Best companies celebrated as 370 turn out for glittering E&S Business Awards

More than 370 people packed into the Ringside Suite at Wolverhampton Racecourse to see nine companies and individuals crowned as prize-winners, and to recognise the achievement of the 26 finalists who had won through a gruelling process to get to last night's event.

There were cheers, whoops and hugs as men and women from companies large received their awards.

Andy Turner, managing director of award-winning Lichfield company Palletways, said: "The evening has had a very good atmosphere and great organisation. It's a great event."

There were emotional scenes as the Palletway team discovered they had won the title of Best Place to Work.

Mr Turner said: "It's the first time we have entered and it's just a superb result for everyone at the company. We rely on our people to deliver great service, they are at the centre of our business. This award recognises that we have a great place to work and that is a tribute to everyone at Palletways."

The company's success was one of a series of highlights during an evening that recognised the quality of local businesses.

Guests arriving at the awards were greeted by a display of the latest models from West Midlands car maker Jaguar Land Rover, which is soon to open a new engine manufacturing factory in Wolverhampton.

Compere, TV presenter Joanne Malin, set the scene at the start of the evening, saying: "Creating and driving forward a successful company is not easy. However, here in the Black Country and south Staffordshire we have dozens of examples of fantastic innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and sheer grit. We are here to showcase the best businesses that the region has to offer."

The signature award of the evening, for Business of the Year, provided a unique result as Staffordshire delivery company APC Overnight took the blue riband prize for the second year in a row.

APC, about to move from its Essington home to a newly-built sorting centre and headquarters in Cannock, was described by judges as 'Strategically well-run with significant future potential'.

A surprised and delighted chief executive, Syed Ziaullah, said: "This award is a tribute to the total dedication and commitment of everyone at the business."

Wolverhampton software company Zeel Solutions won the first prize of the night for Innovation.

Managing director and founder Rav Cheema said: "We're very grateful and just really pleased."

Stafford company Addmaster, which develops chemical performance additives for a range of industries, won the Export award and was praised by the judges for its 'clear and logical export strategy' and strong leadership. Young Business of the Year went to Cube Precision Engineering, based in Rowley Regis, which was launched just four years ago from the ashes of a previous business and has grown to employ 38 people.

A new category for 2013 was Community Champion, won by Walsall Housing Group, and chief executive Gary Fulford paid tribute to both his staff and to the partner organisations who work with WHG to support its work in the community.

Professional Polishing Services' success in winning the manufacturing champion award came as icing on the cake for the Smethwick's company's 30th anniversary celebrations and managing director Kirsty Davies-Chinnock said she was thrilled.

The winner of the business person of the year award was Sam Ferguson, chief executive of Bilston's EDM Group.

Kavi Jundu, managing director of small to medium-sized business award winner Diamond Boxl, said it had achieved success in the first awards it had ever entered.

Following the awards, Express & Star Editor Keith Harrison said: "This has been a terrific evening, highlighting everything that is best about business in our region."

Along with the Express & Star, the award sponsors were Jaguar Land Rover, Carvers Building Supplies, BDO, Lloyds TSB Commercial, Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, Aspray24, Higgs & Sons and UTC Aerospace Systems, while the associate sponsors for the event were Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton Racecourse and event production company Yarrington.