Metalfacture, a manufacturer that has transformed its business from being a solely domestic trader to an exporting success story, has been crowned the Leicestershire Business of the Year by East Midlands Chamber.
The Wigston-based company – which now sends deliveries to more than 54 countries worldwide, with exports accounting for about half of sales – also won the Excellence in International Trade category and Outstanding Growth Award at the Leicestershire Business Awards, which was held on Friday (3 December) in conjunction with the Chamber’s annual Christmas Lunch.
Founder Ben Jones-Fenleigh started the company as a sheet metal work sub-contractor but diversified over the past few years to make its own products. It has used its wealth of manufacturing knowledge to create innovative displays used in shops that increase brand awareness and impulse sales, with a specialism in beverages, small convenience stores and petrol forecourts. Customers include Heineken, Molston Coors, Asda and Sainsbury’s.
The Leicestershire Business Awards, held in partnership with headline sponsor Mazars, recognised winners across 13 categories, ranging from Business Improvement Through Technology and Environmental Impact Award within an organisation to individual honours for Entrepreneur of the Year and Apprentice of the Year. There were new categories this year for Collaboration Project of the Year and Excellence in Innovation.
Finalists, chosen by a judging panel of the Chamber’s senior leadership and board of directors, as well as sponsors, discovered their fate during a gala dinner attended by hundreds of people at Leicester Tigers’ Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium – marking a return for face-to-face celebrations after being held virtually last year.
Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “There has been so much to celebrate within our business community despite a challenging 18 months and these awards have showcased some of the incredible companies that call our region home.
“As the economic recovery continues, and new opportunities present themselves in a new era of global trade and sustainable business, these are just the kinds of organisations we should be highlighting when we’re shouting about everything the East Midlands has to offer. We know it’s a great place to do business and these are living proof.
“We received so many high-calibre applications, which demonstrated how the pandemic hasn’t been a period in which we have just stood still. Instead, the time afforded for reflection has led to many companies seeking out new opportunities, innovating and driving themselves forward.
“While last year offered us a different kind of experience in a virtual awards ceremony, it was great to be back holding such a landmark event for the business calendar in person once more. Once again, we are so thankful to our sponsors for making this event so successful.”
The Leicestershire Business Awards – one of three awards hosted by the Chamber, along with Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire – were hosted by comedian Dom Woodward.
A raffle and auction was held to raise more than £3,000 for East Midlands Chamber president Eileen Richards MBE’s three chosen charities this year – Chesterfield Samaritans, Help the Homeless Leicester and Nottinghamshire Hospice.
Eileen, who owns Leicester-based ER Recruitment, gave a speech in which she explained how much the city where she has always lived means to her, as well as its strong entrepreneurial community – with four and a half businesses for every 100 residents, and 85% of those companies having fewer than nine employees.
She also referenced the economic opportunities on the horizon, with Leicestershire securing £54m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to back projects including Pioneer Park, Pilot House and the remodelling of the city’s railway station.
Commenting on the awards, she added: “During my year as president, I’ve been privileged to witness some of the amazing success stories that don’t always receive the wider recognition they ought to, so I’m thrilled to see some of these come to the fore at East Midlands Chamber’s Business Awards.
“The Leicestershire Business Awards has shone the spotlight on some well-deserving winners from my hometown’s thriving entrepreneurial community, but I’d also like to congratulate the finalists for their outstanding entries too as we had some really strong competition across many categories this year.
“Metalfacture is a very worthy winner of the Leicestershire Business of the Year and shows just what can be achieved by having the boldness of ambition to diversify into new products and markets.
“British manufacturing’s badge of quality will be at the heart of our economic recovery and post-Brexit global trading relationships, so it’s really encouraging to see one of Leicestershire’s own flying the flag across the world, from Japan to the USA.”
Winners of Leicestershire Business Awards
Business Improvement Through Technology
Winner
Due Diligence Checking
Finalists
Kitking
North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College
Steps Conductive Education Centre
Community Impact Award
Winner
Zinthiya Trust
Finalists
Alex’s Wish
Charity Link
Hope Against Cancer
Shama Women’s Centre
Outstanding Growth Award
Winner
Metalfacture
Finalists
Loughborough Finance for Sport
Jake & Nayns
Myonex
Pattersons Commercial Law
Environmental Impact Award
Winner
Abacus Flooring Solutions
Finalists
Go Travel Solutions
Michael Smith Switchgear
PacWolf
Commitment to People Development Award
Winner
Precision Facilities Management
Finalists
Alex’s Wish
Noble Events
Pick Everard
REAL Education
Apprentice of the Year
Winner
James Cook – C S Ellis Group
Finalists
Millie Clayton – Almac Group
Emily-Rose Moore – Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
Chloe Grantham – Paragon Sales Solutions
Alice Deeping – Unsworth Sugden Group
Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner
Brij Thankey – Precision Facilities Management
Finalists
Jaz Kaur and Narinder Nijjar – Fraser Stretton Estate Agents
Satwinder Sidhu – Paradigm Wills and Legal Services
Navroop Kaur – Prime Casual
Alex Slack – The House of LM
Education and Business Partnership Award
Winner
MIRA Technology Institute
Finalists
De Montfort University – Small Business Leadership Programme
Loughborough College
North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College
REAL Education
Excellence in Customer Service
Winner
Furnley House
Finalists
Glenfield Electrical
Growth Partners
Kazzoo
Paradigm Wills and Legal Services
Excellence in International Trade
Winner
Metalfacture
Finalists
A Mistry
Worldwide Express (UK)
Small Business of the Year
Winner
Your Tender Team
Finalists
Arthur Civil Engineering
Charnwood Regency Guest House
Precision Facilities Management
We Love Surveys
Excellence in Innovation
Winner
Structural Adhesives
Finalists
Access Rating
Penny Price Aromatherapy
Printvision (UK)
Excellence in Collaboration
Winner
De Montfort University – Round-tip Knives
Finalists
Alex’s Wish
Creative62
Joined-Up Working Associates
Leicestershire Cares
Business of the Year
Winner
Metalfacture
