Jamie Owen, and Chair of Caerphilly Business Forum Denise Lovering
Businesses from across Caerphilly County Borough have celebrated success at the 2014 Caerphilly Business Forum Awards.
Ventilation manufacturer Nuaire, based on Caerphilly town’s Western Industrial Estate, took the top honour at the 13th annual awards, held in association with Coleg Gwent, with the overall Premier Award.
The company, which employs more than 400 people and sells its products in more than 40 countries, was also named as Business of the Year with over 25 employees.
The two awards were sponsored by Broomfield and Alexander and Finance Wales respectively.
Andy Mudie, Nuaire’s Marketing Director, said: “It is a fantastic achievement – we cannot believe it.
“We put in for a couple of categories and we are gobsmacked that we’ve won the overall award.
“It is a testament to all the people in the factory. The company has really come on in leaps and bounds recently and it is an unbelievable recognition for us.”
Other winners on the night included social media firm Xibo, based in Caerphilly town, which was named Business of the Year – Under 25 Employees.
Xibo founder and chief executive Joe Miles said the firm, based at Welsh ICE on Caerphilly Business Park, had plans over the next two years to expand its current number of 19 workers to 70 employees.
He said: “We have a really exceptional team of talented people and it is a privilege to work with them. We were planning to grow twofold every year but now we believe we can grow tenfold within the next two years and reach £10m turnover because there are not many people doing what we are doing.”
Another big winner at the high-profile awards, hosted by BBC’s Jamie Owen, was Oakdale-based confectionery company Bon Bon Buddies, whose product manager Sarah Cartwright took the Women in Business award sponsored by Glenside Commercials and sales manager, Tracey Walters, took the Employee of the Year title.
Tracey: “I have been with the business ten years next year and it is a privilege and an honour to win this award. Our business has continued year-on-year growth and it is fantastic to be part of it.”
Successes were also had by Hengoed-based bespoke wood product specialist, Craft Wales, which won the FSB-sponsored Manufacturing in Action award, while the Innovation Award, sponsored by Dell and Excellence IT, went to Blackwood Embedded Solutions.
Anthony Giles, founder of Blackwood Embedded Solutions, donated £2,000 on the night to children’s hospice T? Hafen.
He explained: “We’ve had a fantastic year and winning the award topped it off and I felt one percent of our profits would go a long way and might make someone else’s year at T? Hafan.”
Hallets Real Cider of Crumlin won the Contribution to the Rural Economy category, sponsored by Caerffili Cwm a Mynydd.
Sophie Hawkridge, a trainee countryside ranger with Caerphilly County Borough Council, was also named Apprentice of the Year.
Held in association with Coleg Gwent, the awards also took place with the support of sponsors Norgine Pharmaceuticals, Wales’ largest training provider ACT, insurance brokers, Thomas Carroll, Natwest, Bedwas Self Storage, university network Elevate Cymru, and business consultancy Hwyl.
Councillor Ken James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Caerphilly County Borough congratulated all of the winners whom he described as ‘exceptional.’ He said: “What gives us a great thrill is seeing local companies getting their goods out to markets everywhere and being successful.”
Caerphilly Business Forum Chair, Denise Lovering, said: “The face of business across Wales and the UK is changing, and the introduction of new categories allowed us to reflected this and highlight the achievements of a wider cross section of businesses based in Caerphilly than ever before. As forum board members we never fail to be amazed by the diversity of business talent within the county. We extend our warmest congratulations to all those who contributed to the awards as competitors, nominees, judges, sponsors and guests.”