 
Promedics Orthopaedic Ltd, Blairs Ltd and Gerry Edwards OBE of National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd, have scooped the top titles in the fifth annual Greenock Chamber of Commerce Bee’s Knees Awards 2008. Each picked up a Bee’s Knees trophy and cheque for £1,000 at a special awards dinner in Greenock Town Hall last night (Friday 6 June), having been selected out of nine finalists across three categories.
“The Bee’s Knees Awards initiative is Greenock Chamber’s opportunity to throw the spotlight on Inverclyde business,” said Elaine Stewart of Elaine Stewart Public Relations Ltd, who is Chamber senior vice president and was chair of the judging panel this year. “We believe our winners are truly outstanding and reflect the high calibre and diversity of businesses here in Inverclyde.
“We’ve seen flair and we’ve seen great fortitude from a fabulously diverse wealth of talent within our local business community. These individuals and companies are making a real impact on their markets locally, nationally and internationally.
“As we continue an exciting period of significant regeneration for Inverclyde, we believe the combined strength of our businesses will do much to add to its success.”
The finalists were: Bee’s Knees Award for Best Leadership sponsored by Riverside Inverclyde: Ruth Cooper, Head of Student Services, James Watt College; Gerry Edwards OBE, Vice President & Managing Director, National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd; and John Torley, Managing Director, Blairs Ltd.
Bee’s Knees Award for Best Employer sponsored by Workforce Plus: Ballyconnelly Construction Ltd, Blairs Ltd, and Promedics Orthopaedic Ltd.
Bee’s Knees Award for Best Business sponsored by Greenock Chamber of Commerce: Cloch Housing Association, Promedics Orthopaedic Ltd and Stepper Technology Ltd.
 
 
Winners in each of the three categories were awarded a cheque for £1,000 and an exclusive Bee’s Knees trophy. Special guest speaker at the dinner, serial entrepreneur Gio Benedetti CBE, chairman of Benedetti International plc, presented the winners with their prizes.
Joining Elaine on the judging panel line up were Bill Nicol, chief executive, Riverside Inverclyde; Jan Phillips, customer service operations manager, Jobcentre Plus (representing Workforce Plus); Bill Mitchell, Chamber past president and partner, Patten & Prentice; and Charles Shaw, chairman, 5pm.co.uk and chairman X402 Ltd.
The Greenock Chamber of Commerce Bee’s Knees Awards 2008 is sponsored by Riverside Inverclyde, Workforce Plus, Turnberry Homes, Elaine Stewart Public Relations Ltd, Greenock Telegraph, Blairs Ltd, James Watt College of Further and Higher Education, National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd, Vested Interest Design, Inverclyde Council and the Bank of Scotland
BEE’S KNEES AWARDS 2008 – THE FINALISTS
CATEGORY - BEST LEADERSHIP
RUTH COOPER, Head of Student Services, James Watt College of Further & Higher Education
A consistency with innovative ideas and a real ability to make things happen, has seen Ruth Cooper help secure in excess of £16 million in funding since she joined James Watt College in 2000 as Head of European Programmes. No mean feat, especially as she started at a time when EU money to Scotland was halved and competition for funding became fierce.
With only the best, most innovative projects approved, Ruth’s role has been to develop applications for EU and other funding bodies. She has steadily built up the team around her from a couple of people in the beginning, expanding to 24 by 2006, to support and implement her work. Their success has brought great benefit to many – more than 6,000 people in fact.
Over the years, Ruth has nurtured a team approach, always crediting achievements to everyone involved. She is seen by her team and other College colleagues as someone who really makes a difference, leading from the front, bringing inspiration, motivation, enthusiasm, optimism and passion to her work.
GERRY EDWARDS OBE, Vice President & Managing Director, National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd
Gerry Edwards has spent most of his working life in the semiconductor industry. He joined National Semiconductor in Greenock in 1996 as the Fab 1 Operations Director. Early on in his career at Greenock, the National Semiconductor Corporation decided to rationalise its manufacturing operations. This had significant implications for the Greenock site and Gerry, as part of a small team, played a key role in the survival and upgrading of operations.
