Senstronics managing director Andy Reed kicked off proceedings with an opening speech at the Make Your Mark Awards.
“ We’ re absolutely thrilled and very proud to win this award,” said Husqvarna’ s manufacturing director Caraline Robinson.
“ Husqvarna is a brilliant place to work, whatever the challenges we face, and the challenges are many.”
Husqvarna’ s Aycliffe site previously produced Flymo Hover mowers for the UK market, but recent years have seen the firm reinvented in terms of product, process and people development.
Husqvarna UK is now the main manufacturing facility for producing more complex robotic lawnmowers, along with associated batteries, spares and accessories, sold worldwide to residential and professional customers.
Several hundred thousand products are manufactured annually at Husqvarna’ s
Ebac founding chairman John Elliott OBE delivered an entertaining keynote speech just before the awards ceremony.
“ I’ D LIKE TO THANK THE AWARD ORGANISERS FOR GIVING ALL THE COMPANIES HERE A NIGHT TO CELEBRATE WHAT WE’ VE ACHIEVED. WE’ RE ALL WINNERS IN OUR OWN WAY, JUST FOR BEING HERE.”
Aycliffe site.
Caraline added:“ I’ d like to thank the team for their great work, their dedication to the business, for being bold in their actions and for caring for one another.
“ I believe this is the supportive culture we have at Husqvarna that has resulted in us receiving this award.
“ I’ d also like to thank the award organisers for giving all the companies here a night to celebrate what we’ ve achieved. We’ re all winners in our own way, just for being here.” Carol Gaskarth, of the Pioneering Care Partnership, won the Businessperson of the Year award for 2025, and NC Group’ s Brian Corker was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while former ABPC chair Kerina Clark was presented with the Aycliffe Ambassador Award.
WINNERS & FINALISTS ROLL CALL
Company of the Year Sponsored and shortlisted by Senstronics Winner: Husqvarna UK Finalists: Contego Environmental Services, BTS Facades & Fabrications
Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsored by Resolution Media and Publishing Winner: Brian Corker( NC Group) Finalists: Barry Wedgwood( Primex Plastics), Don Walker( Walker’ s Butchers)
Businessperson of the Year Sponsored and shortlisted by Aycliffe Business Park Community Winner: Carol Gaskarth( Pioneering Care Partnership) Finalists: Lee Childs( NC Group), Marcia Atkinson( BTS Facades & Fabrications)
Engineering & Manufacturing Sponsored and shortlisted by GEM Partnership Winner: Husqvarna UK Finalists: Durham Precision Engineering, Senstronics
Environment Award Sponsored by Ebac Winner: BTS Facades & Fabrications Finalists: Newton Press, Husqvarna UK
Service Business of the Year Sponsored and shortlisted by Moonrise 24hr Recruitment Winner: Pioneering Care Partnership Finalists: Murtek, Metrick Consultancy
Innovation Award Sponsored by Husqvarna UK Winner: Tidal Services Finalists: Digital Edge, Contego Environmental Response
Community Champions Sponsored and shortlisted by The Auckland Project Winner: Palram Finalists: Sisters of Support, ALP Active at Greenfield Academy
Apprentice of the Year Sponsored by Hiyed, shortlisted by Roman Winner: Matthew Davis( 3M) Finalists: Kelsea-Jo Watson( South West Durham Training), Ruth Alderson( Contego Environmental Services)
Small Business of the Year Sponsored and shortlisted by Business Durham Winner: Murtek Finalists: C & A Embroidery and Print, Dart Industrial Services
Newcomer of the Year Sponsored by Husqvarna UK Winner: Dart Industrial Services Finalists: Metrick Consultancy, Auckland Innovations
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 21