Winners of the Caerphilly Business Forum Awards 2012

Blackwood-based Seda UK has topped off a successful 12 months by scooping this year’s star prize at the 2012 Caerphilly Business Forum Awards, held in association with Business Edge, Coleg Gwent.

Seda UK, which specialises in the manufacture and supply of paperboard containers, plastic lids and containers, won both the Business of the Year (with more than 25 employees), sponsored by Mollertech and the Premier Award, sponsored by Broomfield and Alexander, at the annual event at Llancaiach Fawr Manor near Nelson on Friday night.

Seda UK’s main market is packaging for the food industry, predominantly to the fast food, ice cream and dairy sectors, supplying clients including McDonald’s, Kraft Foods, Yeo Valley, Bewley’s, BP, Nestle, Gregg’s and Pret-a-Manger. This year has seen the company’s turnover increase by 10% with their goal for the next 12 months to move more towards the carton business.

On the company’s win, its managing director Lorenzo Angelucci said: “We are very proud of our Caerphilly roots and our place in the local community so to be celebrated for our achievements in the area is a real honour.”

The ceremony itself was attended by 230 business people and saw Seda UK and six other Caerphilly-based companies celebrating awards success.

Another big winner was Blaengawney Cider Farm which scooped Business of the Year (with 25 employees or fewer) sponsored by CCBC, and Contribution to the Rural Economy supported by Caerffili Cwm a Mynydd.

The cider producers were celebrated as a unique business within Caerphilly and one whose product is linked directly to the local community. The company is focused on delivering a quality product and is based on the principles of judicious and timely investment and a commitment to quality and value.

New Business of the Year, sponsored by Business in Focus, was won by Gritty Realism Productions, an animation and design company which the judges feel has tremendous potential.

Social Enterprise of the Year, sponsored by South East Wales Community Economic Development Programme, was scooped by GreenCap which was started by former Remploy employee, Steven Watts, when his factory in Treforest was closed. The company refurbishes and re-upholsters various furnishings, with a view to reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.

Cabot Aluminium was awarded Young Business of the Year (High Growth) for the exceptional growth it achieved during its first two years trading. Their recruitment of staff from the local community, commitment to promoting energy efficient products and investment in a new production unit in order to support future growth and job creation were all cited as reasons for their success.

The Young Achiever Award, sponsored by PHS, was won by Karina Hicks of Educ8. The judges felt that Karina displayed unbridled passion for her role, her team and her business.

Clare Morgan from Peter’s Foods was the winner of the Women in Business Award, sponsored by Glenside Commercial, for maintaining a positive “can do” attitude in her role as marketing controller, which was a newly created post. She has worked extremely hard in all areas of marketing to raise awareness of the brand and was the driving force behind a recent, incredibly successful, campaign, where she was given responsibility for a huge budget.

Caerphilly Business Forum Chair Tony Sheehan said: “These awards have really brought home to me how much talent and drive there is in the business community across Caerphilly. The recession is certainly having a massive impact but there are still those so determined to succeed that they are defying the odds and that is wonderful to see.

“I’d like to congratulate all of the award nominees, I know it is often said but the judges really did have some incredibly tough decisions on their hands and all the businesses shortlisted really showcased the finest that Caerphilly has to offer.”