Judges in the Daily Echo backed Hampshire Business Awards have embarked on the mammoth task of whittling down the mountain of entries now the deadline has passed.

The search for this year’s winners is now well underway in the awards 20th anniversary year as judges look to continue the events reputation as a showcase for the strength and diversity of Hampshire’s businesses.

The awards sponsors – national commercial law firm Bond Pearce, business advisors KPMG and the Royal Bank of Scotland – also play their part in judging the awards and once again they have been extremely impressed by the quality and diversity of the entrants.

Phil Cotton, senior partner of the KPMG South Coast Office, which sponsors the KPMG Company of the Year award said: “This year we have seen a great range of businesses entering, both in terms of size and sector, which demonstrates that despite difficult trading conditions there are still some real success stories across a broad range of business sectors. We were also particularly pleased to receive nominations from past finalists. They are clearly really keen to win and we admire their determination.”

Nick page, chairman at Bond Pearce, said: “All businesses big and small need to innovate in order to find an edge in the market so it good to see such a wide range of businesses entering. Nominations for the Bond Pearce Innovation Award have either been innovative from within to become more efficient and increase profitability or have developed their products or services in order to stand out against competitors.”

Dan Salanson, head of corporate banking for RBS in the Solent, said: “This is the second year for the RBS Management Team of the Year award and, in view of the challenging economic backcloth, it is really pleasing to see another strong and varied field of applications this year. Picking an overall winner will be challenging.”

Finalists for the Hampshire Business Awards will be announced on August 25.

Following this, the winners in each category are to be unveiled at an awards dinner.

This year BBC television presenter Bill Turnbull is hosting the dinner, which is taking place at the Royal Marines Museum in Southsea on October 7.

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Time is running out to enter the Hampshire Business Awards with just two days to go until the deadline for entries.

The Daily Echo-backed awards are an important fixture in Hampshire’s Business calendar with a reputation for rooting out the most inspirational companies in the county.

Now for their 20th year, this year’s winners will be unveiled at an awards dinner on October 7 hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull.

Once again, the three sponsors – national commercial law firm Bond Pearce, business advisors KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland - have been “very impressed” by the calibre of the entrants.

However, even at this late stage in the game, they are still keen to receive entries from those local firms that have so far abstained.

Dan Salanson, head of Corporate Banking for RBS in the Solent, said: “We are urging all companies that still haven’t completed their nominations to do so. Your business successes are the lifeblood of the Hampshire Business Awards and we want to hear them and how you have overcome challenges during this prolonged period of economic uncertainty. Success at these awards can add real value to your business.”

Entries are invited in three award categories: the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, KPMG Company of the Year and the RBS Management Team of the Year.

Businesses are free to enter as many of the award categories as they wish before the June 11 deadline. To enter, visit www.hampshirebusinessawards.co.uk.

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Celebrating business success in Hampshire

A look at the fortunes of some of the past winners of the Hampshire Business Awards

The Daily Echo-backed Hampshire Business Awards are a showcase for the strength and diversity of Hampshire’s businesses. This week we profile a number of past winners, looking at what awards success has meant and how they have progressed since.

Raymond Brown

Raymond Brown Minerals & Recycling was the 2008 winner of the KPMG Company of the Year. Based in Hampshire with operating sites in Dorset and Berkshire, the company provides sand, gravel and aggregates together with recycled aggregates from its specialist plant at Swanwick. It also has a skip operation near Andover and has invested £2 million in a materials recycling facility that will be opening soon.

Kelvin White, Group Managing Director, said: “The success gave us a great lift because it was recognition from our peers of what we were achieving both financially and within the business community. As a direct consequence of our win, we were approached by a major plc that was bidding for a five-year strategic partnership and sought our support as the partner to provide recycled materials. The bid was successful and we are now a party to a five-year contract with the option to extend to ten years.”

Since winning the award, Raymond Brown has completed a management buyout and delivered its third successive year of record results.

Garmin (Europe) Ltd

For satellite navigation and communication company Garmin (Europe) Ltd, winning the 2008 RBS International Trade Award has proved a significant boost for business. General Manager Sean Biddlecombe said: “Our success at the awards has helped with recruitment. We use it in our advertising and people recognise us because of it. Our win has also played a part in reinforcing the culture at Garmin, helping to demonstrate that we are a committed Hampshire company that uses local suppliers and invests in local staff.”

