Celebrating success of Black Country business

Metsec's marketing and business development director Richard Allen said it had been a "fantastic" moment when the company, which was started in 1931 and is part of the voestalpine group, was announced as the winner.

"It was completely unexpected," he added.

Metsec was praised by judges for investment in people, processes and equipment.

"WE spend a lot of time and effort and money on developing our people.It is the people in the business who deliver success for our customers.

"We run our own apprentice school and aim yo achieve 20 per cent of our workforce being former apprentices by 2020 - currently we are at 13 per cent and we take on six apprentices a year," added Mr Allen.

There was a double celebration for 26-year-old Ultra Furniture, of Pensnett Trading Estate, Kingswinford, which won both manufacturer of the year, sponsored by Crowe Clark Whitehill, and the customer service award, sponsored by Paycare.

Managing director Glenn Aston said the 226 staff would be "over the moon" at the awards.

"We manufacture for major retailers like DFS, Marks & Spencer, Next and Tesco. This double is recognition of the hard work of the whole Team Ultra," he added.

The dinner at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Thursday(NOV 20) was attended by 300 including the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Michael Heap, and Walsall Council leader Councillor Sean Coughlan. The awards were compered by radio presenter Phil Upton who told guests that the chamber aimed to double the economy of the Black Country in the next 10 years.

Chamber president Ninder Johal said judges were very impressed with the high standard and diversity of award entries.

"They had some very difficult decisions to make. It was great to see so many people celebrating Black Country business success," he added.

In his speech Mr Johal spoke about how businesses in the Black Country wasd adapting to the disruption of a changing world and used props, including alloy wheels, a tin of baked beans and an armchair, to show the varied range of things that Black Country firms were making.

Guest speaker was former leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Colin Lambert, how told Black Country businesses not to be afraid of the creation of a combined authority for the area and Birmingham and to focus on the opportunities it would create

The service provider of the year award, sponsored by BDO, went to DPD (UK).

DPD executive director Charlie Shiels said it now employed more than 2,000 between its sites in Oldbury and Smethwick.

"We have been in the Black Country for more than 25 years. This award is all about the team. A lot of people have put a lot of effort into the winning of this award. We are all about service and people engagement. We are known in the industry for customer service and to get local recognition of that is a lovely thing," he said.

Wolverhampton-based security fence firm Zaun, who employ 70 at Steel Drive, won the international trade award sponsored by Wolverhampton Racecourse.

Founder and owner Alistair Henman said: "25 per cent of our turnover now comes from exports. This year the Middle East has been a big part of that."

The people development award, sponsored by Eaton's Ex Innovations Business, was won by Sandwell Women's Aid. The judges were impressed with their local campaigns and the way they had gone above and beyond what might have been expected of them.

Law firm George Green, which has offices in Cradley Heath and Wolverhampton and employs nearly 70, was presented with the aspirational business award sponsored by GrowthAccelerator .

Corporate service partner Paul Bennett said the award reflected on the success of businesses in the wider Black Country.

"It is recognition of our work across the board, particularly with high growth businesses and of our work with charity. We have been doing fundraising to help the charity Creating Chances," he explained.

The Judges felt tGeorge Green stood out because of its innovative approach to helping early stage businesses succeed with the use of an online Growth Hub of resources.