Liverpool company scoops Company of the Year at the Chemicals Northwest Awards 2010
A Liverpool-based company is celebrating today after being crowned Company of the Year at the prestigious Chemicals Northwest Awards.
RS Clare & Company Ltd, flew the flag for local industry by scooping the top accolade - Chemicals Northwest Company of the Year title from a shortlist of four. RS Clare are also one of the sponsors for Liverpool's presence at World Expo Shanghai 2010.
The awards, which took place at The Midland, Manchester, last night, celebrate the region’s £10bn chemical industry and showcased the North West’s world-class chemical companies.
Speaking at the prestigious black-tie dinner, Tony Shannon, Business Sector Manager at R S Clare and Co LTD, said: "We feel very proud and privileged to receive this award.
“For those of you who don't know about us, R S Clare has been going in Liverpool since 1748. We have been around a long time but we like to think that we are well-established rather than old. We are also a youthful and innovative company and it is that mix of experience with youthfulness that drives us forward and ensures our success.
"I am very proud to work at R S Clare and I think most of us who work there would agree with Chemicals Northwest that we really are the Company of the Year."
Preston-based company Evans Vanodine International plc was awarded the International Trade title while Axion Polymers, who are based in Salford, took home the Environmental Technology for the Chemical Industry Award.
In total, 24 North West companies were shortlisted for nine categories from scores of entries.
Three individuals were also shortlisted for the new Young Achiever in the North West Chemical Sector category, with Paul Staniland of Widnes-based Croda Europe, taking the eventual accolade both for his scientific achievements and his role as a lead ambassador for Croda’s community projects.
Chemicals Northwest CEO, Jenny Clucas, explained that the Awards aim to highlight the superb work of local companies that ensures the region remains the largest chemical producing area in the country.
Dr Clucas said: “It was a great evening and amazing to be able to celebrate our local companies’ achievements of the last 12 months. We are only able to do this because we have such a strong and diverse chemical industry in the region.
“Again, companies have proven that they are still investing in skills, innovation and sustainable development in order to improve their businesses and that they have not dropped corporate social responsibility activities from their agendas.
“These Awards prove that North West chemical companies are continuing to become more sustainable, are increasingly innovating, and are finding more and more overseas opportunities.
“We are especially pleased to award the Chemicals Northwest Company of the Year Award to RS Clare for the work that they have done over the years both with Chemicals Northwest and for the wider industry.“
Tony Bastock, group managing director Contract Chemicals and Chemicals Northwest chairman, said: “The chemical industry employs more than 50,000 people in the region and it these individuals who are developing business and promoting the chemical industry.
“We are delighted to be able to acknowledge the hard work of people like Paul Staniland and the staff at RS Clare and hope it inspires others to step up to the mark.”
Chemicals Northwest is a cluster organisation which supports the region’s chemical industry and has 145 members. It is a not-for-profit organisation jointly funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
Vanda Murray OBE, deputy chair of the NWDA and chair of Business Link Northwest, added: "The chemical sector contributes a staggering £10bn to the Northwest economy. This industry deserves recognition and it is great to be able to highlight the expertise that we have here in our region through the second Chemicals Northwest Awards.
“I have heard tonight about how companies are being more innovative and sustainable in the current climate and I hope that these Awards will not only inspire companies and their employees but also help to improve the public view of the chemical industry.
“It was clear that this year’s Awards built on the success of 2009 and I am sure they will continue to go from strength-to-strength in future years.”
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