Monty brewery in Awards running

A number of Welshpool-based companies along with a Montgomery Brewery are in the running to win the county’s top awards for business excellence.

The ‘Business of the Year’ awards shortlist has been unveiled, with 14 up for grabs in categories ranging from Exporter-of-the-Year to the Best Start-up where Monty’s Brewery is in the running. The company says it is the first brewery in Montgomeryshire since the Eagle Brewery closed in the 1980’s.

A total of 32 Powys businesses have reached the finals of the awards, with winners set to be revealed in a glittering black tie dinner in Llandrindod Wells in September.

Export - Broadcrown, manufacturers of diesel generators, of Newtown; Dulas, renewable energy company, of Machynlleth; Castalum, automotive manufacturing firm, of Welshpool.

Innovation - Brecon Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceuticals packaging company, Hay-on-Wye; Plant 1, vehicle telematics firm, of Machynlleth; Firm Figure & Beauty, medical spa, of Newtown.

Manufacturing - Broadcrown, manufacture of diesel generators, of Newtown; Skye Instruments, designers of environmental monitoring equipment, of Llandrindod; Makefast, manufacturers, of Newtown; Wipak, flexible packaging firm, of Welshpool.

Small Business - Abbey Cwm Hir, tourist attraction, of Abbey-Cwm-Hir; Welsh Meat Online, meat cutting plant, of Welshpool; Pilgrims Tearooms, of Brecon.

Social/Charity - Family Crisis Centre, of Newtown; Cwm Harry, nutrient recycling company, of Newtown; Mid Wales Food/Land Trust, a not-for-profit community organisation, of Newtown.

Start-Up - Select Security, security services, of Crickhowell; Cambrian Foundry, steel fabrication, of Newtown; Monty's Brewery of Montgomery.

Training - Brecon Pharmaceuticals, of Hay-on-Wye; Castalum, automotive manufacturing, of Welshpool; Mid Wales Storage Centre, self access storage company, of Macynlleth.

Young Entrepreneur - Bev's Mobile Hair, Freelance hairdresser & beauty, of Trefeglwys; Pure Beauty, organic beauty salon, of Welshpool; Gloversure, Web designer, of Welshpool.

Growth - GSM, Auto-component manufacturer, of Brecon; 5C, IT support and sales company, of Builth Wells; Dulas, renewable energy company, of Machynlleth.

Retail - Ty Morgans, accomodation provider/Bistro/Bar, of Rhayader; Toy Stop, toy and games retailer, of Llanidloes; The Waen Brewery of Caersws.

Food & Drink - Radnor Preserves of New Radnor; Clam's Cakes, bakery, of Crickhowell; Welsh Meat Online, meat cutting plant, of Welshpool.

Tourism - Radnor Hills Cottages, self catering accommodation, of New Radnor; Abbey Cwm Hir, tourist attraction, of Abbey-Cwm-Hir; National Show Caves, visitor attraction, of Swansea.

The awards are organised by MWMG, Powys County Council and the Cambrian News.

Last year's inaugural business awards were a huge success, celebrated in a glittering dinner and awards presentation attended by nearly 200 guests.

And this year's awards contest will be the highlight of a week-long series of events to raise the profile of industry in the county. The Powys Business Week will feature talks by economists, speed networking events, and seminars on marketing and branding, finance and business support, plus much more.

Companies large and small were encouraged to enter the awards, which celebrate excellence in business in the county and bring recognition in the local and regional business communities.

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "These awards are a fantastic opportunity for businesses to raise their profile. Businesses are independently judged on their excellent standards.

“The awards structure offers a public forum where recipients can gather in the presence of other business leaders and their peers to celebrate their success, at the awards dinner and presentation.

“Also, award recipients enjoy local publicity as the awards are covered by local and regional newspapers, and by broadcasters.”

The categories for the 2010 Powys Business Awards are:

Business of the Year sponsored by Powys County Council; Judges' Award, sponsored by RES Ltd; Growth Award, sponsored by Finance Wales Plc; Innovation Award sponsored by Flexible Support for Business and Welsh Assembly Government; Training Award sponsored by Coleg Powys; Small Business Award sponsored by Federation of Small Businesses; Start Up Business sponsored by TGAL and Tattum Guest Associates Ltd; Export Award sponsored by HSBC; Social Enterprise/Charity Award sponsored by Mid-Wales Housing Association Ltd; Young Entrepreneur Award sponsored by Cambrian News and Brecon and Radnor Express; Retail Award sponsored by the County Times; Manufacturing Award sponsored by MWMG; Excellence in Food Manufacture/Processing Award sponsored by Tesco Stores Plc; Tourism Award sponsored by Tourism Partnership Mid Wales.