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Soaraway success for Zoeftig

Airport seating firm triumphs at Cornwall Business Awards

An airport seating manufacturer from Bude is Cornwall’s new “Business of the Year”, after winning big at last night’s Cornwall Business Awards.

In a glittering ceremony, dubbed Cornwall’s “Business Oscars”, Zoeftig, a company that makes innovative public furniture, beat twelve other contenders for the coveted Winner of Winners mantle.

Earlier, Zoeftig had won the Most Creative Use of Design and Best International Business categories, at the Awards organised by Cornwall Development Company to highlight the achievements of the county’s business community.

The win rounded off a good evening for Cornwall’s northernmost town, with Bude neighbours Continental Underfloor Heating having already received the Best Use of Superfast Broadband award from guest presenter Roger Black MBE.

The athletics great said: “This is an exciting time to be a business in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The county is in the process of rolling out a superfast broadband programme which will make it one of the best connected places in the world. In the same way that London 2012 is providing a world stage for athletes, Cornwall now has a world stage for its own business talent and expertise.”

Issued on behalf of Cornwall Development Company by The John Knowles Company Mariners, Penwerris Lane, Falmouth, Cornwall - 01326 312451 - [email protected] – www.jkc.co.uk This year’s presentation, at St Mellion International Resort, was notable for the number of first-time victories, with half of winners making their Awards debut.

Wadebridge had two brand new Award winners; renewable energy collective WREN (Best Third Sector Business) and fresh produce retailer The Vine (Best New Business in Cornwall).

It was also another highly successful night for businesses from Helston and the Lizard. Manaccan-based Clayworks’ natural clay plaster was declared the year’s best Business Innovation, while Matthew Lugg of groundwork contractor MJL Group received the Business Leader of the Year award in recognition of growing his business, to £8 million turnover and 93 staff, by the age of 42.

The debutants joined Helston’s Frugi (Most Dynamic Growth Business) on the winners’ roster, along with Dan Parker of Firetext, who became the first person to retain the Young Business Person of the Year crown.

Other first-time winners included Penzance business Mounts Bay Veterinary Centre (Customer Focus), and Bugle-based Gripsure, which won Best Diversification for its promising new non-slip decking.

Pharmaceutical consultancy TRAC Services, of Pool, was a double winner, claiming the Excellence in Marketing award, while managing director Sarah Trethowan was victorious in the Awards’ first all-female Entrepreneur of the Year shortlist.

Earlier in the evening, Pall (Newquay) was named Cornwall’s Employer of the Year, and the Divided team from Richard Lander School, Truro received the Young Enterprise Award for their innovative, divided popcorn box.

Cornwall Development Company chief executive Suzanne Bond said: “It has been another spectacular evening, drawing attention to some really great business achievements – often under difficult trading conditions. In particular, it bodes well for Cornwall’s future to see so many first-timers joining the familiar faces among tonight’s winners and nominees.”

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Issued on behalf of Cornwall Development Company by The John Knowles Company Mariners, Penwerris Lane, Falmouth, Cornwall - 01326 312451 - [email protected] – www.jkc.co.uk Cornwall Business Awards 2012: The Winners in Full…

Most Creative Use of Design, sponsored by University College Falmouth, Best International Business, sponsored by Export Cornwall, and Winner of Winners, sponsored by St Austell Brewery Zoeftig, mass public seating manufacturer, Bude Suzanne Bond says: “At a time when people are nervous about exports to Europe, Zoeftig’s bold approach and world-beating product design have enabled them to establish a new, multi-million pound customer base in China. They are a fantastic example of what can be achieved by Cornish business.”

Young Enterprise, sponsored by Unlocking Cornish Potential: Divided, Richard Lander School, Truro Suzanne Bond says: “The divided popcorn box shows a lot of creativity. Who knows – perhaps one day we’ll see these young people at the Cornwall Business Awards in their own right?”

Young Business Person of the Year, sponsored by First Great Western: Dan Parker, Firetext, Helston Suzanne Bond says: “Retaining the Young Business Person title for a second year is a unique achievement, and Dan has shown great leadership to keep Firetext moving forward at such a rate.”

