Winners celebrate awards excellence

Mechline Developments Ltd, on Carters Lane, Kiln Farm, was praised by Business Excellence Awards judges for producing a system that produces a high-speed, high-volume decomposition system which digests food waste and turns it into grey water in 24 hours.

The overall Business Excellence Award is sponsored by DHL and the judges said Mechline has dealt with “an excellent example of a modern day problem, that of safely and securely disposing of food waste with its potential impact on issues as diverse as public health and landfill, being answered in a combination of bio technology and engineering skills which has produced a high-speed, high-volume food waste decomposition system which digests food waste and turning it into grey water in 24 hours with no food waste to manage and no composting requirements. 

“A solution to a growing problem and the prospect of excellent future business for the company and through this award, a real marketing boost for the company.”

Rita Spada, the CEO of Milton Keynes and North Bucks Chamber of Commerce, said: “Ultimately there can only be one winner, congratulations to Mechline Developments.

“You epitomised all that is understood to be excellence in business.

“Your company and team deserved being crowned with the accolade ‘winner of winners’ on this night.”

Mechline Developments Limited specialises in commercial kitchen installation components that add environmental value, practicality and function while also promoting ‘best practice’ on site.

Well-known brands from Mechline include: AquaJet, BaSiX, GastroTechniX and GreasePaK, to name a few. More recently, Mechline has engineered its own food waste rapid digestion system (Waste20), designed to eliminate food waste going to landfill.

Operators can manage their food waste on site without composting or arranging dedicated waste collections to have a “zero-to-landfill” food waste solution. This saves on costs for commercial waste collections and saves precious resources, too―an environmentally responsible and sustainable alternative.

Entrepreneur of the year (sponsored by Smart Moves Recruitment): Dynamic business founder Jan Spaticcia has taken the énergie Group from nowhere to being the fastest growing fitness franchise operation in less than seven years.

Jan is the CEO and founder of the énergie, which has its HQ on Tongwell Street, Fox Milne, in MK, is also the undisputed market worldwide leader in the area of fitness and wellness franchising.

With more than 90 clubs operating across the UK, Ireland, Latvia and the Middle East, the team has received wide acclaim for its achievements from a standing start in only six years.

énergie is regarded by many industry commentators as “the one to watch” through its innovative approach to targeted niche branding and rapid rollout through franchising.

The judges commented that Jan is: “A dynamic individual, committed to Milton Keynes, with a wealth of experience who has demonstrated how an Milton Keynes company can go national and global in less than seven years.”

The other Entrepreneur award finalists were Toni Moore, of Adams Moore Solicitors Ltd and PY Gerbeau, of Xscape Milton Keynes
Commitment to Social Responsibility (sponsored by Cerebral Palsy Sport): Passionate community project The Reuse Centre has the greatest commitment to social responsibility.

The Reuse Centre community project on Burners Lane, Kiln Farm, is a non-profit making charitable organisation that collects free of charge, items no longer required by the public, but which are still of use and would otherwise end up in landfills.

For example, metal, furniture, and household items: washing machine, televisions, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, three piece suites, bric-a-brac etc. all of which can be reused by the local community, people on low incomes in need of assistance and disadvantaged groups throughout the county of Buckinghamshire.

Items are displayed in the Reuse centre and then sold on a low charge cost-plus basis.
The judges said The Reuse Centre has very clear aims. “The Re-Use Centre has demonstrated how well their passion, purpose and strategy continues to evolve and benefit the impact on the overall community.”

The other finalist in the commitment to social responsibilty award was Pervasive Technology Lab. The company is not for profit, looking into the use of new technology to help people with mental health problems.
Business of the Year (sponsored by NHBC): Being excellent in giving customers a great experience helped a premier Milton Keynes entertainment venue win the Business of the Year category.

Xscape, Milton Keynes, is the ultimate entertainment destination offering a unique combination of extreme sports and leisure activities for all ages, where you can play, eat and shop all day and all night.