Part of an international group of companies that is listed on New York’s Nasdaq 100, Garmin has a wide product range that is based on GPS technology. This includes in-car satellite navigation, marine instruments and aviation equipment. This year the company is making a big push into the mobile phone market having succeeded in supplying its navigation-centric mobile phones to European carriers.

Cleansing Service Group

Cleansing Service Group (CSG) was last year’s winner of the Bond Pearce Innovation Award. An environmental waste management company that celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2009, CSG is amongst Hampshire’s longest-established businesses. It has just experienced one of the most successful periods, becoming a significant national operator with a reputation for technical innovation.

Neil Richards, Treatment and Recovery Director said the award "recognised the pioneering approach taken by the company in developing waste management solutions which provide an alternative to landfill.

Entries for this year’s Hampshire Business Awards are invited in three award categories: the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, KPMG Company of the Year and the RBS Management Team of the Year. Businesses are free to enter as many of the award categories as they wish before the 11 June deadline. To enter, visit www.hampshirebusinessawards.co.uk.

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BBC television presenter Bill Turnbull has been named as the host of this year’s Daily Echo-backed Hampshire Business Awards.

The awards, which celebrate their 20th anniversary this year, are a showcase for the strength and diversity of the region’s businesses and have a reputation for rooting out and recognising the most inspirational of these.

This year’s awards dinner, which is attended by finalists and prominent members of the local business community, will be held on October 7 at the Royal Marines Museum in Southsea.

Bill is the face of BBC Breakfast; a show that he has presented since 2001.

Before his move to breakfast time television, Bill worked as a reporter on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

During his impressive career, he has reported on many memorable events from across the world.

These include the Lockerbie disaster and the Romanian Revolution and, while working as the BBC’s Washington correspondent, the OJ Simpson trial and Monica Lewinsky scandal. Other career highlights include his coverage of Hurricane Katrina and the US presidential elections. However, current affairs are by no means the only string to Bill Turnbull’s bow. In 2005, he took part in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing show.

Time still remains to enter the Hampshire Business Awards, which are accepting nominations in three categories: the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, KPMG Company of the Year and the RBS Management Team of the Year. Businesses are free to enter as many of the award categories as they wish before the June 11 deadline.

To enter, visit www.hampshirebusinessawards.co.uk.

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Firms are being urged to submit their bid to be considered amongst the county’s top companies ahead of the 2010 Hampshire Business Awards closing date on 11th June.

The Daily Echo-backed awards are a showcase for the strength and diversity of the business community in Hampshire and the judges are eager for businesses of all shapes and sizes to think long and hard about their success stories over the past months.

With the awards taking place in a severely testing business environment, many companies may feel that they don’t have much to shout about but judges are keen to reiterate that the key qualities they look for include strength and resilience and the agility to adapt and respond to challenges. There is surely no better time to demonstrate these qualities than now.

The small business community is also being encouraged to stop hiding its light under a bushel.

Stewart Dunn, Managing Director of Newsquest Hampshire, which publishes the Daily Echo said: “The Hampshire Business Awards are an important date in the business events calendar as they highlight Hampshire’s position as the number one place to do business.”

Entries are invited in three award categories: the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, KPMG Company of the Year and the RBS Management Team of the Year. Businesses are free to enter as many of the award categories as they wish.

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Entries are now open for this year’s Hampshire Business Awards, the Daily Echo backed hunt for the top county firms.

This week, in our series profiling the different award categories, we talk to Phil Cotton, Senior Partner at accountants KPMG, about the third and final award, the KPMG Company of the Year.

“We have certainly experienced very tough economic times over the past couple of years so it is fantastic to see that so many companies in Hampshire are thriving in spite of the challenges they face,” he said. “What the judges are looking for with the KPMG Company of the Year award is a company with an outstanding financial track record. We want to hear from established businesses, both public and private, that can demonstrate exceptional sales and profitability. Other vital key qualities are agility, adaptability and a flair for spotting and seizing opportunities.”

The Hampshire Business Awards celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and KPMG has been involved since the outset. Phil said “We are committed to supporting and celebrating local business success and over the past 20 years the award entries have always served to reinforce our view that the business community in Hampshire is right at the top of its game, demonstrating real drive, ingenuity and tangible results.”

Last year, the winner of the KPMG Company of the Year was defence firm Chemring Group. A world leader in missile countermeasures, the judges were convinced to award it the top spot because of its demonstration of business excellence in a niche market. Since winning, Chemring has had another fantastic year with its share price reaching new heights.

Rik Armitage of Chemring said: "Chemring is proud of its Hampshire roots, and it has enjoyed considerable growth and international success over the last few years.”