Best New Business in Cornwall, sponsored by Worldwide Financial Planning: The Vine, fresh produce, Wadebridge Suzanne Bond says: “This was a particularly strong category, which is excellent news for Cornwall, of course. The Vine have brought a fresh approach to a traditional kind of business, and it has really paid off.”

Best Third Sector Business, sponsored by The Eden Project: WREN, renewable energy collective, Wadebridge Suzanne Bond says: “Cornwall can lead the way in renewable energy for years to come, so WREN’s approach, involving the local community, is very exciting.” Customer Focus, sponsored by Coodes: Issued on behalf of Cornwall Development Company by The John Knowles Company Mariners, Penwerris Lane, Falmouth, Cornwall - 01326 312451 - [email protected] – www.jkc.co.uk Mounts Bay Veterinary Centre, Long Rock, Penzance Suzanne Bond says: “Mounts Bay customers are made to feel like part of the family – and that goes for their owners, too!”

Employer of the Year, sponsored by Cornwall College Business: Pall (Newquay), filtration systems, St Columb Suzanne Bond says: “Pall are a world leader in filtration technology, and keep that position by investing in the skills and expertise of local staff. They’re a great example to employers throughout Cornwall.”

Best use of Superfast Broadband, sponsored by BT: Continental Underfloor Heating, Bude Suzanne Bond says: “Continental show how superfast broadband can make Cornwall a leading business hub – not only keeping their business in the county, but enabling them to co-ordinate multiple offices, sites and staff from their base in Bude.”

Business Leader of the Year, sponsored by Ginsters: Mathew Lugg, MJL Group, Helson Suzanne Bond says: “Since founding his company at the age of just 32, Matthew has gone from strength to strength, making MJL one of the county’s fastest growing businesses, and an important local employer. Long may his success continue.”

Excellence in Marketing, sponsored by Francis Clark with Winter Rule, and Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Unlocking Potential: TRAC Services / Sarah Trethowan, pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, Pool Suzanne Bond says: “TRAC show that being in Cornwall can be a positive asset when you’re dealing with a multinational customer base. They are our knowledge economy in action, and Sarah’s entrepreneurial flair is an important factor in their success.”

Most Dynamic Growth Business, sponsored by Plymouth University:

Issued on behalf of Cornwall Development Company by The John Knowles Company Mariners, Penwerris Lane, Falmouth, Cornwall - 01326 312451 - [email protected] – www.jkc.co.uk Frugi, organic children’s clothing, Helston

Suzanne Bond says: “With so many awards now under their belt, it’s worth reminding ourselves that Frugi are still a young, growing company – and each title is entirely on merit. In this case, they’ve achieved 40% growth, on top of already impressive performance. In the current climate, that’s impressive.”

Best Diversification, sponsored by Niddocks:

Gripsure, non-slip decking, Bugle

Suzanne Bond says: “Through boldness, hard work and the ability to spot a great business opportunity, Gripsure has turned a local resin sub-contractor into a national manufacturer with customers from Scotland to Jersey. As a result, the company is growing fast, and continues to innovate.”

Best Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Combined Universities in Cornwall:

Clayworks, clay-based plaster, Manaccan

Suzanne Bond says: “Clayworks show the benefit of research and development, even within a traditional business. Their innovative plaster products are not only technically excellent, but also have excellent environmental credentials. The potential is enormous.”

Notes for editors:

Cornwall Development Company is the economic development service for Cornwall Council and its mission is to achieve sustainable prosperity with opportunity for all in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The Cornwall Business Awards are presented by the Cornwall Development Company to showcase, reward and encourage the best of the county’s commercial practice, promoting Cornwall worldwide as a great place to do business. For more information, please contact:

David McGuire Lynn File 01326 312451 01208 821787 [email protected] [email protected]

Issued on behalf of Cornwall Development Company by The John Knowles Company Mariners, Penwerris Lane, Falmouth, Cornwall - 01326 312451 - [email protected] – www.jkc.co.uk