Winner: TBOX TECH
Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by
THE FINALISTS
Tbox Tech founder Jon Elwell received the Small Business of the Year award from Ian Nelson of category sponsor NC Group.
Winner: TBOX TECH
The“ blown away” boss of Aycliffe’ s Small Business of the Year says his firm plans to keep punching above its weight. Tbox Tech, which specialises in patented inventory and smart storage systems, has only been going for around a year.
And yet the three-person firm – CEO and founder Jon Elwell, wife Tracey and son Jayden – can boast an order book to envy and is even having to turn down some work because it’ s so busy.
But as Jon proudly pointed out when receiving the Make Your Mark Awards Small Business trophy from Liam Noble of category sponsor NC Group, it’ s a business very much centred on the Aycliffe area.
He said:“ We’ ve had an incredible year. We effectively started in August last year when we had to start the business again and since then, we’ ve developed six new devices.
“ But everything we do is in a 50-mile radius of the business park. All our suppliers and contractors are in the area and we’ re very proud to support this community because this community supports us.”
Jon’ s business journey began when he was helping design and develop technology for the likes of Amazon Go and Unipress.
He explained:“ I developed RFID storerooms and vending machine technology and patented them in the UK, US and Europe for various devices. Then we started to build them with partners or working for people.
“ Thirteen years ago, we decided to go it alone – then we licensed our technology to a third party and they were quite happy to use it.
“ Last August, the 10-year licence we had came to an end and we effectively grabbed it by the reins and have gone on from there.
“ I was the first engineer for vending in the UK. I build every prototype and once it’ s built, I get subcontractors to build them. So, I still get my hands dirty every day – they’ re covered in cuts and bruises.”
Moving into a unit next door to Greggs –“ I’ ve put 20lbs on!” laughed Jon – allowed Toolbox Tech to establish itself from an Aycliffe base.
Since then, the firm has worked with big names such as BAE, Zebra printers, Gillette and H & M – and it even had to turn down Rolls-Royce because it was too busy.
C & A EMBROIDERY AND PRINT C & A Embroidery and Print is an exceptional in-house operator delivering high-quality workwear and school uniforms.
Renowned for flexibly accommodating students with sensory needs, C & A demonstrates profound community care.
Since early 2025, the business has achieved significant growth, securing major contracts with prominent companies like 3M, Husqvarna and Ebac, alongside a new contract with Byerley Park School.
To support this rapid expansion, C & A increased its dedicated workforce, launched a highly responsive, user-friendly website in January 2025, and invested in advanced embroidery machinery to boost production capacity.
With a strong customer focus and continuous improvement, C & A is a standout small business.
HIYED Founded by Tracy Fee in Newton Aycliffe, Hiyed is a remarkable not-for-profit supported employment service.
Within just two years, this small business has achieved phenomenal growth, expanding from three to 48 staff- 80 % of whom have lived experience of disability and all earning the real living wage- while reaching a £ 750,000 turnover.
Hiyed has successfully supported 250 people into paid employment and achieved a 100 % success rate with supported interns.
Launching innovative initiatives like Young & Hiyed and community Happiness Hubs, their exceptional impact has earned them a national Business Hero award and invitations to Downing Street.
PREVIOUS WINNERS 2025: MURTEK 2024: NC GROUP 2022: C & A EMBROIDERY & PRINT 2018: M5TEC 2016: BEAUMONT GROUNDS MAINTENANCE 2015: WORKSHOP SUPPLIES 2014: BEANIES
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