Among the 12 prizes up for grabs in the eighth annual Fenland Business Awards are accolades for Small Business of the Year and Medium Business of the Year.

Cambs Times: A D Sutton Motor Group Engineers Ltd winners of the Small Business Award 2015A D Sutton Motor Group Engineers Ltd winners of the Small Business Award 2015 (Image: Archant)

Last year saw two very worthy winners collect the awards.

A D Sutton Motor Group Engineers Ltd picked up the Small Business of the Year.

Adam and Emma Sutton (husband and wife team) run the business together and whilst there are no other family members working for them, there is a real family feel to the place and between the people who work together at the firm’s premises in Norwood Road, March.

The company impressed the judges in 2015 with the judges commenting: “Founded in the teeth of a depression, A D Sutton Motor Group Engineers started with a firm goal of providing a high and consistent level of customer service and have achieved an impressive retention level of almost 100%. Growing year on year, the business services clients from the local area and also nationwide.

“Proactive in addressing changes and opportunities within their industry and the wider economy, the business has a clear and considered plan for the next 5 years which includes pursuing a niche market opportunity and buying their current business premises. A bright, dynamic business and worthy winner of the small business award 2015, particularly in light of the extremely high level of all the category finalists. Well done!”

Chatteris firm Stainless Metalcraft picked up the Medium Business of the Year prize.

The firm, which has a global reputation for innovation, was proud of its success in last year’s awards as they also picked up Employer of the Year and Business of the Year.

This year they are sponsoring the Apprentice of the Year Award.

On awarding Metalcraft the Medium Business of the Year award last year the judges said: “Metalcraft is an established Chatteris based engineering company that prides itself on a continuous employment programmes and development of staff to the highest level required to sustain the business success. The engineering skills and expertise within Metalcraft are sought after by worldwide conglomerates. This is truly a remarkable local company.”

Small Business of the Year (including self employed) is open to any business operating in Fenland, employing typically 10 people or fewer. Being a very small business is no bar to success in this category. The judges will be looking for performance against business plan and proven success in adapting to market movements.

Please also consider the following criteria when making your entry statement:

Outline of business

Is the business profitable? Account evidence required

How has it successfully adapted to changing markets?

How does it fit into its marketplace?

What are the plans for development?

Medium Business of the Year is open to any business operating within Fenland employing 11 – 250 full time direct employees NOT including casual staff. The judges will be looking for performance against business plan and proven success in adapting to market movements.

Please consider the following criteria when making your entry statement:

Outline of business – How has the business performed against budgets and plans?

Is the business profitable? – Account evidence required

How has it successfully adapted to changing markets?

How does it fit into its marketplace?

What are the plans for development?