Lancashire firms win prestigious regional business awards

Two Lancashire businesses have won highly-respected regional business awards at this year’s EEF/Aldermore Future Manufacturing Awards, with another coming runner up.

The VEKA UK Group, which employs 400 staff at its Burnley base, won the Business Efficiency Award, awarded to the manufacturer that has most successfully brought in new operating practices to boost productivity and business performance.

Darwen-based Express Asphalt, which manufactures and supplies coated asphalt for the construction industry and employs five staff, was runner-up for the Environmental Efficiency Award, sponsored by CMR Consultants and energyTEAM. Judges awarded it silver in recognition of its efforts to improve its environmental performance.

Dave Jones, managing director, The VEKA UK Group, said: “This award recognises our team’s hard work and dedication, especially in relation to our new, on-site mixing plant. This new facility is the most technically-advanced mixing plant in the UK and it has been designed with future expansion in mind. It's fully automated to ensure absolute efficiency.

Rick Harbour, plant manager at Express Asphalt, said: “This achievement is down to our team’s hard work and dedication - we are delighted to have been recognised in this way. Not only does it demonstrate the valuable contribution made by local manufacturers like ourselves, but it also puts us on the map as a modern and innovative company. This is great news for us to share with all our staff, customers and suppliers.”