News / The York Press Business Awards 2009
The York Press Business Awards 2009
Friday 27th November 2009
The triumphs of The Press Business Awards 2009 were stunning. Just getting to the finals during the worst recession in decades is a breathtaking achievement.
To actually win any one of the 16 categories was gaspworthy.
All the more so because, ironically, there was a record number of entries, and the judges all agreed that the standard was immense.
So to win the overall accolade – to become the winner of winners – seems an impossible dream – but it is one that has been achieved for BSC Filters not just once but twice over.
Champagne corks were still a-poppin’ into the following day as every one of the 50 workforce of BSC Filters, in Osbaldwick, was rewarded with a bottle of bubbly – and no wonder they were happy.
Those high-tech designers and makers of revolutionary microwave and radio frequency filters scooped The John Guy Memorial Award, the top trophy at The Press Business Awards at York Racecourse.
And in doing so BSC Filters became the first firm in the 19-year history of the awards to win the top accolade twice. Back in 1998 it also clinched the Business Of The Year award – and the man who led the firm then and is still the majority shareholder. Alan Corlett, was in the Voltigeur Suite to share the glory with present managing director Martyn Lee and ten staff.
On display at the factory are now three 2009 trophies – for Growth Business Of The Year, the Large Business Of The Year and that top-of-the-tree accolade. Martyn told the awards night gathering: “In a world market, being moderate or average is not good enough. To succeed you have to excel.”
Afterwards, he said: “We have spent a lot of time over the past few years working on the quality of our brand. To be recognised by our peers as an outstanding business and a world leader is a huge boost to that brand.
“It speaks volumes to our clients. It tells them that while the collapse of the telecom market in 2001 meant that we had to restructure and completely refocus on areas like defence and aerospace, our ethos of product excellence remains forever rock solid.”
Judges were impressed that In the process of designing and making complex microwave filters, diplexers and waveguide coaxial passive components, BSC had adopted “lean” techniques to increase output and margins with minimal increase in staff numbers.
Many of these improvements came about because of the direct involvement of the workforce and a culture of sharing success, and investment in people. The result: It was a world leader in its field, much of it in the defence and aerospace industries.
Turnover this year is projected to grow from £2.92 million to £5.1 million, while net profits are expected to have nearly doubled.
This reflects the fact that the company has captured 80 per cent of the UK market for its products, while rapidly expanding into Europe. This year 40, per cent of total sales were exports.
Another major triumph last night was earned by Janice Dunphy, who held on to last year’s Women In Enterprise Award with her Creepy Crawlies Adventure Park in Clifton Moor.
Ex-teacher Janice started her acre of fun at Cliftongate Business Park in Wigginton Road in 2004 by researching the best that UK play facilities had to offer. It now employs 41 people, and has seen a growth in turnover, a surge in profit and an increase in footfall.
york-england.com sponsored the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award which was won by Ruth Snowden of Easingwold Bathrooms and Interiors. york-england.com chief executive Denise Stuart presented Ruth with the award who was described by the judges as one who combines "entrenpreneurial flair with and extremely level head" and "a driven individual with an eye for a good product and a good market opportunity".
(picture courtesy of the York Press)