Following the manufacturing reorganisation in 2000, Gerry was appointed Managing Director of the site and subsequently became Vice President of Operations in the UK. During his period of leadership, he has overseen significant progress in cost performance, yield improvements and on-time delivery at Greenock.
Gerry received an OBE in 2007 and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Paisley in 2002 for his services to Scottish business. He is President of Scottish Engineering, a Director of the National Microelectronics Institute and a former Non-Executive Director of Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire. He is also a Director of Riverside Inverclyde and holds a number of other key non-executive directorships and appointments.
JOHN TORLEY, Managing Director, Blairs Ltd
Having previously worked as the company’s Finance Director, John Torley has taken on the role of Managing Director at Greenock-based Blairs Ltd, the country’s largest designer and manufacturer of high quality, bespoke timber windows and doors.
Blairs, which has a 160-strong full time workforce, is a company that has been recognised for its excellence in many fields. Now celebrating 100 years of business, Blairs supplies all market sectors from private dwellings, tower blocks, social housing and stately homes, to schools, public buildings and industrial constructions.
During his time as Finance Director, John oversaw the financial aspects of a major three stage expansion project at Blairs, which involved the £2 million regeneration of the custom-built manufacturing facility in Baker Street. The investment behind this project resulted in the capacity of the plant increasing to more than 40,000 windows each year.
Now his promotion to Managing Director, following the strong performance of Owen Quinn, is indicative of his strength and ability as a leader who will help take the Blairs business on to the next level.
CATEGORY - BEST EMPLOYER
BALLYCONNELLY CONSTRUCTION LTD
In an industry where sub contract labour is the norm, Ballyconnelly Construction Ltd has proved that there is another way to do business by employing 21 full time staff. All enjoy a wealth of benefits not commonly found elsewhere in the construction industry.
The company has also chosen to recruit a more mature group of people with four of its staff in their 50s. The great expertise and maturity they bring to the business are viewed as a major benefit, not least of all thanks to their positive influence on younger employees.
Ballyconnelly has recruited most of its employees from within Inverclyde, working closely with the National Children’s Home of Scotland, Inverclyde Employability Trust and New Deal to give an outlet to people eager to progress through work. It also has a high level of commitment to apprenticeships in Inverclyde.
With its employees genuinely valued as key assets, Ballyconnelly’s priorities for recruitment will always be based around what an employee can bring to the organisation, not just in the short term but, significantly, also over the long term.
BLAIRS LTD
Blairs Ltd has developed an outstanding generation of employees – the majority from within Inverclyde including many family members. The result is well qualified, well trained and well motivated people, who are well equipped for the challenge of dealing with global market players competing in the UK.
The 100-year-old Greenock-based company is the country’s largest designer and manufacturer of high quality, bespoke timber windows and doors. Blairs cites a great strength as its people. Other than two ladies who job share, its 160-strong workforce is full time.
Many appointments come from its current team as it develops and promotes from within. It believes looking at its own staff first encourages them to take part in the training on offer and continue their personal growth. Most recent employee developments include the introduction of steering groups, cross training of shop floor workers - to create a highly skilled, more flexible workforce - H&S training and people in their final MBA year.
Blairs constantly aims to recruit and develop an outstanding generation of employees, supported by a first class rewards and benefits package.
PROMEDICS ORTHOPAEDIC LTD
Promedics Limited relocated its manufacturing, warehousing and distribution functions to Port Glasgow from Lancashire at the end of 2004. The company supplies a wide range of orthopaedic and mobility products throughout the UK and worldwide from its 42,000sq ft facility at Port Glasgow Industrial Estate.
Its decision to relocate to Inverclyde was driven by staff and space shortages in Blackburn. In contrast, there was a suitable factory in Port Glasgow and an appropriately skilled workforce to enable recruitment on its doorstep.
Yet, teething problems in the first year made trading difficult, leading to insecurities and low moral amongst the management and workforce. To compound matters, foreign competition imposed a downward pressure on earnings. Promedics recognised that it needed to develop a strategy to overcome these issues and improve morale fast. The workplace has dramatically improved since then with good communications fundamental to success.
