FAST GROWTH EARNS SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD WIN FOR MURTEK
Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by
THE FINALISTS
Durham County Council head of inclusive growth and partnerships for regeneration, economy and growth Mark Stamper( right) presented the Small Business of the Year award to Murtek managing director Stuart Murray.
FAST GROWTH EARNS SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD WIN FOR MURTEK
A
conscious decision to expand has paid remarkable dividends for IT and communications firm Murtek – and helped earn it the Small Business of the Year title.
On target for a £ 1m turnover this year, it’ s been a time of rapid growth for a company that was, in its own words,“ somewhat a secret” – until now.
Thanks to a shift in growth mindset and some eye-catching contracts – including one with an international business that even required a US government privacy agreement – Murtek is branching out notably.
And that, says MD Stuart Murray, is no accident.
He explained:“ There were three of us for a long time and we were always happy with who and what we were.
“ We didn’ t want to be a global brand and we still don’ t particularly want to be, but we do want to grow.
“ So, when we decided to go for it, we really pushed sales. Our growth has come from referrals and people recommending us.
“ When we’ ve worked with people, usually if we pick up a customer, they’ ve been with us for life and that’ s important to us.”
“ We’ re 11 people at the moment – soon to be 12 – and we’ ll hit £ 1m turnover, which is a first for us.
“ Even though we’ ve never pushed growth, we’ ve always grown year on year but now we’ re really starting. We’ ve essentially doubled in turnover in the last two years.”
Stuart began his career as an Ebac apprentice, so it’ s perhaps fitting that since moving into Ebac’ s premises on the business park in 2022, Murtek’ s workforce has increased by 50 %.
Stuart said:“ For me, service is everything to our customers. If you can do a good job and provide good service, everything follows.
“ Trying to expand that and bring a few more people to do that holds us in good stead.”
And after receiving the trophy, Stuart was keen to pay tribute to the Aycliffe Business Park community.
He said:“ When we decided a year ago we wanted to branch out, we spoke to a few people on the park who were so helpful – and I think that’ s the biggest thing with Aycliffe. Every business you come across is supportive and it’ s given us confidence to grow. Strategically, too, it’ s a fantastic location.
“ I wouldn’ t think of going anywhere else – I think we’ ll be on there for life, really!”
PREVIOUS WINNERS 2024: NC GROUP 2022: C & A EMBROIDERY & PRINT 2018: M5TEC 2016: BEAUMONT GROUNDS MAINTENANCE 2015: WORKSHOP SUPPLIES 2014: BEANIES
DART INDUSTRIAL SERVICES Since its launch in 2023, Dart Industrial Services has experienced significant growth in major construction sectors, working for local authorities, including Durham County Council, highways agencies, Network Rail, toll roads, major gas and oil companies and numerous large tier one contractors.
Dart has also worked on some key UK infrastructure and landmarks, including the High Level Bridge over the River Tyne in Newcastle. The oldest bridge over the river and the first in the UK to have road and rail in one structure, Dart’ s input is part of a wider £ 4m refurbishment scheme.
Dart’ s work spans the UK, with a focus on the local community – over 80 % of the firm’ s current workforce live within the boundaries of County Durham.
C & A EMBROIDERY AND PRINT C & A Embroidery and Print, owned by 31-year-old Laura Flood, offers inhouse embroidery and printing services, supplying a wide range of clothing including workwear, corporate attire, hospitality uniforms and sportswear.
As a small independent business, C & A prides itself on providing a bespoke, personalised service, building lasting relationships with customers that lead to repeat business.
C & A works with several local businesses, including Husqvarna, Ebac, Cobots Online, Durham Precision Engineering and Finley Structures, supplying them with a complete range of branded workwear such as polo shirts, jackets, hi-vis vests, cargo trousers and safety boots.
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 31