The judges commented: “A demonstration of how the company has developed excellence in customer experience, being recognised in their field, including being crowned most visited attraction in England. Their core aim is to ensure that their centre is accessible for everyone to enjoy.”

The other finalists were acs Office Solutions and the énergie Group.

Most Promising New Business (sponsored by Beardow Adams): World leading website business Dunsar Media Company Limited has scooped the award for most promising new business.

Dunsar owns insidethegames.biz which has become the number one website of its type in the world.

insidethegames.biz is the website the International Olympic Committee read. It is recognised as the leading authoritative independent guide in the world to the Olympic and paralympic movement, the Commonwealth Games and their relevant bid processes..

Alongside sister websites insideworldfootball.biz and insideworldparasport.biz, Dunsar is read daily by leading decision-makers and influential opinion formers from around the world, including the top movers and shakers in sport, MDs, CEOs, directors, major event sponsors, organisers, leading politicians, the world’s press, royalty from around the world, heads of state, plus sport and event marketing companies.

The judges said: “Dunsar is a Milton Keynes-based business with international reach, that has shown rapid and sustainable growth; that has developed and harnessed recognised talent within its field and in so doing has provided a service that informs leading decision makers and opinion formers and delivers a quality audience to its advertisers.”

The other finalists were Blue Cube Creative and Smile Lounge Ltd.

Achievement in International Trade (sponsored by World Trade Center Holdings): Judges said the manufacturing company that has won the achievement in international trade award deserved its marks on excellence.

Beardow Adams, on Blundells Road, Bradville, was established in Milton Keynes in 1977.

It is the only United Kingdom company specialising in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of industrial hot melt adhesives.

Sold worldwide, its award winning hot melts are an important part of thousands of everyday products.

They are used in the packaging and labelling of food, pharmaceutical and health care products – as well as in the automotive, print finishing, electronic, white goods, filter, converting and construction industries.

The company itself said success is due to service and its focus. A specialist in its field, it offers an unrivalled range of innovative adhesives.

The judges said Beardow Adams’s comprehensive international strategy is delivered through a focus on consistent research, development and people to continuously seek new markets and opportunities to expand their business. They added Beardow Adams is “a manufacturing company that deserves its marks on excellence.”
The award category’s three other finalists were CN Group, International Dancing Shoes Ltd and the energie Group.
Innovation Through Technology Award (Sponsored by The Open University): Mechline Developments Ltd, on Carters Lane, Kiln Farm, was praised by Business Excellence Awards judges for producing a system that produces a high-speed, high-volume decomposition system which digests food waste and turns it into grey water in 24 hours. The system won them the overall Business Excellence Award.
The innovation through technology award’s other finalists were Bluecube Technology Solutions and Melon Design & Marketing.

Excellence in People Development (sponsored by Mirus IT Solutions): Railcare Ltd won the excellence in people development award after judges found it to be a local company striving to be the best.

Railcare was formed in February 2007 and operates sites in both Springburn and Wolverton with considerable expertise in vehicle and component overhaul, incident repair and spares and logistics. Railcare offers customers a total rolling stock solution
The judges said: “Railcare demonstrate a real commitment to the training and development of their people operating in a safety critical environment they have clearly displayed how they have used training and development to make a real difference in their business. A local company striving to be the best of what they do.”

The other finalists for the people development award were Coca-Cola Enterprises and Marcus Young Landscapes Ltd.
Business Supporting Local Community (sponsored by Milton Keynes Shopping Centre Association): A charity that teaches disadvantaged children to ride and care for horses has ridden off with the award for supporting local local community.

Ride High is based at Loughton Manor Equestrian Centre, Loughton, Central Milton Keynes and, addition, through a range of horse related clubroom activities and projects aims to build their confidence and self esteem and, over time, improve their prospects in life.
The judges said: “Their willingness to recognise contributions in kind as well as cash in order to manage their operations in the least expensive way is welcomed.

“There is real engagement with business and the community. They make a real difference in the area they are working in”

The other finalists in the supporting local community award were Maybe Magazine Ltd and The Reuse Centre.

