A company launched just 19 months ago has won the top prize at this year’s Caerphilly Business Forum Awards.
Direct Healthcare Services Ltd, based at Caerphilly’s Western Industrial Estate, picked up the Premier Award, sponsored by Broomfield Alexander, at the ninth annual Caerphilly Business Forum Awards on Friday.
The company, which earlier in the evening picked up the Young Business of the Year High Growth Award sponsored by Welsh Assembly Government, makes products to help wheelchair users avoid pressure ulcers. It is expecting a turnover of around £2 million in just its second year of trading and employs 14 people.
All but one of the staff were unemployed at the time of their recruitment – 70% of them had been out of work for at least six months before being taken on by Direct Healthcare.
Manufacturing all its products in Wales and using only UK-made components, the company has been able to produce high quality products substantially more cheaply than their competitors. And it even turned the global downturn into an opportunity with many potential customers who had initially been reluctant to switch suppliers to a start-up business, being forced to rethink their purchasing strategies in the tough economic climate.
Chief Executive Jon Lewis, who accepted the award, spoke of the support they’d received from a wide number of people and organisations in Caerphilly County Borough and beyond, including Venture Wales and their families.
Alongside Direct Healthcare Services Ltd, five other companies from across Caerphilly County Borough were honoured for their achievements over the last 12 months.
Partners IT Limited, based in Ystrad Mynach, won the award for Business of the Year with more than 25 employees, sponsored by SEDA UK Ltd.
Budget Vets Limited, based in Risca, and with a string of other surgeries in Newport, Abertillery, Porth and Blackwood, won the award for Business of the Year with fewer than 25 employees, sponsored by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Kautex Textron CVS Ltd, of Ystrad Mynach, won the Environment Award sponsored by UES. Tom Newman, Managing Director and Head Brewer of The Celt Experience Ltd, based in Caerphilly, won the Young Achiever Award sponsored by PHS Group.
And Creazione Dance Company Ltd, run from director and dance teacher Louise Evans’ own home in Caerphilly, but with a base in Caerphilly Leisure Centre, won the Young Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Venture Wales.
Andrew Diplock, chairman of Caerphilly Business Forum, said the judges had to make some difficult decisions in selecting this year’s winners. He said: “The tough climate seems to bring out the best in business people as the depth of quality among entries for this year’s awards demonstrates.
“Each of our winners has shown true determination, creativity, passion and commitment to their businesses in the very tough conditions we’ve all operated in over the last 12 months. Nobody can say that there is light at the end of the tunnel but what I can say is that our winners this year will be a positive inspiration to businesses all over the country.
“Along with our other finalists, they demonstrate the rich vibrancy and diversity of business in Caerphilly County Borough as well as the sheer strength of character which typifies the business community here.
“We are very proud to recognise them and we wish them and all businesses that entered this year’s awards the very best of success in the next 12 months.”
The main sponsor of this year’s awards was Coleg Gwent. The awards ceremony, held at Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel and Spa, was sponsored by past award winner Norgine and hosted by TV presenter and journalist Jason Mohammad.