Companies from across the region were honoured in style last night at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2024.
Civil and ground engineering contractor Forkers, based in West Bromwich, was crowned business of the year at a glittering black-tie dinner at the University of Wolverhampton at The Halls, attended by 420 guests. The judges cited Forkers’ exceptional revenue growth and profitability, commitment to continuous improvement, high rates of staff retention and forward-looking sustainability strategies.
With 14 trophies presented in total, other winners included Wombourne-based creative marketing agency TP Squared, who won the consultancy and professional services award along with small business of the year.
Wolves Foundation won business in the community for the second year running, EXOL Lubricants from Wednesbury won the international trade award, fastener supplier Fabory took home the science, tech, and innovation trophy and Bilston-based manufacturer of equipment for the metal forming and tubes industry Bowers & Jones landed the manufacturing and engineering award.
The awards, the biggest and best celebration in the region’s business calendar, have been staged by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce since 2001 to celebrate the accomplishments of regional firms and business stars.
The 2024 winners were:
Business in the community, in partnership with Halesowen College
Winner: Wolves Foundation
Finalists: Arrive Alive and Cadent Gas
Employer of the year, in partnership with Wolves Foundation
Winner: Maped Helix
Highly commended: Jerroms
Finalist: Black Country Living Museum
International trade, in partnership with KMB Shipping Group
Winner: EXOL Lubricants
Highly commended: Bowers & Jones
Finalist: Fortress
Manufacturing and engineering, in partnership with CK
Winner: Bowers & Jones
Finalist: Jordhan Industries
Consultancy and professional services, in partnership with GTG Group
Winner: TP Squared
Highly commended: VOiD Applications
Finalist: Jerroms
Science, technology and innovation, in partnership with Forresters
Winner: Fabory
Highly commended: Cadent Gas
Finalist: Tomato Energy
Young employee or apprentice of the year, in partnership with Sandwell College
Winner: Haris Hussain, Weatherite
Finalists: Matthew Randle, Dreamland, and Georgia Hill, Early Years Company.
Small business of the year, in partnership with 6 Wands
Winner: TP Squared
Highly commended: VOID Applications
Finalist: MoRServ
Start up of the year, in partnership with Daniel Scott Recruitment
Winner: Maverick Mutts
Highly commended: iBiotech
Finalist: Virtus
Family business of the year, in partnership with Azets
Winner: Maverick Sports
Highly commended: Walsh Funerals & Memorials
Finalist: Nickolls & Perks
Business in schools award, in partnership with University of Wolverhampton
Winner: Tecman
Highly commended: HMB Training Services
Finalist: BlackRook Academy
Not for profit organisation
Winner: Black Country Women’s Aid
Highly commended: The Way Youth Zone
Finalist: The Penny Post Group
Apprentice employer of the year in partnership with Lloyds Bank
Winner: Interclass
Finalist: The Penny Post Group
Business of the year
Winner: Forkers
Highly commended: Bowers & Jones
Finalist: Azets
Sandwell Council and Walsall Council were this year’s overall award partners. TV and radio sports broadcaster Amber Sandhu from Wolverhampton hosted the event and a raffle was held to raise funds for the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s charity of the year, YMCA Black Country.
Chamber CEO Sarah Moorhouse said:
“A huge congratulations to all of our winners following a fantastic evening celebrating the incredible, groundbreaking businesses of our region. The awards were a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the region as a great place to do business. Thank you to our partners and the Chamber team for making this year’s awards a resounding success.”
Events & projects officer Marie Shuker added:
“We received a huge number of entries from across a wide range of sectors. Our category partners had a tough job selecting the winners which demonstrates the level of business excellence across the Black Country.”
For full details visit: blackcountrychamber.co.uk/business-awards/