Outstanding Businesses in RCT
Businesses from all sectors and sizes have been commended at a
prestigious ceremony organised by Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Business Club.
Welsh star of stage and screen, Ruth Jones was guest speaker at the event, now in its third year, which recognises and awards the positive steps Rhondda Cynon Taf’s businesses are making.
Leading figure in Welsh broadcasting Jamie Owen, led proceedings at the Heritage Park Hotel on Friday March 6th. The Rhondda Cynon Taf Business Club Gala Dinner and Awards evening was launched in 2007 to celebrate the innovation and commitment being demonstrated by the Rhondda Cynon Taf business community.
With awards for marketing excellence, new business start-up, bilingual business of the year and more, the event has become a way to honour the achievement of firms as an inspiration for others.
Councilor, Paul Cannon, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Housing, said:
“Since we launched the Business Club three years ago, it has gone from strength to strength and it is extremely important to the economy of Rhondda Cynon Taf. Being part of an organisation such as the Business Club can only be good for businesses and we want to grow the membership further through more improvements such as expanding online services.”
“The Business Club has enabled member companies to take their operation to the next level, thanks to expertise and advice on issues such as marketing, protecting the environment, dealing with HR and legal issues and so on.”
“Events take place throughout the year and the highlight of the calendar is definitely the Gala Awards and Dinner evening when businesses, irrespective of their size, age or specialty, are commended for their achievements.”
The winners of this year’s event were:
Markes International Ltd - Rhondda Cynon Taf Company of the Year in association with Rhondda Cynon Taf Business Club.
And
International Business of the Year - in association with L’Oreal Manufacturing (UK) Ltd.
Markes International was formed in 1997 as a specialist manufacturer of laboratory instruments designed to monitor trace toxic and odorous chemicals in air and materials.
Over the past 11 years Markes has grown to become one of the world’s leading suppliers of thermal desorption (TD) equipment. Serving fast growing markets from environmental health and safety to materials testing. Markes’ global customer base includes major industry, government agencies, academia and the service laboratory sector.
Over the last 3 years Markes has invested heavily in acquiring and developing new measurement technologies to complement its existing thermal desorption business. These include high sensitivity Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry and unique data processing software.
Elizabeth Woolfenden - “The first thing we will be doing after winning this award is celebrate within the company. We are so proud. To also win the Rhondda Cynon Taf Company of the Year is a real honor, everyone in the company is thrilled.”
Talk Training - People Development Company of the Year - in association with Groundwork Merthyr & Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Talk Training has established itself as a market leader in the delivery of government funded training programmes covering Skill Build Learning, Foundation Modern Apprenticeship (FMA) and Modern Apprenticeship (MA) Frameworks.
As a training provider to The Welsh Assembly Government Talk Training deliver training to 1300 learners per annum, from public sector organisations through to manufacturing.
Jonathan Hughes - “I think it’s a great honour to achieve this award on this auspicious occasion. We are all very proud.”
Job Trac Cymru Ltd Bilingual Business of the Year - in association with Bwrdd Yr Iaith Gymraeg/The Welsh Language Board.
Job Trac Cymru is the only specialist recruitment agency that sources permanent and temporary jobs for Welsh speakers. It also provides links to Welsh language refresher courses, free CV writing, links to translation services and other Welsh related services.
In addition it provides a low cost recruitment advertising website solely for Welsh speaking vacancies called www.safleswyddi.com.
Helena Jones - “We have been lucky enough to win the award again this year, we are all very proud, it will have pride of place in our office.”
Tubex Environmental Business of the Year - in association with BT Wales.
Tubex is a privately owned business providing plant care products to promote the successful establishment of trees and vines. Specialising in Forestry, Viticulture, Landscaping and Fruit Markets it is the market leader in its range of product. Tubex sells to more than 40 countries with significant markets in the UK, Europe and N.America. Tubex is based in Aberdare with subsidiary companies in France and Italy.
Simon White - “It feels fantastic to have won the award. We take the environment very seriously not only in the way we operate but also in the goods we produce.”
Complete Background Screening Ltd - Innovative Company of the Year - in association with Lloyds TSB Commercial.
Complete Background Screening Ltd acts as an Umbrella Body for the Criminal Records Bureau and provides a unique one-stop shop for background screening and vetting. Through its ability to access and research a comprehensive range of registered databases, CBS can provide clarity and eliminate doubt with such checks as criminal reports, credit searches, employment and qualification verification and much more.
Rachel Bedgood - “Innovation is usually given to companies who manufacture a product, we are in the service industry so its brilliant to receive it.”
Ethos Creative - Excellence in Marketing – in association with The Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Ethos Creative is a graphics design and advertising business based in Llantrisant trading since October 2004.
Ethos is a creative agency offering clients a range of services including graphic design, web-site design and construction, advertising, direct marketing (list sourcing, design, mailing) Bluetooth marketing, point-of-sale and print management.
Ross Hutchins - “Its fantastic to be an award winner. I really wasn't expecting it at all. We put a good marketing plan together, which really works for us and it has exceeded that.”
Silentpeaks Ltd - Business Start-up of the Year - in association with Venture Wales.
Silentpeaks is a company specialising in portable acoustic solutions. It was set up to design, manufacture and distribute portable acoustic panels, microphone shields, portable vocal booths and loudspeaker isolators for the recording music industry. Silentpeaks products are amongst the lightest and quickest to set up in a worldwide market, which has enabled them to have an active ten and nine star award from the world leading Musictech magazine.
David Williams - “To be an award winner is great, superb! Now we have got the award I can show it to organisations and customers to obviously progress the business.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf Business Club welcomes all businesses. If you are interested in networking, growing your business and building upon your customer and supplier base please visit: www.rctbusinessclub.co.uk. Alternatively call Lorna Reed on 01443 495178 to find out more about Business Club events and membership.
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Content authorised by: Marketing & Communications Team
Last revised on: 23/3/2009