Excellence in Customer Care (sponsored by Abbot Fire Group): Constant monitoring of customer feedback has helped Mirus IT Solutions claim the award for excellence in customer care.

Mirus IT Solution, based on Drakes Mews, Crownhill, Milton Keynes, proudly claim to be the region’s leading provider of managed IT services.

The company says: “By offering truly fixed cost all inclusive agreements to our clients we have continued to grow throughout 2009 and 2010. This increased growth has been hand in hand with our continual focus on the service levels we provide to our clients.”
The judges said: “The company has shown consistent progress clearly demonstrated in their excellent response times to critical issues. Constant monitoring of customer feedback ensures the business focus remains on the customer, with the introduction of specific services as a direct result”

The other finalists in the customer care award were Arcana Group of Salons and the John Lewis Partnership.

Energy and Environmental Award (sponsored by Coca-Cola Enterprises): This year’s energy and environmental excellence award has gone to Midsummer Place Shopping Centre.

The award judges were deeply impressed at the way the centre turned a project into an established and embedded way of working.

A spokesman for the centre said: “Midsummer Place Shopping Centre is Milton Keynes’ fashionable quarter, where the very best in ladies’ and men’s designer fashions, accessories and a wealth of other exciting retail outlets is at your fingertips. 

“At Midsummer Place, we have more than 50 stores along stunning malls with massive names in clothing including Topshop, Zara, Gap, H&M, Jane Norman, Bank, Karen Millen and Hugo Boss to name a few. Midsummer Place is also home to a fantastic Debenhams department store and exclusive outlets such as Apple and Lego and boasts several great places to eat and relax.”

The judges said: “A well executed initiative that started life as a project and has developed to become an established and embedded way of working, the first real proof point on a journey to becoming a recognised leader within the field of corporate responsibility and sustainability.

“Recognition also for not only the delivery of real bottom line business levels, but in addition, overcoming the challenge of influencing such a broad scope of stakeholders.Well done to all the team.”

The other finalists were Cawleys and The Reuse Centre.
Operational Excellence/Industry (sponsored by Ramada Encore): A company that used innovation and creativity to transform a deprived area has won the award for operational excellence/industry.

Places for People is one of the UK’s largest property management and development groups, responsible for more than 60,000 homes.

It is a major developer and provides a range of social support services including affordable childcare nurseries, elderly care support and financial services such as mortgages and low-cost loans.

Places for People has 130,000 customers, with hundreds from the Milton Keynes area, and provide solutions that focus on making neighbourhoods prosperous and sustainable.

Places for People is a significant investor in Milton Keynes with its award winning ￡50m Wolverton Park and the ￡350m Brooklands scheme that will transform the eastern side of Milton Keynes with 2,500 homes in a mixed-use development.
The judges said: “A company that truly has customer service excellence at the heart of its business, demonstrating that even in the worst market for property development the Wolverton Park development epitomises how innovation and creativity can overcome and transform a deprived area creating an award winning design and a real community hub.”

The other finalists in the operational excellence/industry award were Abbot Fire Group and De Vere Venues Harben.

Logistics (D&P Recruitment Specialists): An established transport company has delivered a massive win in the logistics excellence award.

WH Barley (Transport & Storage) Ltd, based on Old Wolverton Road, Old Wolverton, is a traditional family business, that for 40 years has focused in the distribution, storage, and freight logistics sector.

WH Barley specialises in palletised distribution, from a single pallet through to full load movements, on a nationwide basis.

The company said: “Primarily, we like to utilise and “ sweat the assets” of our own fleet of vehicles, but being part of the Palletline PLC organisation, gives us the added flexibility to offer a broad range of services to our customers.”

The judges said: “W H Barley’s impressive track record demonstrates their agility and ability to innovate in a turbulent marketplace through their integral understanding of customer needs and building working partnerships along with their success in engineering their supply chain systems to fulfil the reliability and provisioning end to end.”
Also in the final was Worldwide Logistics, based on Fairbourne Drive, Atterbury, Milton Keynes.

Video by Natalee Hazelwood