For more information about how to enter the KPMG Company of the Year award or the other two award categories – The RBS Management Team of the Year and the Bond Pearce Innovation Award - log on to http://www.hampshirebusinessawards.co.uk/ or call Hazel Gibbs at KPMG on 023 8020 2051.

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Entries are now flooding in for the Daily Echo backed Hampshire Business Awards.

In the second of our series of profiles of each of the three categories, we speak to The Royal Bank of Scotland’s Dan Salanson about the RBS Management Team of the Year award.

Now into its second year, the award aims to seek out a management team that has driven its business forward, implemented significant change or overcome material problems through strong leadership and teamwork.

The judges are on the lookout for success across many areas, including change management, problem solving, maintaining a motivated workforce, team building and strategic planning. The vision and ability to guide a business through the current challenging economic conditions will also be key.

Dan Salanson, head of corporate banking for RBS in the Solent said: “A quality management team that is driven and inspiring is critical to the success of any business. Our award aims to recognise the importance of strong leadership and teamwork in achieving business success.”

“As a local corporate banking team, we work closely with our customers helping them to achieve their long-term strategic plans. We feel the awards are an excellent opportunity to celebrate the high calibre of management teams found in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”

Last year’s winner of the RBS Management Team of the Year award was Hedge End electronics manufacturer ACW Technology. The management team impressed the judges by demonstrating strategic planning, flexibility, problem solving and a willingness to invest in staff, processes and facilities.

The RBS Management Team of the Year award is open to all Hampshire and Isle of Wight based companies or subsidiaries of national and international businesses with a major presence in the county.

For more information about how to enter this or the other two award categories – KPMG Company of the Year and the Bond Pearce Innovation Award - log on to hampshirebusinessawards.co.uk or call Hazel Gibbs at KPMG on 023 8020 2051.

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Following the launch of the Daily Echo-backed Hampshire Business Awards, the search is now under way for the county’s most exceptional companies. In the first of a series profiling the different award categories, we speak to Nick Page of Bond Pearce about the Innovation Award that his company sponsors.

“The Innovation Award celebrates businesses at the cutting edge and helps to identify those that will be successful in the future, as well as more traditional companies that are embracing change in order to achieve greater success. We have been involved with this award for a decade and every year the nominations really drive home the strength and ingenuity of the businesses we have here in Hampshire.” 

What the judges are looking for are companies that can demonstrate innovation capable of delivering real business benefits, or with the potential to increase profitability or make a significant difference to the perception of a business. Such innovation is the key to developing a vibrant business community that, in turn, attracts other successful companies into the region.

Nick said: “In an ever more competitive world we all have to find ways of delivering our services more efficiently or by coming up with new ideas, adding value to existing products and services, or finding new solutions to excite clients. The need to innovate embraces all of these challenges.”

Last year’s winner of the Bond Pearce Innovation Award was Cleansing Service Group, an industrial and domestic environmental waste management company that is one of Hampshire’s longest-established businesses. It was the introduction of processes to recover or recycle valuable components of waste and its commitment to the environment that attracted the attention of the judges.

For more information about how to get your company involved in the Bond Pearce Innovation Award or the other two award categories – KPMG Company of the Year and RBS Management Team of the Year - log on to http://www.hampshirebusinessawards.co.uk/ or call Hazel Gibbs at KPMG on 023 8020 2051

File Download: HBA 2010 The Bond Pearce Innovation Award.doc

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Hampshire Business Awards 2010 is now open for entries

THE annual hunt for the county’s most exceptional businesses is now under way with the launch of the Daily Echo-backed Hampshire business Awards 2010. Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the awards are a showcase for the strength and diversity of Hampshire’s businesses and have a proud tradition of rooting out and recognising the most inspirational.

The three sponsors – national commercial law firm Bond Pearce business advisers KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) – are eager to hear from those businesses from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that can demonstrate real flair and ingenuity. Against the ongoing turbulent backdrop of the economy, resilience and adaptability are also key.

Entries are invited in three award categories: the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, KPMG Company of the Year and the RBS Management Team of the Year. Businesses are free to enter as many of the award categories as they wish before the June 11 deadline.

Phil Cotton, senior partner at KPMG’s South Coast Office in Southampton, said: “We hope to attract entries from a diverse range of businesses and look forward to hearing about their achievements. In this ongoing difficult trading environment, key qualities that we will be looking out for include agility, adaptability and a flair for spotting and seizing opportunities.”

