Family-owned Oswestry, Shropshire-based GWR Fasteners has won the inaugural APC SME Growth Award for the Midlands region.
The recently expanded fasteners supplier and manufacturer was selected by a panel of judges to have demonstrated the most growth, community engagement and innovation across APC’s network of small business customers in the Midlands region. The company was founded ten years ago, and is serviced by APC depot TWC Parcel Collection Services to distribute its products.
In a strong nomination from TWC Parcel Collection Services, GWR Fasteners demonstrated impressive innovation and knowledge of its market – developing, for example, GWR Colourfast – the capability of colouring stainless steel products.
The community spirit at the heart of the business was also something that the judges applauded, as its variety of community support schemes raise vital funds for local schools and theatres.
Jude Robinson, Managing Director at GWR Fasteners (interviewed in April's Torque Magazine), said: “To win this prestigious award is the cherry on top of an already-amazing year for us. We recently moved to new custom-built premises in Artillery Business Park in Oswestry, and have just launched our new business information system to increase the efficiency of our order dispatching and automate a lot of our manufacturing processes.
“We have worked with the APC, Joe and his team at the Shrewsbury depot for several years and they have always provided an exemplary service. A special mention should really be given to Nick – our steadfast delivery driver – who has always maintained absolute efficiency and professionalism for us, ensuring that we have a consistently happy customer base. This is really just the beginning, with further investment to expand our manufacturing division and online business planned later in the year.”
Joe Stevenson, Business Development Manager at TWC Parcel Collection, said: “We are absolutely delighted that GWR Fasteners has won the APC SME Growth Award for the Midlands. They are a wonderful example of what a family run business can achieve through dedication and a quality offering. It is also a great reflection on the team at TWC – particularly the outstanding contribution of Nick, one of our longest serving drivers.”
Jonathan Smith, CEO of APC, said: “Quality small businesses are known for rapid growth, innovation and community engagement, and it’s exactly these qualities that the Growth Awards celebrate. GWR Fasteners is a great example of a thriving SME, and a worthy regional winner. From its detailed knowledge and understanding of its customer base, through to the wonderful work that it carries out to raise money for the community, it is exactly the type of business that we love to work with.”
APC is the UK's largest independent delivery network, specialising in SMEs from a range of sectors, and is made up of independently run, local depots. The APC SME Growth Awards were launched this year to recognise and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of the SME customers across the APC network. Wild Harbour Fishing Company, based in Hayle, Cornwall, claimed the overall national prize; and nine small businesses were awarded regional winners. The awards were judged by Jonathan Smith, CEO of APC; Richard Alvin, Group MD of Capital Business Media; and Richard Butler, West Midlands Director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
