The winners of the Basingstoke and North Hampshire INSPIRE Business Awards were announced at a gala dinner at the Anvil on Tuesday 17 November at the gala dinner. The 2009 winners are:
Micro Business of the Year
Zapkut
Traditional large sheet cutting methods are slow, difficult, inaccurate and unsafe. After 12 years' development, the British-made Zapkut, the world's only folding portable vertical panel saw, is providing small businesses worldwide with a lightweight, robust, low cost accurate and safe solution.
Business of the Year
Southern Communications
This company provides all aspects of telephony to its businesses customers, including telephone systems, calls and lines, broadband and mobiles. Based in Dummer, the company employees 80+ staff and is one of the 50 top independent resellers in the UK.
E-Business of the Year
Mobile IQ
Hampshire based for four years, Mobile IQ helps publishers and content brands seize the many opportunities presented by the mobile internet channel. They recommend the right mobile activities, create great mobile experiences - websites, apps and campaigns- and optimise mobile revenues.
Business Personality of the Year
Barbara Payne (DDA Webdesign and Basingstoke Networking)
Barbara has a highly competent, skilled team who deliver professional and sophisticated web solutions. She provides a very high standard of commitment to her customers ensuring they receive complete satisfaction.
Employer of the Year
Sainsbury's Depot
Sainsbury's take the development, training, engagement and welfare of our colleagues very seriously. The site 'Great Place to Work' lead focuses on colleague engagement and pursuing the goal of creating a great place to work for all our colleagues.
Entrepreneur of the Year
Yogendra Bahadur Chhetri - YBC Cleaning
YBC was established in 1996, offering commercial cleaning services. Over 85% of their clients are through recommendation and 95% of clients re-award their cleaning contracts with YBC. YBC deliver high quality cleaning at a good competitive rate.
Exporter of the Year
United Shield International Limited
United Shield International is one of the leading manufacturers of personal ballistic protection equipment. They make ballistic helmets, body armour plates, which are supplied to police and defence forces in more than 80 countries worldwide.
New Business of the Year
Glazing Protection Systems Limited
An ambitious young company winning significant energy reduction and security contracts with councils, universities and blue chip companies. the company leverages advanced glass coatings to reduce air conditioning loads and make glass safe from breakage.
Rural of the Year
Dignity Pet Crematorium
This rural business established in 1992, is run by 3 generations of the Spurgeon family. The site was formerly both a brickyard and a prisoner of war camp and utilised a derelict grade 2 Victorian Brick Kiln as a crematorium. This small business has found an unusual niche market and has demonstrated how customer satisfaction can help business growth.
Sustainable of the Year
MEPC
Sustainability lies at the heart of everything MEPC do. Their approach is built around strong economic, environmental and social values to make constructive, long-term decisions. This enables their customers and stakeholders to sustain activities now and in the future. This is the second year running that MEPC have won this award.
