based in Huddersfield but works for clients across the UK, Europe and America. The judging panel were impressed with their innovative range of products as well as their contribution to the region through employment, training apprentices and supporting local causes.
Website: www.specialistglass.co.uk/
The second place was awarded to Off The Grain which is a hand-made furniture company based in Halifax. Off The Grain was established in 2018 by Dominic Walsh who transformed a hobby into a thriving, seven-figure turnover business. The judging panel felt that Off The Grain’s application demonstrated a dedication to high quality products, strong leadership and investment in its people.
Website: www.offthegrain.co.uk/
In third place was VOODOO, a mobile messaging platform which enables their clients to bulk text message their customers and/or their staff. The company operates in a highly competitive marketplace and boasts some very high profile clients including the NHS, Amazon, Ministry of Defence and Age UK amongst their thousands of customers. The ability to hold their own against some very large competitors and their commitment to high quality service earnt them a place in the top 3 businesses for this year’s Business of the Year.
Website: www.voodoosms.com/
