NEWS

EDP Business Awards

EDP Business Awards

Once again, Shaping Norfolk's Future is the sponsor of the Best New Business Award at the EDP's Business Awards.

Since the close of entries for this year's competition in May, the judges have been weighing the merits of each candidate in a year of entries of the highest quality.

They have paid site visits, talked to businesses, tried to learn about what makes the entrants stand out - and why they should win one of the EDP's prestigious awards.

The judges have selected three finalists in each of the 10 categories. Some names appear in more than one list of finalists - a tribute to their all-round performance. Some are start-up businesses. Some are the region's best known brands.

The winner in each category will be announced at the EDP Business Awards black tie gala event, held in association with Porsche Centre Norwich, at the Holiday Inn Norwich Airport on October 17.

That night will also see one of the finalists named business of the year - the ultimate award, sponsored by Barclays.

Now in its 19th year, the EDP Business Awards remains the centrepiece of the East Anglian corporate calendar.

With the unveiling of the finalists, the stakes have been raised. The question now is: who will rise to the final challenge and win Shaping Norfolk's Future Best New Business Award?

BEST NEW BUSINESS

Sponsor: Shaping Norfolk's Future

3SUN: Gorleston-based 3Sun may be new kids on the offshore block, but its main players have a lifetime of hands-on experience in the cornerstone Norfolk industry. The firm provides hi-tech control systems that give operators in the oil, gas, petrochemicals and other industries the minute-by-minute data they need to monitor and measure the performance of their multi-million pound gear. Often it is under the sea or at a remote desert location, where wireless technology comes into its own. The company employs six staff with up to 40 contractors on its books and is currently working hard with Lowestoft College to provide courses to fill the skills gap and establish industry-wide qualifications. The hallmark of the firm is supporting local suppliers and collaborating with other local companies whenever possible

Findafashion: Tucked away in rural Blofield, Findafashion has found a niche in the lesiure-wear trade that would be any football fan's dream. While clubs themselves produce often clunky and none-too-flattering replica strips for the fans, Findafashion has capitalised by collaborating with clubs to use their logos and badges to produce quality fashion wear, particularly for the women's and children's market - not just on match days. The firm's first and biggest customer is Manchester United, with merchandise flying off the shelves at both the Red Devils' Old Trafford superstore and its latest global outlet in Macau, and it now does business with every Premiership and most Championship clubs - including the Canaries.

Polar Composites: Mechanical engineer Mike Harris promised himself he would be running his own business by the time he was 30 - and made it by just two days when he set up carbon fibre composites firm Polar Composites at Suton, near Wymondham. Mike remortgaged his home to help finance the business and is now beginning to reap the rewards as his young company moves from strength to strength, offering design, consultancy and production in the fast-growing carbon fibre industry where lightness combined with strength is the watchword. Mike now employs 10 people, manufacturing everything from Formula One components to skateboards to a new design for cricket helmets.

Courtesy of the EDP