SPONSORED BY PD PORTS
TEES BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
FINALIST
CLEVELAND CONTAINERS
Champions – Fleet Factors finance director Katrina McManus ( right ) and sales director James McCulloch received the Tees Business of the Year trophy from Kirsten Donkin of category sponsors PD Ports .
WINNER
FLEET FACTORS
The climax of the inaugural Tees Business Awards saw Middlesbrough firm Fleet Factors drive off with the big one – the Tees Business of the Year title .
One of the UK ’ s largest independent wholesalers for vehicle parts , refinish products and PPE , family firm Fleet Factors was founded in 1975 and , from its Middlesbrough HQ , continues to evolve and thrive , with 27 UK depots and more than 200 more managed sites .
It also gives back to the community through its Fleet Factors Community Fund , which raises funds for charities and local projects .
After clinching the Business of the Year title , delighted finance director Katrina McManus and sales director James McCulloch told of the part Teesside plays in the Fleet Factors story .
James said : “ It ’ s come over a number of years . Hard work , a big team and a lot of people throughout the UK have helped us get to where we are today .
“ Teesside , I believe , has a different work ethic . We work hard and we deliver – that ’ s been the underlying roots of what we ’ ve achieved collectively across the UK .”
Katrina added : “ We ’ ve been trying to put a lot back into the community over the last few years . We ’ ve established the community fund and put a lot back into Teesside .
“ We were established in Teesside in 1975 – it ’ s our home , so it ’ s a massive thing for us to be a Teesside business . We ’ re known nationally now , but this is our home .”
James added that Fleet has further expansion plans and hailed the Tees Business Awards as a great addition to the Teesside business scene .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Frans Caljé , PD Ports CEO , said : “ PD Ports is proud of its Teesside heritage and welcomed the opportunity at the inaugural Tees Business Awards to recognise the amazing work local businesses are doing . Fleet Factors epitomise the enterprising excellence that can be found in abundance within the region and fully deserve the title of Tees Business of the Year .”
Established in 2011 , this family-run business is the UK ’ s leading supplier of shipping containers .
Operating out of 15 UK depots , it offers standard and specialised containers in a range of sizes and modifies containers for bespoke projects .
In 2020 , it relocated its HQ from Middlesbrough to larger premises at Preston Farm , Stockton . It also has its own depot in Middlesbrough that features a large workshop for container conversions and modifications . Last year saw record-breaking results , including a turnover of £ 58.6m , growing the business by 64.6 per cent in one year .
Its two new divisions , Cleveland Hire and Cleveland Modular , provide further services for its 15,000-strong customer base .
FINALIST VISTECH SERVICES
Founded in 2010 , Middlesbrough-based Vistech now has more than 300 SIA security professionals working across the region , in addition to contracts nationally .
It is dedicated to providing professional integrated security and facilities management solutions , including static guarding , CCTV and system installation / monitoring , mobile patrols , alarm response and key-holding services .
In 2022 , it launched a state-of-the-art , 24- hour control room at its Middlesbrough head office . It has also invested heavily in its mobile patrol fleet vehicles , which are fitted with the latest smart dash cameras and tracking systems .
Vistech works closely with customers , employees and suppliers to embrace and promote commitments in four key areas : community , environment , marketplace and workplace .
36 | Tees Business