Nick Page, chairman at Bond Pearce said: “In an ever more competitive world we all have to find ways of delivering our services more efficiently or by coming up with new ideas, adding value to existing products and services or finding new solutions to excite clients. The need to innovate embraces all of these challenges and we are expecting to see many impressive examples amongst the nominations.”

Dan Salanson, head of corporate banking for RBS in the Solent said: “Our award aims to recognise a team of individuals whose hard work, commitment and insight has brought about positive change within a business – which is no small achievement in the current economic climate. Last year the award attracted nominations from a number of high quality management teams from a range of businesses, underlining the depth of talent we have in Hampshire, and we are eager to uncover yet more talent this year.”

This year’s awards dinner will be held at the atmospheric Royal Marines Museum in Southsea on October 7. Finalists and guests from the local business community will attend the event, which is staged by MCCP, a specialist in event management, corporate communications projects and video production for the public and private sectors.

The deadline for entries is June 11. To enter visit www.hampshirebusinessawards.co.uk.

File Download: Press Release - Launch 20 April 2010.doc

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Now in its 19th year, the Hampshire Business Awards are the annual search for Hampshire’s brightest business talent and last night saw over 100 attendees from the local business community gather to celebrate the cream of the crop. Industrial and domestic environmental waste management company, Cleansing Service Group won the Bond Pearce Innovation Award; pyrotechnics and countermeasures manufacturers, Chemring Group plc won KPMG Company of the Year and electronic manufacturing services provider, ACW Technology won RBS Management Team of the Year.

Game Group plc’s Lisa Morgan was also honoured for her Outstanding Contribution to Hampshire business. Lisa became the CEO of Game Group in January 2007, having previously held roles at the company over a 12 year period. During her tenure, Game has changed dramatically from a very specialist games retailer into a major household name with mass market appeal.

The Daily Echo-backed awards, sponsored by Bond Pearce, KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland are the county’s business version of the Oscars and have become a staple in the region’s business community’s calendar. Who won what? The Bond Pearce Innovation Award was presented to Cleansing Service Group (CSG). Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, CSG is one of Hampshire’s longest-established companies and has 19 sites, stretching from Cornwall to Kent and Manchester in the North.

Nick Page, Chairman of Bond Pearce, said, “CSG stood out as the winner for their three innovative processes introduced in the last year to recover or recycle valuable components from waste. Its clear support of the environment was a key factor in our decision. The business has proved that innovation is alive and well in Hampshire, which is exactly what we set out to demonstrate and celebrate.” Runners up for the Bond Pearce Innovation Award were Chemring Group plc and PrimerDesign.

Chemring Group won KPMG Company of the Year. Chemring is a global group of companies that specialises in the manufacture of energetic material products and decoy countermeasures. Phil Cotton, senior partner at KPMG said, “The Whitely-based defence firm is a world leader in expendable countermeasures and has shown business excellence in a niche market. The business has delivered a sustained growth rate of over 40% per year since 2005 and is deserving of the Company of the Year accolade.” Runners up for KPMG Company of the Year were Cleansing Service Group and Dyer & Butler.

ACW Technology, an established electronic manufacturing services provider (EMS) founded in 1989 and based in Southampton with facilities in South Wales and China, won RBS Management Team of the Year.

Dan Salanson, Head of Corporate Banking for RBS in the Solent, commented, “The RBS Management Team of the Year Award aims to highlight teams that have shown leadership, drive and commitment, along with the ability to think and plan ahead. ACW Technology has demonstrated these characteristics and is an example of a well-managed, profitable and highly successful business. Its management team has demonstrated strategic planning, flexibility, problem solving and a willingness to invest in its staff, its processes and its facilities.” Runners up for RBS Management Team of the Year were Cleansing Service Group and Dyer & Butler.

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This is a new award category launched this year and looks to recognise a team of individuals whose commitment, insight and willingness to embrace change has effected positive change within a business.

“We are aware of the wealth of strong management teams in the region and the new category looks to bring these to the fore and celebrate them at this year’s ceremony,” said Dan Salanson, Head of Corporate Banking for RBS in the Solent. “With tougher trading conditions prevailing, the presence of a high calibre strategic management team is essential. It is often during times of more challenging circumstances that the strength and adaptability of a management team comes to light. Factors such as market knowledge and creative ideas coupled with a management team that has the full support and backing of staff throughout its organisation, become ever more crucial to assist a business and help drive it forward.

