Five outstanding East Sussex Companies named as finalists in South East Business Awards
Five East Sussex companies have been announced as finalists in the 2008 South East Business Awards.
The Awards, managed by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), recognise companies that have demonstrated a powerful business contribution to the region. The Awards celebrate successes across eight different categories that include rewarding companies’ sustainability initiatives, contribution to the community, and innovative business practices. More than 300 companies from across the South East entered the awards, with 28 making it through to the finals.
The finalists from East Sussex include:
Bioshuttles, based in Crowborough, is the UK’s first ecologic private taxi hire company, and is a finalist in the Sustainable Business - Environment Category, sponsored by the Environment Agency. Bioshuttles’ taxi fleet is powered by locally produced biodiesel fuel and the company is actively involved in researching the environmental impact of switching to biodiesel fuel.
Plastipack, a specialist manufacturer of heavy duty polyethylene bubble material produced for swimming pool covers based in St. Leonard’s on Sea, is a finalist in the International category sponsored by UKTI. Plastipack is a market leader in Europe and has a significant presence in Australia and South Africa.
Prime Care Community Service, a community social care provider in Seaford, is a finalist in the Skills Category, sponsored by the Learning & Skills Council. Prime Care provides social care workers and support staff 365 days a year to help older people needing assistance to live as independently as possible in their own homes.
Pure, an email and SMS marketing firm in Brighton, is a finalist in both the Business Growth Category sponsored by Business Link and the Innovation and Creativity Category, sponsored by QinetiQ & Shoosmiths. Pure has the largest customer base of any UK-based email service provider, and also publishes the Email Marketing Manual, a best practice guide for the industry.
Tiger Enterprises , a Newhaven based company that specialises in carbon reduction by reclaiming reusable building materials, is a finalist in the Young Entrepreneur category. Tiger Enterprises was founded by 25 year old Daniel Hill, who was inspired to start up in business after spotting a gap in the market during six years spent working in construction.
Jeff Alexander, Executive Director of SEEDA’s Global Competitiveness Division and head judge for the South East Business Awards, commended the finalists, commenting:
“Congratulations to Bioshuttles, Plastipack, Prime Care Community Service, Pure and Tiger Enterprises for achieving a place as South East Business Award finalists. They faced tough competition and have truly been established as several of the region’s most outstanding companies. SEEDA’s recent research* shows that companies value awards as having a positive impact on their business, and hopefully they will find their participation in the South East Business Awards reflects this.”
Over the next few weeks the companies will receive visits from the South East Business Award judges as part of a rigorous evaluation process to identify the best in eight categories. The visits are designed not only to assist the judges in choosing the top company in each category but to give all finalists the opportunity to meet with highly ranked professional peers and evaluate how they can continue to develop their businesses.
The winners will be announced at the South East Business Awards final on 6th March, Ascot Racecourse, where Digby Lord Jones, Minister for Trade & Investment, will give the keynote speech.
More information about the Awards is available from the Awards website.
8 Feb 2008