PICTURE : TOM BANKS
BTS Facades and Fabrications directors
Philip and Marcia Atkinson outside the firm ’ s premises on Aycliffe Business Park .
AWARD WINNERS
BTS Fabrications making national waves
Aycliffe-based BTS Facades and Fabrications , a manufacturing firm which produces rainscreen cladding for clients across the country , was recently awarded two prestigious accolades .
In March , the team received The Federation of Small Business ’ Family Business of the Year trophy for the second year running , and shortly after , BTS was recognised for its sustainability efforts at the prestigious Business Champion Awards in London .
In the past year , the firm has been working towards gaining B-Corp certification . As a result , BTS staff now have the opportunity to participate in a four-day working week to enhance their work-life balance , as well as the team making progress towards reducing the company ’ s carbon footprint .
As a result , BTS became carbon neutral in 2022 by offsetting its carbon through a verified scheme , which sparked the decision to explore options to become net zero by 2030 .
Because of the efforts , the team were recognised for leading the way within the manufacturing industry and were awarded with a trophy at The Business Champion Awards , a national awards programme which celebrates the best of British business UK wide .
The ceremony was hosted by BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards in Canary Wharf in London on March 22 , and five of BTS ’ team members were lucky enough to attend and celebrate the win .
BTS managing director Philip Atkinson receives the firm ’ s Business Champion Awards from BBC ’ s Huw Edwards in London .
Managing director , Philip Atkinson , said : “ I was absolutely blown away , it was best feeling in the world .
“ I feel so humbled . We were in a category where we aren ’ t experts in our field , we were just embracing sustainability .
“ We were lone wolves in The Business Champion Awards , so to win is just fantastic .
“ We have worked incredibly hard to become a great place to work , we put our team and their wants and desires before profit – I ’ m immensely proud of everything we have achieved , and to receive recognition for our efforts is fantastic .
“ I am proud to say we ’ re certainly leading the way in the construction and manufacturing industry , and we mean to start as we go on , we have so many exciting plans for the future .”
The team were required to host a fiveminute presentation in February to a panel of judges , and Beccy Dickson , one of the judges , said she could see the passion .
“ There are experts in this field , but we were just blown away by BTS ’ passion .
“ It was a memorable interview , and we were just blown away by the way you embraced it , it came from the heart .
“ You can go to university , you can go to college , you can learn all the acronyms in the world , but it has to come from the heart - and we could see that .”
The firm is continuing with its sustainability journey , as the team at BTS are exploring options for self-sufficiency through wind farms and solar power , and have since appointed David Cristan as specifications and sustainability officer , to oversee BTS ’ developments towards net zero .
His role involves working closely with BTS ’ supply chain to ensure all materials used are sustainably and ethically sourced .
David said : “ Winning the sustainability award has given me an immense boost in the passion and commitment I have towards the subject .
“ I am proud and honoured to be part of the amazing team behind the initiative and to experience these achievements first hand .
“ Seeing how Phil Atkinson ’ s hard work and vision has facilitated the business so much was an inspiring moment for me .
“ There is a saying that goes ‘ the world is our oyster ’ - I strongly believe that this was just the beginning for BTS and that the best is yet to come .”
Find out more about the firm ’ s sustainability journey and award wins at btsfabrications . co . uk / sustainability .