“This category attracted some very impressive submissions and during the judging process, we were looking out for examples of leadership, drive and commitment, along with the ability to think and plan ahead. The three finalists are ACW Technology, Cleansing Service Group and Dyer & Butler who have demonstrated a clear track record of delivering positive change over recent years'”.

First of the three finalists is ACW Technology Ltd, an established electronic manufacturing services provider (EMS) founded in 1989 and based in Hedge End, Southampton with facilities in South Wales and China. Under the leadership of dynamic founder and executive chairman Chris Woods, managing director, Owen Reeves and the company’s wider management team, ACW has achieved consistent success in maintaining a profitable electronics manufacturing capability within the UK over the last 20 years. With a 460 strong team of highly skilled employees, matched by world-class manufacturing facilities, ACW has expertise in all areas of manufacturing, engineering, sourcing, repair and logistics and acts as a complete end-to-end manufacturing service provider for customers in commercial, industrial, aerospace and defence markets. The company produces 750 different product variants and last year dispatched nearly half a million products for its customers including high definition TV broadcast equipment, military radio, scientific instrumentation aircraft cockpit controls and security equipment.

ACW is an example of a profitable, well-managed, innovative and highly successful Hampshire-based business. Its management team consistently demonstrates strategic thinking/planning, flexibility, problem solving and a willingness to invest in its staff, its processes and its facilities. The team’s ability to stimulate team loyalty and a company-wide desire to provide the best service possible has ultimately seen ACW thrive as an EMS provider in the market today.

Industrial and domestic environmental waste management company, Cleansing Service Group (CSG), is the second of the finalists. One of Hampshire’s oldest companies, CSG is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The company has 19 sites, stretching from Cornwall to Kent and Manchester in the North and was founded by a Hampshire man, Mr Bunny Hart, whose Hampshire Cleansing Service went into business emptying cesspits in the Southampton area. In January 2006 a new Managing Director, Paul Quigley, was appointed following the retirement of the previous incumbent and was charged by the board to develop a business strategy to take the company forward over the next five years. Underpinning the strategic thinking of the plan was a recognition of the growing concern about the environment and especially the fact that a considerable range of increasingly tough environmental legislation governing waste disposal continues to force business in virtually all sectors to manage its wastes as efficiently as any other part of the production process.

The current executive management team which is implementing the strategy is made up of just four people – managing director, Paul Quigley; operations director, Steve Pashley; finance director, Brian Dollen and processing director, Neil Richards. The targets set for the key business development areas identified in the business plan have been exceeded every year for the first three years of the five year plan – 2006 to 2008.

Dyer & Butler, a Southampton-based construction company, is the third finalist in this category. Established 30 years ago, the company manages its operations from the head office in Southampton supported by a network of local offices throughout Southern and South West England and South Wales. Dyer & Butler generates a sizable proportion of its turnover from projects carried out in Hampshire for clients such as Hampshire County Council, Network Rail and Associated British Ports.

Under the direction of Paul Hobbs, Managing Director; John Davies, Finance Director; Neil Edwards, Commercial Director; Steve Jayne and Jon Whitehouse, Operations Directors the management team has successfully maintained a profitable company despite the current economic market and ensures the company has a consistent rate of organic growth. Following the successful establishment of new regional operations in South West England and South Wales, Dyer & Butler has opened two new offices to open up opportunities in the Home Counties, London and the South East area. Building on the successful presence over the past 15 years in the rail and airport sectors the company continues to develop new opportunities in these sectors and to secure contracts with new clients. Dyer & Butler continues to seek opportunities within Hampshire and has this year been successful in securing long-term framework arrangements with both Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council.

Training and development is a key focus within the company and the management team has committed to considerable investment in both time and money to ensure the correct systems are in place to identify exact training needs and to provide the training relative to the requirements of the post held.

The winners of the Hampshire Business Awards will be announced on 8th October at the awards dinner, which this year is being held at the luxury Chewton Glen Country House Hotel in New Milton.

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This award category looks for the best overall business and at every aspect of how a company is run from its staffing through to its financing. Key elements that the judges were looking for include a strong financial track record, the ability to think strategically, keep abreast of new developments and illustrate plans for future growth. While financial performance was a key element, aspects such as a business having a great idea, product or service, with the right people in place to leverage it were also important factors.

Phil Cotton, senior partner at KPMG’s South Coast office, explains further, “This award recognises those companies that have achieved all-round business excellence in their products, services, results and strategic direction. Entries this year were particularly impressive in this category and we’re pleased to announce the three finalists - Chemring Group plc, Cleansing Service Group and Dyer & Butler.”

