Three show creative skill
DIVERSE and creative, that was the verdict of our judges after reading the nominations for the New Business category of the Evening Courier Business Awards.
There was a tremendous response including trades, professions and vocations, evidence that Calderdale is still a creative and ingenuitive hub for new industry.
The judges, Simon Walton, of Riley and Co, which sponsors the New Business Award, Nick Worsnop, of Chadwick Lawrence, the main Business Awards sponsors, and Courier Editor John Furbisher, set out to discover which best embodied the category criteria.
New businesses entering the awards had to be less than two years old and independent of any other established companies.
They had to show they had thoroughly researched their market before setting up the business.
They also had to show a clear business strategy, innovative thinking, an understanding of the needs of a growing business and critically, have a carefully mapped out plan to maintain development and growth.
Simon Walton said his company had been keen to support the category because it underlined how new business encouraged and motivated people to "think outside the box."
He said: "New business proves how people can be creative and allows them to vent their innovative streak.
"It was gratifying to attract nominations from trade, the professions and a vocation.
"It demonstrates how innovative people in Calderdale are."
Nick Worsnop was excited by the mix of nominations.
"It proves that there is strength for the future in the traditional trades and the new upcoming professions and vocations," he said.
There were three successful nominees.
Five's big gamble paid dividends with growth
WR Pressings, of Springvale Works, Brookfoot, Brighouse, is a traditional business born of five employees investing redundancy payment in the defunct West Riding Pressings.
Karl Gerrard and his co founders spent time listening to the experts in business management and followed their advice before approaching former customers.
Theirs could have been classed as a big risk at a time when traditional manufacturing is struggling, but the gamble has paid off.
After a year of trading the company has not only turned in a profit but persuaded former customers to come back on board and attracted new clients.
It is now the sole UK metal pressings supplier to Sharp (Microwaves).
It has increased its staff and plans continued growth and expansion.
Claire stepped in to get national success
Babyballet – song and dance for children as young as 18 months – was the brainchild of Claire O'Connor and has been so successful it is now being franchised across Britain.
The judges were attracted to the Halifax town-centre company's vocational zeal to promote a healthy lifestyle for children by offering a social activity.
Franchisees are guaranteed support, training and a cut of merchandise revenue as they take the brand across the UK from Calderdale.
To ensure longevity Mrs O'Connor has added complementary products including birthday parties.
Muscling in on the big names
The Trading Floor, based at the Warehouse in Sowerby Bridge proved it is still possible for the small company to muscle in on the big commercial players.
Founders Chris McDonald and Harry Cummine, painstakingly researched their chosen field for 18 months before starting to manage unconverted data from large UK insurance companies.
With high profile clients such as Norwich Union and Lloyds TSB, the company, which now employs 24, has grown and recently made its first acquisition.
Proof if any was needed that The Trading Floor is looking to the future.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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