US-based multi-national firm 3M, which first opened its Newton Aycliffe facility in 1966, was crowned Aycliffe Business Park’s Company of the Year on Friday 20th May.
The pandemic heroes were one of eight winners revealed at the ‘Make Your Mark’ awards event, held at Redworth Hall hotel in association with headline sponsors Husqvarna, in front of 180 guests that included Sedgefield MP, Paul Howell.
3M Aycliffe’s proud plant manager Paul Hind said: “All our staff were issued with official government paperwork to prove they were key workers in the first lockdown. They all worked ever so hard, so this recognition is for them and the hours they all put in during what was such a strange and challenging time. Our globally renowned products were designed and manufactured here in Aycliffe. Our success is a testament to our people, who – put simply – were helping to save lives. When we respond in the way that we did, we’re letting our company know that we’re a safe pair of hands, and this will hopefully bring more investment to Aycliffe Business Park in the future.”
The diverse range of companies now operating on Aycliffe Business Park were highlighted during the Make Your Mark awards event, with the list of shortlists including a new baby swimming facility, a British Sign Language interpreting agency, a world-leading shower manufacturer, a global producer of semiconductors and an engineering firm that has expanded into collaborate robots.
The Make Your Mark 2022 roll call of winners & finalists:
Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Think Kudos)
Winner: Ellie Shooter (Digital Edge)
Finalist: Connor Bland (Stiller Warehousing and Distribution)
Newcomer of the Year (sponsored by Business Durham)
Winner: The Fish Tank
Finalists: Rare Rockets, Valhalla North
Environment Award (sponsored by Ebac)
Winner: Roman
Finalists: Valhalla North, BTS Facades & Fabrications
Service Business of the Year (sponsored by Stiller Warehousing & Distribution)
Winner: OHTS
Finalists: Upex Electrical Distributors, Digital Edge
Innovation Award (sponsored by Gestamp)
Winner: Valhalla North
Finalists: Excelpoint, Cobots Online
Engineering & Manufacturing (sponsored by Richardson Barberry)
Winner: BTS Facades & Fabrications
Finalists: II-VI, Cobots Online
Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Jacksons Law Firm)
Winner: C&A Embroidery & Print
Finalists: Logico, Bespoke Electrical
Company of the Year (sponsored by Husqvarna)
Winner: 3M
Finalists: Valhalla North, BTS Facades & Fabrications