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Final stages in contest for the M.E.N. awards

Ben rooth
2/10/2008

THE race to be crowned Manchester Evening News Business of the Year entered the closing stages today with some of the world's best known brands battling it out with newly formed companies for a place on the podium.

The 19 shortlisted companies now face a panel of judges later this month, when they can state their case for winning a prize in one of six categories.

The winners will be revealed at a gala awards ceremony which will be hosted by political interviewer Andrew Marr on November 6 at the Midland Hotel, Manchester.

Following last year's pattern, we have divided the top category for companies with a turnover in excess of £50m into publicly-listed and privately-owned companies.

In the listed section, tool hire specialist Speedy Hire - a runner-up from 2006 and 2007 - will slug it out with soap and detergent manufacturer PZ Cussons and high street fashion chain J D Sports.

Going for gold in the privately owned section are private health care giant BUPA, Vimto maker Nichols and environmental construction services firm Ascot Environmental.

Competing in the £25m to £50m category are computer security business NCC Group, overseas developer Select Property and CCTV-to-air conditioning group ID Support Services.

In the £10m and £25m category we have shortlisted four businesses. These are medical technology company Advanced Medical Solutions, telecoms firm Chess, duvets to curtains company Character World, and Bents Garden and Home Centre of Glazebury near Warrington.

In the under £10m category, lift installation and maintenance firm Ansa Elevators will be hoping to rise above competition from the north west's fastest growing internet service provider UKFast and IT and communications solutions provider Continum.

Our Young Business of the Year will either be Manchester based training and coaching business Winning Pitch, Salford based production group Just Shoots, or Getting Personal, based in Altrincham, which has become one of the UK's leading internet gift retailers since it was established in November 2005.

This year's judging panel includes Manchester Evening News deputy business editor Kevin Feddy as well as David McKeith, north west senior partner at accountancy giant PriceWaterhouseCoopers, law firm Pinsent Masons' corporate finance partner Helen Ridge, and Malcolm Buchanan, regional director of corporate banking at RBS.

Mr Feddy said: "The calibre of the entrants in this year's award has, once again, been of an immensely high and impressive standard - in fact, it rises every year.

"It's going to prove to be very difficult to find a winner in many of our categories. I'm sure the final judging day will showcase the cream of the region's business talent."