Businesses in Caerphilly County Borough are being urged get their nominations in for this year’s Caerphilly Business Forum Awards by last year’s winners.
Bedwas-based Land Rover parts company Bearmach has gone from strength to strength since being named Business of the Year at last year’s awards.

During the past 12 months the company was also awarded the highly prestigious Queen’s Award for International Trade.
Managing director of Bearmarch Peter Whitehouse said: “Winning both awards has been a great lift for our staff and is much to the merit of my colleague Gwen Miles who put Bearmach forward for both awards, the hard work of our team and is recognition of the excellent relationships that we are forging internationally.
“I would strongly recommend that businesses in the area look to the Caerphilly Business Forum Awards 2009 to celebrate the successes within their businesses this year.”
Another company to have had a successful year after winning at the awards is Hobbs Valve, based on the Trecenydd Business Park, which won Caerphilly Business Forum’s Young Business of the Year High Growth Award.

In the year since they won the company, which makes valves for use in the global oil and gas industry, has doubled production and seen turnover rise to a record £2.9m.
In its first three years of trading the business has quickly developed a substantial presence for itself, doubling its revenue year on year.
Managing director Alun Hobbs said: “Hobbs Valve began on a blank piece of paper in October 2005 when several of us who have worked in the industry for many years realised that things could be done better than they were elsewhere and that quality could be delivered alongside ingenuity.
“Winning the Caerphilly Business Forum Award in 2008 was a huge boost to us as a business and since November we have continued to grow and we are now at a real turning point in the business.
“Our reputation is opening many doors, allowing us to branch into new and varied industry sectors, and demand for our services is at an all time high.
“This year has been tough for many businesses and I would strongly recommend that businesses celebrate what they have achieved this year, even if they haven’t done so in the past. Winning the Caerphilly Business Forum Award boosted morale and has reinforced our belief in our product and our excellent team.”
Martyn Fear, Chair of the Caerphilly Business Forum, said: “Hobbs Valve and Bearmarch are shining examples of the superb calibre of businesses in the Caerphilly County Borough.
“I would encourage businesses from across the county borough to stand up and be recognised for their hard work and ingenuity while faced with the challenges that this year has brought.”