Last year’s winner of this award was Raymond Brown Minerals & Recycling. The Nursling-based company supplies materials to the construction industry from its own quarries, collects and recycles by-products of construction, and operates landfill sites.

Phil commented, “Raymond Brown Minerals and Recycling stood out as last year’s winner for its clear commercial strategy and business practices which have the added benefit of enhancing and protecting Hampshire’s environment.”

First of the three finalists is Chemring Group, which develops and manufactures chaff and flare countermeasures to protect military aircraft and ships from the ever-increasing threat of guided missiles. Chemring is now the world leader in expendable countermeasures thanks to both its internal research and development, and targeted acquisitions over the last 20 years.

Over the last four years Chemring has transformed its business from the leading player in the niche countermeasures market into a multi-domestic defence business operating in four market segments with 21 sites in eight countries. Through its strategy of well-targeted acquisitions, Chemring has built high margin niche positions in the global Pyrotechnics, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Munitions markets. These markets have a combined value of well over £13bn per year.

Second of the finalists is industrial and domestic environmental waste management company, Cleansing Service Group (CSG). Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, CSG is one of Hampshire’s longest-established companies and has 19 sites, stretching from Cornwall to Kent and Manchester in the North. It has recently experienced one of its most successful periods in its long history during which it has grown to become a significant national operator with a blue chip client base and a reputation for technical innovation.

The company has introduced three innovative processes to recover or recycle valuable components from waste in the last year. It supports the environment by reducing and minimising waste-related environmental degradation, promoting sustainable waste management practices throughout the sectors in which it operates and conserving finite natural resources with a view to their re-use.

Dyer & Butler is the third finalist in this category and is a construction company founded in Southampton in 1979. The company manages its operations from the head office in Southampton supported by a network of local offices throughout Southern and South West England and South Wales. Dyer & Butler generates a sizable proportion of its turnover in Hampshire from clients such as Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council and Associated British Ports.

The company delivered a 20% growth in turnover in its last financial year without affecting the profitability of the company. The company’s objective is to convert good ideas from within the organisation into new and improved services, processes, systems and relationships, to the benefit of clients. Staff at D&B work closely with clients to drive down costs by introducing new techniques and materials.

The Hampshire Business Awards are sponsored by national commercial law firm Bond Pearce, business advisors KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and the winners will be announced on 8th October at the awards dinner, which this year is being held at the luxury Chewton Glen Country House Hotel in New Milton.

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This award category has a history of revealing some of the county’s most exciting businesses yet interestingly, it is not just about technology and scientific wizardry. Previous winners have been recognised for successfully transforming the everyday workings of their teams and organisations. It is often the case that companies are not always aware just how innovative they are being.

“We are delighted to announce the three finalists this year - Chemring Group plc, Cleansing Service Group and PrimerDesign. Innovation is definitely alive and well in Hampshire, which is exactly what we set out to prove and celebrate,” said Nick Page, Chairman of Bond Pearce.

Last year’s winner was Isle of Wight-based Milmega, a specialist design and manufacturer of high power, solid state amplifiers, for its innovative range of products launched in 2007 after a year long development programme. Nick commented, “By combining genuine innovation with market leading business leadership, Milmega continues a proud tradition of global leadership on the Isle of Wight.”

First of the three finalists is Chemring Group, who develop and manufacture chaff and flare countermeasures to protect military aircraft and ships from the ever-increasing threat of guided missiles. Building on both internal research and development, and targeted acquisitions over the last 20 years, Chemring is now the world leader in expendable countermeasures. The business’s innovation process is driven by market intelligence and its strong relationships with its customers. It has not only rapidly developed and qualified new, advanced countermeasures, but has scaled up manufacturing capacity to produce and deliver these flares in high volumes.

Chemring operates a Foresight process to anticipate the likely evolution of guided missile threats over an extended timescale of over ten years. This underpins early stage “blue sky” research into new materials, designs and even fundamentally new approaches to protecting aircraft. Early stage research is conducted internally and also in conjunction with leading universities. In an innovative partnership, Chemring is working with Cranfield University on a number of academic research projects, including PhD studies into countermeasures and computer modelling.

Second of the finalists is industrial and domestic environmental waste management company, Cleansing Service Group (CSG). One of Hampshire’s longest-established companies, CSG was founded in 1934 and has 19 sites, stretching from Cornwall to Kent and Manchester in the North. The company has introduced three innovative processes to recover or recycle valuable components from waste in the last year, one of which is the development of a process to recover non-ferrous metals of a high purity, in particular nickel, from waste solutions generated mainly by the plating industry.

