Northumberland based equine bedding manufacturer Bedmax Ltd is celebrating being named Manufacturer of the Year in the 2020 North East Business Awards, held virtually last night, 24th September 2020.
Prior to lockdown, Bedmax won Manufacturer of the Year at the Northumberland and Tyneside Business Awards, and at last night’s final the industry pioneers were up against stiff competition, two highly successful engineering companies, Sotech Ltd of Peterlee and Teesside based Intelect.
On announcing the winner of the Manufacturer of the Year Award, Cllr Simon Henig (Leader of Durham County Council & Chair of the Business Durham Advisory Board) said:
“It is a huge honour to be able to recognise the contribution that manufacturers across the region make in supporting our local economies and in providing skilled employment opportunities. All the finalists shortlisted would have been deserving of the award, but after careful consideration from the panel I am delighted to announce that the winner of the Manufacturers Award is Bedmax Ltd.”
Bedmax Ltd is a manufacturer of bespoke equine bedding, with two Royal Warrant of Appointments. Producing Bedmax, Littlemax and Stockmax shavings, along with Hotmax fuel logs, it is a modern, innovative and ambitious business and a UK market leader with a global reputation. Launched exactly 20 years ago by Managing Director Tim Smalley, this North Northumberland family company employs almost 60 members of staff across its head office in Belford and production plants in Northumberland, Nottinghamshire and Hampshire.
On receiving the award on behalf of Bedmax Ltd Director, Jon Malton, said:
“I am absolutely thrilled to accept this award and delighted for the fabulous production and head office teams at Bedmax who work so hard. This just shows what innovation, technology and skill, driven by a passion for quality, can achieve. Britain has always been brilliant at making things and here at Bedmax we are going to keep doing it!”
At this glitzy virtual awards ceremony, Gateshead’s Aspire Technology Solutions were awarded Company of the Year, Jam Jar Cinema took the Heart of the Community prize, Footy.com were awarded the Innovation Award and Adventure Valley won the Tourism and Hospitality prize. Hosted by TV presenter Kirsten O’Brien and BBC presenter Alfie Joey, the virtual event was launched by Helen Dalby, North East Audience and Content Director for Journal Publishers Reach plc.
The event also heard from Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, Director General of the CBI, who said: “Every time I’ve visited the North East it feels like a real community. We’re thinking about the future as we deal with the challenges of the present and I believe that the North East has an extraordinary role to play in our net zero transition. The businesses you have are incredibly well placed to be in the vanguard of that very important climate change revolution.”
