SPONSORED BY TEES VALLEY BUSINESS BOARD
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
FINALIST ACEDA
Established for more than 30 years , Aceda delivers network infrastructure , electronic security solutions and E & I services across various market sectors , including universities , NHS organisations and utility providers .
Its main 2023 successes include relocating the business from Stokesley to a new office in Thornaby , upgrading its bespoke CRM system , securing two new major security maintenance contracts and recording significant turnover growth .
Great Scot – John Reeves received the Small Business of the Year award from Mike Racz and Helen Lyne of category sponsor the Tees Valley Business Board .
WINNER
EVENT CUP SOLUTIONS
He ’ s used to collecting cups – but picking up a coveted Tees Business Awards trophy was a special moment for proud Scot John Reeves .
John , who wore a splendid Cameron tartan kilt for the occasion , is founder and director of Middlesbrough-based Event Cup Solutions – a firm that collects , washes and returns reusable drinks cups to sporting and music venues across the UK .
From a zero turnover in 2019 to an expected £ 5m this year , John ’ s firm supplies and washes cups for 10 Premier League clubs , major music arenas and several outdoor festivals .
It ’ s also just netted the contract for this year ’ s Wimbledon tennis tournament , along with deals to wash the cups at Manchester ’ s new Co-op Live Arena and the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow .
It ’ s been a remarkable success story in a small space of time – so it ’ s little wonder that John was emotional when picking up the Small Business of the Year trophy , sponsored by Tees Valley Business Board .
“ I ’ m shocked – and yes , it ’ s very emotional ,” said John . “ A lot of work has gone into this , not just from me but from everyone else . It ’ s absolutely brilliant . “ How many times have I walked out of a building , having negotiated a big contract , wondering , ‘ How have we done that ’? Well , I ’ ll be walking out of here tonight saying exactly the same thing .”
The firm ’ s reusable cups are despatched from , and returned to , wash centres in West Bromwich , Manchester , London and Middlesbrough ’ s Skippers Lane Industrial Estate . And for John , two words sum up his firm ’ s ethos . He said : “ I ’ ve used two words throughout our whole business process – trust and transparency . “ We offer our customers complete trust and transparency in everything we do , and I believe that sets us aside from the competition .
“ That ’ s not to say they ’ re not to be trusted , but we ’ ve adopted the business in a completely different way – trust and transparency are the two key drivers in our business .”
SPONSOR ’ S REFLECTIONS :
Matthew Ord , deputy chair , Tees Valley Business Board “ Small businesses play a vital role in our local economy and the Tees Business Awards provide a fantastic platform to highlight and champion excellence among our SMEs . I ’ d like to congratulate winner Event Cup Solutions and the other finalists who provided superb examples of the brilliant , innovative work being done across all sectors .”
FINALIST DURATA
Trading for more than 10 years , critical power specialist Durata has established strong relationships with blue-chip clients and regularly brings visitors from around the world to Teesside .
But not only has it seen turnover targets achieved and increased , delivered projects for high-profile customers and opened a base in Frankfurt , it continues to employ local people , raise thousands of pounds for local good causes and promotes diversity and inclusivity in the industry .
FINALIST ELEMY
Small Business of the Year in 2023 , the past 12 months has seen Elemy invest heavily in its Warrenby site , providing new machinery , equipment and office space , creating further jobs and allowing the firm to offer more complex fabrication and enter new markets .
It also has an accredited quality management system , which is essential for working on largescale projects with national contractors .
FINALIST
HOGG GLOBAL LOGISTICS
Having survived as a start-up during Brexit and Covid , international freight-forwarding firm Hogg Global Logistics continues to record rising turnover and profits , as well as striving for excellence in an ever-changing industry .
And during its four years , the award-winning firm has always believed that if you are doing well , you should help others too .
2023 winner : Elemy
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