Although it has been possible for many years to recover valuable metals from solution, the process is difficult with only low percentages of quantity and purity being possible. The result is that, after the minimum of treatment, much of it finishes up in hazardous or non-hazardous landfill.

The plant built to develop and prove the technology puts the waste solution through a pioneering multi-stage pre-treatment chemical process before conventional electrolysis is employed to plate out the nickel. Results have shown the new method consistently delivers viable amounts of nickel of 99.9% purity. The company expects the facility to be in full production in the very near future.

CSG believes it is important for the increasingly fragile environment that as much as possible of this valuable metal bearing waste, which has recently been re-classified as hazardous by the Environment Agency, is recycled and doesn’t finish up in landfill sites, or is disposed of illegally. The current installation has concentrated on recovering nickel but it will be duplicated if it is decided to use the technology to recover other metals from waste such as copper.

PrimerDesign is the third finalist in this category and an innovative company that produces DNA detection kits based on real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology. PCR technology, in simple terms, is a method of amplifying DNA. The ability to transform a minute amount of a specific DNA target into a large amount is a crucial research tool but can also be used for diagnostic purposes. The PrimerDesign team recently developed a Swine Flu detection kit that specifically and quickly amplified the Mexican H1N1 Swine Flu DNA. Amplification is monitored by fluorescent output and if a sample is taken from a patient and the kit gives a positive fluorescent signal then a positive diagnosis can be made.

The PrimerDesign kit gives a result in two hours as opposed to the three day process that was previously in place. The company began in the SETsquared Business Incubation centre based at the University of Southampton. The Centre provided PrimerDesign with business support through a mentorship programme and business planning advice.

The company is still a part of the programme now. The SETsquared Partnership is a research and enterprise collaboration between the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey, which aims to maximise universities’ impact on the UK economy through enterprise.

The winners of the Hampshire Business Awards will be announced on 8th October at the awards dinner, which this year is being held at the luxury Chewton Glen Country House Hotel in New Milton.

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The finalists are as follows:

Bond Pearce Innovation Award

• Chemring Group plc
• Cleansing Service Group
• PrimerDesign

KPMG Company of the Year

• Chemring Group plc
• Cleansing Service Group
• Dyer & Butler

RBS Management Team of the Year

• ACW Technology
• Cleansing Service Group
• Dyer & Butler

The awards judging panel which includes senior executives from the local business community, representatives from the Daily Echo and also from the three sponsors - national commercial law firm Bond Pearce, business advisors KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland – have found the judging particularly difficult this year as the standard of entries was so high.

Nick Page, Chairman of Bond Pearce, said “Judging the submissions is always difficult and with so many strong entries this year, we’ve really struggled. For the Bond Pearce Innovation Award there are three finalists – industrial and domestic environmental waste management company, Cleansing Service Group; pyrotechnics and countermeasures manufacturers, Chemring Group plc and PrimerDesign, who develop DNA test kits. All three have proved that innovation is alive and well in Hampshire, which is exactly what we set out to demonstrate and celebrate.”

Phil Cotton, senior partner at KPMG commenting on the finalists of the KMPG Company of the Year award, said “For the winner of this award, we look for the best overall business and at every aspect of how a company is run from its staffing through to its financing. The finalists have demonstrated all-round business excellence in their products, services, results and strategic direction. Congratulations to countermeasures specialists, Chemring Group plc; construction firm, Dyer & Butler and Cleansing Service Group, one of Hampshire’s longest established companies, for becoming finalists in what has been a particularly tough category to judge.”

Dan Salanson, Head of Corporate Banking for RBS in the Solent, added “The RBS Management Team of the Year Award aims to highlight teams that have shown leadership, drive and commitment, along with the ability to think and plan ahead. We’d like to congratulate Dyer & Butler, Cleansing Service Group and ACW Technology, who are finalists in this category, and all the other finalists who have been shortlisted. We’re looking forward to the awards dinner when this year’s winners will be announced.”

The Hampshire Business Awards are now in their 19th year and have established themselves as a prestigious event, a staple in the local business community’s diary. Supporting the awards and facilitating this year’s awards dinner, is MCCP, which specialises in event management, corporate communication projects and video production for both the public and private sectors.

Finalists and invitees from the local business community will attend the Chewton Glen Country House Hotel in New Milton, which was itself a finalist in 2008, for the announcement of the Hampshire Business Awards 2009 winners on 8th October.

