Awards presented to winners of Spirit of Enterprise Awards 2018

Organised by enterpriseGY, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's business support service, the popular awards aim to recognise and raise the profile of the borough's top-performing companies, while boosting confidence in the strength of the local economy. 

The ceremony, held in the Town Hall's grand Assembly Room on Friday, saw API Microelectronics Limited announced in front of 200 guests as Great Yarmouth's 2018 Business of the Year, having been chosen from the winners of the other categories by overall award sponsor Noritake Itron.

Special crystal trophies were also presented to the winners of the various categories, with finalists spanning a wide diversity of sectors, including energy and manufacturing, tourism and hospitality, retail, recruitment and professional services. Each award was backed by a local organisation, with each sponsor or their representative choosing the winner in their category (see list of sponsors and winners below).

API Microelectronics Limited, which has a design and manufacturing facility at South Denes, won the Great Manufacturing/Engineering Business category and was then selected as overall winner from among the category winners by Noritake Itron.

Matt Howchin, general manager at API Microelectronics Limited, said: "We were really excited to be shortlisted in three categories, so to win the Great Manufacturing/Engineering Business category and then be named 2018 Business of the Year is such a great accolade and the whole team is thrilled to have this badge of honour.

"As one of the longest-standing employers in the borough, the business has seen significant changes in technology, market conditions and globalization. But through continued innovation and investment in people and products, together with manufacturing excellence backed by industry-leading accreditations, we have grown and prospered.

"The business is very much part of the community and these awards are important recognition by that community, as well as a reflection of the hard work and dedication of staff. The trophies will be displayed at our office, acting as a morale boost for everyone and sending a very positive message to our clients."

Cllr Graham Plant, the council leader, who made a speech at the ceremony, said: "In addition to boosting investor confidence, the Spirit of Enterprise Awards encourages businesses to be aspirational and proud of the role they play in the local business community, which is world class.

"The awards evening is always a brilliant showcase of business excellence. This year, we've seen another batch of strong entries, and once again we have been hugely impressed by the many excellent businesses of different sizes and sectors, who are ambassadors for the strength of the local economy.

"I would like to congratulate all the shortlisted finalists, category winners and overall winner, as well as thank the sponsors, including overall award sponsor Noritake Itron."

Andy Stubbings, of Noritake Itron, said: "Choosing an overall winner was tough, but we selected API Microelectronics Limited based on their submission and background research online. Key factors were their contribution to employment in Great Yarmouth, advanced product development and manufacturing technique, export market penetration, return on capital employed, bottom line profitability and sustainability compared to the other category winners."

The media partners for this year's awards were the Great Yarmouth Mercury and The Beach radio station, whose morning show presenter Rob Chandler compered the ceremony. Desmond MacCarthy, of Wiveton Hall, who is best known from TV documentary Normal for Norfolk, was the keynote speaker.