Caring manufacturer wins Chamber 's top award
Historic manufacturers and diversity champions, Shelforce, have been crowned the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) Business of the Year.
Shelforce were presented the award, sponsored by SCC, during the Chamber 's second online awards ceremony on Tuesday evening.
PVCu window and door manufacturers, Shelforce, claimed two awards on the night, taking home the Excellence for People Development award and also being crowned as the overall Business of the Year.
Shelforce was founded in 1839 and has spent 150 years establishing a reputation for providing high quality PVCu and aluminium products to local authority and building projects, such as those for Birmingham City Council.
At the heart of their manufacturing services is a genuine commitment to inclusivity and supporting disabled people in their entry to employment- a commitment entrenched in the company 's history.
Originally set up as a workplace for the visually impaired as part of the Royal School for the Blind, Shelforce have carried forward their mission to change the perception of disability within the workplace.
The company currently employ 75 per cent of their workforce with a disability and intend to build on partnerships with educational institutions such as Oscott Manor School, a community school catering to children with autism, in order to educate the city 's youth into becoming valued employees.
Steve Allen, president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: “I am delighted to announce Shelforce as this year 's Business of the Year and the overall winner of the GBCC awards. Shelforce have shown excellence in many of this year 's categories, not only in their service to manufacturing and sustainability but also through their investment in staff development and the wider issue of diversity and inclusion.
“Shelforce are an outstanding example of what it means to do good business and we are glad to recognise them as such after a year of such adversity. ”
The event was sponsored by Birmingham City University and Inspired Energy, with Birmingham City Council also providing support as a headline partner.
The awards were live-streamed from Chamber House in Edgbaston and hosted by BBC News presenter and reporter, Amy Cole. The event also saw entertainment from international recording artist and song writer, Namywa.
OTHER AWARDS:
Excellence in Contribution to the Community
(Sponsors: South & City College Birmingham)
Gro-Organic
The not-for-profit social enterprise, Gro-Organic, works with socially and economically disadvantaged communities across the Midlands. Gro- Organic have worked diligently to provide safe, practical support to more than 3,000 young people and vulnerable adults in the last three years, as well as catering to a surge in demand for their services during the pandemic.
Excellence in Customer Service
(Sponsors: runyourfleet.com)
Unique Venues Birmingham
Since launching in 2017, Unique Venues Birmingham (UVB) has prided itself on defying the expectations of customers seeking conferencing and hospitality services. Having evolved their offering from within the Library of Birmingham and Birmingham Repertory Theatre to meet post-pandemic demands, UVB has developed hybrid packages that have allowed for large-scale, livestreamed events and 360-degree tours of their facilities.
Excellence in Hospitality & Retail
(Sponsors: Mahirs Experience)
Millennium Point
Millennium Point has been at the forefront of the Covid-19 vaccine effort this year and was one of the first venues to open as a mass vaccination centre in the UK. Investing £350,000 in upgrading their services for the easing of lockdown restrictions, the venue now boasts of a grand auditorium with sophisticated AV equipment and lighting.
Excellence in International Business
(Sponsors: Burton and South Derbyshire College)
Y International
Exporter Y International has expanded at a fast pace, growth that has attributed to the export of fresh and frozen produce across the Middle East and Asia, as well as the introduction of new British brands in the health and beauty sector. Despite their international success, Y International is also committed to supporting local communities through regular donations to local charities and has also forged recruitment partnerships with local organisations.
Excellence in Manufacturing
(Sponsors: Squire Patton Boggs)
Deakin & Francis
Deakin & Francis, based in the heart of Birmingham 's Jewellery Quarter, are the UK 's oldest family jewellers, with a history spanning 230 years. Having perfected the process of making luxury, bespoke jewellery and accessories over seven generations, Deakin & Francis are focused on keeping their manufacturing traditions alive, steering clear of mass-produced methods and appealing to the ethically and sustainably conscious-customer.
Excellence in People Development
(Sponsors: Aston University)
Shelforce
Shelforce 's inclusive employment model has created an environment where all employees, including those individuals with a diverse range of disabilities, feel that they are a valued part of the company 's social vision. Tailoring their approach to training and development, Shelforce has committed to enabling staff with a variety of skills to succeed and grow within their roles, proof of which can be seen in the 30 per cent of staff moving on to senior positions and the 85 per cent who have progressed in diversifying their roles.
Excellence in Responsible Business
(Sponsors: Finpoint)
Wesleyan
Proactively adapting to the Covid-19 pandemic, financial service mutual Wesleyan launched their Here for You campaign as a way of providing practical support to their customers. This included the provision of a 24/7 service for health and wellbeing advice, guidance via their Covid-19 Hub and increasing flexibility regarding payments and administration fees for their members. The Wesleyan Foundation also saw the donation of £1 to charities and organisations supporting mental health services for key workers.
Excellence in Sales & Marketing
(Sponsors: Air IT)
HDY Agency
HDY Agency was launched three years ago by co-founders Ed James, the Heart fm presenter, and marketing expert Angela Gaskell. Since 2018 the business has grown and impressively increased their turnover, all despite the coronavirus crisis and the loss of key clients. HDY plans to establish offices overseas and new offices in Birmingham as they project another leap in turnover in the coming year.
Excellence in Sustainability
(Sponsors: SF Recruitment)
Enzen
As experts in delivering lasting, sustainable energy and water improvements to businesses, Enzen have been innovators in sustainable development since their beginnings in 2006. Since then, the company estimates that they have mitigated over 58 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK through decarbonisation and made 1,529 Gwh of clean energy available across the globe.
Excellence in Technology & Innovation
(Sponsors:RSM)
Innovating Minds
The Kings Norton-based business provides specialist psychological support for children and young people. With a demand for their services, Innovating Minds launched its online EduPod mental health support service for schools in February 2020. Adapting to school closures during the pandemic, the company offered free webinars as a way of demonstrating EduPod - and in just four months demonstrated the product to some 2,000 schools.
Excellence in Third Sector
(In partnership with Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital Charity)
The Haven Wolverhampton
As a refuge for vulnerable women and children at risk from domestic abuse and homelessness, The Haven supported more than 700 people fleeing domestic violence during 2019/20 and the charity 's various refuges had an occupation rate of 93 per cent during the pandemic. Despite these numbers, the charity 's work in tackling domestic abuse has proved successful, with 72 per cent of women they have helped saying that they felt safer in their homes because of the support they were receiving from The Haven.
Excellence in Training & Education
(Sponsors: V2M Pharma)
Services for Education
Services for Education was founded over a decade ago and teaches music to more than 38,000 local school children across 570 schools. The company currently loan 28,000 musical instruments in order to help young people find their musical voice and also stage concerts to allow young performers to showcase their new skills to a wider audience.
Pictured: Howard Trotter, Business Manager at Shelforce and some of his employees.
Check out our image gallery from awards night here.
Watch the event again here.