News

RCT is the Business

12 Mar 2010

Rhondda Cynon Taf businesses celebrated their achievements at the annual Business Club Gala Awards and Dinner evening.

Cllr Cannon, Sara & Nick

Nick Hewer, the mentor from the successful BBC TV show The Apprentice and television personality Sara Edwards were the guests of honour at this year’s Rhondda Cynon Taf Business Club Awards.

They got the evening into full swing and helped celebrate the talent, innovation and success that led to this year’s winners securing their awards.

Held at the Heritage Park Hotel in Trehafod, the Gala Dinner and Awards evening is now in its fourth year and is organised to celebrate businesses of all sizes within the County Borough and promoting best practice in business.

The evening is just as much about inspiring all businesses as it is about celebrating the success and achievements of the winners, which this year were:

Bilingual Business of the Year
in association with Bwrdd Yr Iaith Gymraeg/The Welsh Language Board

Winner – Job Trac Cymru

jobtraccymru


Job Trac Cymru is based in Pontypridd and specialises in Welsh language recruitment and is testimony to the fact that Welsh is increasingly a force in the workplace. Job Trac Cymru provides links to language refresher courses, free CV writing, links to translation and other language services. It also offers language testing and has a website dedicated to Welsh speaking jobs. This year it also launched a specialist health and safety training service for employers in Welsh.


Environmental Business of the Year
in association with L’Oreal UK

Winner – Eden Shelving

eden


Eden Shelving, which are based in Hirwaun and submitted an impressive entry that strongly illustrated its commitment to the environment and sustainable business practices. The company has sustainability and the reduction of its environmental impact at the heart of what it does. Specialising in the manufacture of shelving systems for the retail sector, Eden employs 61 people and has an environmental improvement programme that runs across all departments to reduce use of paper, gas, water and electricity. Its carbon emissions have fallen, as have its use of landfill and the production and waste of steel. Clydach Vale-based

Runner-up - HSW Print

HSW Print was highly commended in this category. It has nine in-house departments providing a full customer service from artwork development through to printing, finishing, delivery, storage and nationwide mailing. HSW Print was hailed as a credible runner-up in a very strong category of the awards.

International Company of the Year
in association with Markes International

Winner - Asbri Golf

asbri


Asbri Golf based on the Maritime Industrial Estate and a winning entry which was born out of Wales’ successful bid to host the 2010 Ryder Cup. Asbri currently supplies over 475 UK stockists and exports to 20 countries worldwide. They used their design background and experience to develop and distribute sporting products and accessories, securing Asbri Golf as the contract for Ryder Cup 2010 official licensee.

Excellence in Marketing
in association with the Chartered Institute of Marketing

Winner - Ethos Creative

EthosLtd


Ethos Creative based in Llantrisant. The company has secured contracts for the likes of All Natural Juice, British Gas and Bafta Cymru among others and is set to stand among Wales’ leading marketing and PR agencies as it continues to grow.

Runner up - Louise Worth Business Development

Louise Worth Business Development a new start-up firm based in Pontypridd was also highly commended in this category for the services it offers, providing a broad range of marketing, product management and staff training support that meets the needs of clients.

People Development Company of the Year
in association with the Local Investment Fund South East Wales

Winner – Talk Training Ltd

talk


Talk Training Ltd is based in Nantgarw and is fast becoming the market leader in the delivery of Government-funded training programmes, as well as its commitment to the training of its own managers and staff. This has led to better morale, better staff retention, reduced absenteeism, a ready acceptance of change across the company and a clear vision from all employees of the organisation’s overall goals.

Runner up - Tubex Ltd

Tubex Ltd based in Aberaman Industrial Estate, was commended in this category for its clever use of business support structures and staff organisation to up-skill its workforce during a short period on the factory floor. This has led to tangible benefits and a more skilled, motivated and committed workforce that contributes to the company’s success.

Business Start-up of the Year
in association with Venture Wales

Winner - Techsol UK Ltd

techsol


Techsol UK Ltd which is based on Navigation Park in Abercynon It secured the award for its firm grasp on the development, branding and placement of their product. Techsol UK Ltd offers itself as a complete engineering and product development partner for the support of introducing new products to the market. It offers an exceptional approach to problem-solving and design-led manufacture and its key services include a full product design cycle, protyping, problem diagnostics, consultation, market research and development.

Runner up - Paramount Recruitment Wales

Paramount Recruitment Wales, based in Pontypridd, was highly commended in this category for its strong brand and good reputation as it delivers a professional recruitment consultancy service, specialising in temporary and permanent recruitment across a range of industry sectors.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Business of the Year in association with Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC
Innovative Company of the Year in association with Heads of the Valleys Programme

Winner – DecTek Ltd

dectek


DecTek Ltd based on the Treforest Industrial Estate. Already commended in recent years for its use of the internet and innovative marketing to ensure it has a European profile, Dectek caught the eye of judges this year for its model example of cutting edge product development via market research, testing, development and partnership working. Dectek has secured industry confidence in the reliability, quality and effectiveness of its product, which is set to revolutionise the world of Radio Frequency ID logistical asset tracking.

Cllr Paul Cannon, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Housing, said: "Congratulations to all our winners and runners up in the 2010 Business Club Awards!

"Credit must be given to all applicants as the standard of their entries was very high and drove up the level of the overall competition, meaning there were many strong contenders this year.

"In these difficult economic times, it is important for us to seek inspiration and motivation in order to drive us towards the future and I hope the success of the businesses recognised by the awards have inspired others to do the same.

"They also serve as testament that RCT has a lot to be proud of and we remain ready for business.

"The Council’s Business Support Team runs the RCT Business Club and also offers a range of services and interventions to assist local enterprises."