Nominations wanted for medium or large category of Bradford Means Business Awards (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Nominations wanted for medium or large category of Bradford Means Business Awards

11:33am Friday 10th February 2012 in The Awards By David Barnett

Big can be beautiful – and if you run a medium or large business, then why not enter the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Means Business Awards 2012?

We’re accepting entries now for this year’s awards at the dedicated section of our website, www.telegraphand argus.co.uk/bradfordmeansbusiness.

The deadline is Wednesday, February 29.

The Medium/Large Business of the Year Award category, sponsored by Freeman Grattan Holdings, is for businesses with a turnover greater than £1 million which show strong financial performance, good staff and customer care, and which demonstrate a real potential for future success.

We’ll also be looking at what kind of positive impact they’ve had on the community.

We need to see evidence of outstanding organisation, excellent financial returns, strong growth and innovative strategies.

Your submission might include details of principal products and services, any obstacles faced and overcome, and strategies for future growth and development.

We want to see how the company demonstrates its responsibility to the community as well as holding its own in its business sector.

Family-owned company Ashtree Glass came out top in this fiercely-fought category in 2011.

The company manufactures rear-view mirrors for all types of commercial vehicles.

It was founded in 1977 and originally bought and sold replacement mirror glasses for truck mirrors, before expanding to supply mirrors and replacement glasses.

The company was originally run from a spare room in the owner’s house.

The current factory in Brownroyd Street, Bradford, was bought in 1984 after the company outgrew its two rented premises.

Founder Alan Roper said he was proud to have won the award.

He said: “We were established here 33 years ago and we have always been in Bradford.”

On receiving the award he added: “Having seen all the companies who are here tonight, it is a something of a surprise that we won it and it is a bit of an honour.”

Highly commended were: Park House Healthcare, based at Whitehall 26 Business Park, Heathfield Lane, Birkenshaw; and social housing landlord Incommunities Group Ltd, Bradford.