Always keen to recruit locally, Promedics now employs more than 100 people. This significant change in work culture has reaped many benefits and employees work hard to maintain a quality, high performance service for customers.
CATEGORY - BEST BUSINESS
CLOCH HOUSING ASSOCIATION
In the 40 years since it was established, Cloch Housing Association has developed into a business with a £3 million turnover, creating employment opportunities locally and work for local contractors and consultants.
Formed in 1968 as a charitable, non profit making organisation, Cloch’s main objective then was to provide suitable affordable rented accommodation to stem the flow of young families leaving the area. Today activities have been broadened thanks to funding from Scottish Homes and subsequently Communities Scotland, coupled with raising private finance.
It now employs 49 staff to provide, manage and maintain 1400 good quality homes for affordable rent across Inverclyde. There is also a factoring service for a further 400 properties and a care and repair service for elderly and disabled owners.
Testament to its success, 98% of Inverclyde Council tenants voted in favour of a transfer to Cloch. Over the next five years, more than 200 houses in Greenock will be demolished to make way for new homes provided for affordable rent and shared equity. Cloch is looking forward to a busy time ahead.
PROMEDICS ORTHOPAEDIC LTD
Promedics started life in 1982 as a family business in Lancashire, manufacturing orthopaedic soft goods for the UK market. The business grew into the UK market leader, simultaneously developing international markets. With a £7 million turnover today, it sells more than 5,000 products ranging from hand braces to spinal support products and sales now reach over 30 countries.
When it needed to expand to meet demand, the company chose to relocate its manufacturing and distribution facilities to Port Glasgow in 2004. This was driven by the availability of a suitable building and a readily available workforce skilled as sewing machinists.
Increase in demand across its operation saw the workforce climb to 100. Sales output has increased by 40%, manufacturing efficiency is up 30% and customer service is the best in the industry.
Now an exciting multi-million pound management buy-out has seen the Lancashire headquarters move to Port Glasgow and head count increase to 140. More staff will be recruited as the company aims to increase its turnover, develop further by introducing new products and expand into new export markets.
STEPPER TECHNOLOGY LTD
Stepper Technology supplies refurbished photolithography tools to businesses in the Nanotech, MEMS and application-specific semiconductor sectors. While it began with a first year turnover of £175,000, projected turnover for this year is at least £2.4 million.
By the end of 2007, Stepper Technology moved into a large facility at Larkfield Industrial Estate, Greenock. It employs ten people locally, four abroad in Holland, Switzerland and Germany, and has three full time contractors. Behind the venture is Managing Director Tom Smith, who has worked in the electronics and semiconductor industries for more than 20 years.
The company has recently invested £600,000 on a new cleanroom facility and lab demo equipment. It has also rebranded and set up strategic partnerships with representatives in Taiwan, Israel, Japan, China and the US. Now it boasts customers throughout Europe, including some on its own doorstep, and further afield in Israel, South Africa, China and Japan.
Stepper Technology has completed buying shares in an Austrian company that manufactures process equipment, which will further increase revenue in sales and service support for this rapidly developing business.
Previous winners
Bee’s Knees Awards 2007
Best Service to Community – Greenock Arts Guild
Best Developed Business – The Hawthorne Boyle Partnership Ltd
Best Emerging Business – Synergy Civil Engineering Ltd
Bee’s Knees Awards 2006
Best Service to Community - Inverclyde Leisure
Best Developed Business - Blairs of Scotland Ltd
Best Emerging Entrepreneur - Invec Solutions Ltd
Bee’s Knees Awards 2005
Best Service to Community - Greenock Medical Aid Society
Best Developed Business - Royal Bank of Scotland Mortgage Centre
Best Emerging Entrepreneur - Pack-2-Solutions Ltd
Bee’s Knees Awards 2004
Best for Innovation/Growth - Cardwell Garden Nursery Centre
Best for Revival - Greenock Morton FC
Best for Service - White Bell Group |
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