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The three sponsors – national commercial law firm Bond Pearce, business advisors KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) – also play their part in the judging process. “This year, we have seen a record number of entries and the standards are very high,” explains, Nick Page, Chairman of Bond Pearce. “Judging the submissions is always difficult and with so many strong submissions, we’ve really struggled.”

Phil Cotton, senior partner at KPMG comments, “We’ve had entries from a broad range of businesses from all over Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It’s great to see the awards have attracted such a large number of quality submissions. It goes to show that despite the current economic climate, businesses are still thriving and the awards acknowledge and celebrate this.”

“There are some high calibre candidates this year that have displayed real business acumen,” adds Dan Salanson, Head of Corporate Banking for RBS in the Solent. “The challenge now is drilling these down and deciding our finalists for the three award categories – the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, KPMG Company of the Year and RBS Management Team of the Year.”

The Hampshire Business Awards are now in their 19th year and have established themselves as a prestigious event, a staple in the local business community’s diary. Supporting the awards and facilitating this year’s awards dinner, is MCCP, which specialises in event management, corporate communication projects and video production for both the public and private sectors.

Finalists and invitees from the local business community will attend the Chewton Glen Country House Hotel in New Milton, which was itself a finalist in 2008, for the announcement of the Hampshire Business Awards 2009 winners on 8th October.

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“It’s not just the positive comments we get from our customers but also the intangible aspects. Winning last year has helped to emphasise the fact that we are a credible, quality company. We won the RBS International Company Award last year and were finalists in the KPMG Company of the Year category. We use these in our recruitment and induction material and proudly display our award in our offices which is often a topic of conversation,” says Sean Biddlecombe, Director of International Marketing at Garmin Europe, the global leaders in GPS technology. The company’s local operations are the sales, support and distribution hub for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Raymond Brown Minerals & Recycling is part of the Raymond Brown Group and offers a one-stop solution for aggregates in the construction industry. Kelvin White, Group Managing Director at Raymond Brown, winners of the KPMG Company of the Year, echoed Sean’s point on non tangible benefits and felt the win was an added bonus for the staff at Raymond Brown as they could share in the business’ success. “We are now publicly seen as a very attractive employer and the award has definitely helped raise general awareness of our company,” said Kelvin. He could also pinpoint very tangible rewards due to this growing awareness. The commercial benefits were almost immediate for us as shortly after our win last year we were contacted by Hanson Contracting to support them in their bid for the Dorset Term Services Partnership. Hanson were successful in the bid and we are now formally part of that supply chain providing recycled aggregates for at least the next five years. I would say the main advantage for us is that people are now much more aware of what we do and are thinking of us when they are in need of the services we offer.”

“On a more personal level, the awards were a great way to celebrate the lifelong work of founder Raymond Brown who sadly passed away at the end of last year. As colleagues and friends of Raymond, we were all delighted to receive the award as an acknowledgement of his hard work and dedication to the business,” added Kelvin.

Isle-of-Wight-based Milmega design, develop and manufacture solid state high-power broadband amplifiers for commercial and government purposes and won the Bond Pearce Innovation Award. “We were delighted to win the award last year. Innovation is our main aim and although we are seen as an innovative company, winning an award like this reinforces the fact,” said Finance Director, Graeme Goodall. “When we attended the IEEE event in Detroit - our key industry show for electronics - we were billed top of the newsletter distributed at the event directly as a result of winning the Hampshire Business Innovation Award. This gave us the opportunity to promote ourselves and be seen by all those attending the show. We’ve really used the win to leverage our marketing.”

The Hampshire Business Awards are now in their 19th year and have established themselves as a prestigious event, a staple in the local business community’s diary. The organisers and three sponsors - national commercial law firm Bond Pearce, business advisors KPMG and The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) – are searching for the county’s very best business talent. The sponsors are keen to attract entries from as many organisations as possible from the length and breadth of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Supporting the awards and facilitating this year’s awards dinner is MCCP, which specialises in event management, corporate communication projects and video production for both the public and private sectors.

Only four days remain to enter the three award categories – the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, KPMG Company of the Year and RBS Management Team of the Year. Businesses can enter as many of the three categories as they wish ahead of the deadline of Friday 12 June.

For details of how to get your company involved in the Hampshire Business Awards 2009, log onto http://www.hampshirebusinessawards.co.uk/ or call Hazel Gibbs at KPMG on 023 8020 2051.

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