A 50-year-old Huddersfield company which makes windows, doors and conservatories has been chosen as Eaton Smith’s Business of the Year 2023.
John Fredericks Plastics, based at Lindley Moor Road, was founded in 1970 and has a strong track record of innovation.
On Friday June 30 more than 150 people gathered at the John Smith’s Stadium for Eaton Smith’s annual Business of the Year Awards with all 12 monthly winners vying for the prestigious prize.
Runners-up were Huddersfield-based robotics firm Olympus Technologies with another Huddersfield company, Thomas Brown Engineering, which specialises in precision-made components, in third.
The long-running awards celebrate the hard work, brilliance and innovation of businesses throughout Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield.
Deborah Melluish, senior partner at Eaton Smith, said: “Our range of monthly winners this year is once again a reflection of the diverse nature of businesses across the region. There is no question that they are all very different. The oldest was formed in 1970 and the newest only in 2021.
“However, innovation, training and development, wellbeing and diversity are common threads across all of our monthly winners this year as well as hard work and determination. Many of them have also become recognised nationally – and some of them internationally – in their fields.
“It was a great pleasure to present John Fredericks Plastics, Olympus Technologies and Thomas Brown Engineering with their awards. These three businesses have shown incredible innovation, business growth and contribution to the region.”
John Fredericks Plastics manufactures windows, doors and conservatories in PVC and aluminium and supply their products to a network of window installation businesses throughout the UK.
Managing director Mark Dicconson and HR manager Phil Farnell said: “We are extremely proud of our business and its 53-year history of manufacturing in Yorkshire.
“As a company we strive to be the best in our industry and provide our customers with industry leading products and first-class customer service.
“This is only possible because of our fantastic and dedicated staff. This accolade is testament to a true team effort and something we shall promote with pride.”
Olympus Technologies Ltd provides high quality bespoke and off-the-shelf robotics and director Adam Swallow said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the runner-up award, especially when we were up against so many worthy monthly winners.
“It is an award for our whole team, not just those of us who were able to attend the awards event, and it is a measure of everything we achieve as a team.
“We would like to thank Eaton Smith for organising and hosting the awards, and all our collaborators and partners in our industry who help us to achieve the innovation and growth that has led us to this award.”
Tom Brown founded Thomas Brown Engineering in 1982 and the company now provides highly-skilled jobs making components for equipment manufacturers who operate in the food and drink, medical, automotive, leisure and aerospace sectors.
Company secretary Deneale Green said: “We have a fabulous team here at Thomas Brown Engineering and it is great that their hard work and commitment to continuous improvement has been recognised by the judges.”
The other nominees for the Business of the Year Awards 2023 included: TH Electrical, First Choice Recruitment, Revival Vintage, Sarah Banks Coaching, Nurtur Student Living, Hollywood Agency, Simul Digital, UPVC Hardware Direct and Bnode.
Established in 1995, the Business of the Month Awards are open to any business in the Kirklees, Calderdale or Wakefield area and the awards are run in conjunction with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UK Trade & Investment.
