Glasses were raised to toast family-owned soft drinks manufacturer Radnor Hills who had a night to remember at the Powys Business Awards.
The Knighton based company was named the overall Powys Business of the Year at the award sponsored by Powys County Council on Friday (October 20).
In addition, Radnor Hills became the first winner of the new Excellence in Sustainability Award, sponsored by Welsh Government, at the annual awards ceremony held at The Hafren, Newtown.
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Amazingly, all but 30 of the scheduled 230 guests managed to attend the event despite flooded roads across the county.
Organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG) with support from sponsors, the coveted awards, are open to companies, organisations, social enterprises and charities. Awards host for the third time was BBC Wales presenter Claire Summers.
Established in 1990 by William Watkins on his family farm, which has exceptionally pure spring water, Radnor Hills has an annual turnover of around £58 million and is constantly striving to become more sustainable to protect its local environment.
The company has made a ‘zero to landfill’ commitment, introducing straw-free cartons, 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles, planting more than 14,000 trees and recycling everything it possibly can.
Councillor David Selby, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “Radnor Hills has demonstrated a focussed and committed leadership approach, where excellence in sustainability is at the heart of the business.
“Their continued reinvestment in the company, in terms of operations, people development and environmental standards, ensures their continuing strengthened position in the market place both now and in the future.
“In what is a challenging environment, the company are setting their sights higher in terms of their environmental responsibility which again sets them apart from the competition. We believe they are an example to others and make a worthy ambassador as a standard bearer for business in Powys.”
Radnor Hills product and innovation developer Christian Smith, who collected the awards in the flood enforced absence of general manager Dave Pope, said: “It’s a privilege to accept this award which is a credit to the whole company.
“Huge credit also goes to Radnor Hills owner and creator William Wakins who is so passionate about the company and very much a hands-on leader.”
Mr Watkins added: “Radnor Hills ensures that sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do. From the top to the bottom of the company we want to ensure that we are doing the right thing not just for Radnor Hills but also for the environment and the planet. After all, it’s in our nature.”
Hilltop Honey from Newtown also celebrated a double by collecting the Growth Award sponsored by EDF Renewables and the Entrepreneurship Award sponsored by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group.
Amye Pickstock and Jake Sampson, landlords of The Abermule Inn, Abermule, won the special Judges Award.
The first winner of the Sole Trader Award, sponsored by the Powys County Times, was Sue Lewis from Wash & Wags, a mobile dog grooming business from Libanus, Brecon.
Other winners included:
- Black Mountains College, Talgarth, won the Small Business Award, sponsored by WIPAK.
- CastAlum Limited, Welshpool, picked up the the Technology and Innovation Award, sponsored by Cellpath.
- EOM Electrical Contractors in Newtown, won the Small Business Growth Award, sponsored by WR Partners.
- FieldMouse Research Ltd, Montgomery, was awarded the Micro Business Award, sponsored by Welshpool Printing Group.
- Great House Farm Luxury Pods and Self Catering at Llandeilo Graban, Builth Wells, won the Start-up Business Award, sponsored by EvaBuild.
- Pave Aways Ltd, Newtown won the People Development Award, sponsored by NPTC Group of Colleges.
- The Arches and Rhayader & District Community Support, won the Social Enterprise/ Charity Award, sponsored by Myrick Training Services.
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