1n9e2Z7

SHROPSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS: THE WINNERSSHROPSHIRE COMPANY OF THE YEAR: THE HAWK GROUPTECHNOLOGY, ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATIONOUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICEAURA LIGHT UK, TELFORDAura Light UK specialises in energy-saving lighting products.It has produced the world’s longest-lasting fluorescenttube – capable of lasting up to 80,000 hours – and workedwith blue-chip firms such as Cadbury, Coca-Cola, VirginTrains, BP and Shell.Founded in 1930, the company says: “With a lifetime ofour light sources that is up to four times longer than standardproducts, maintenance costs and environmental impact arecut by 75 per cent. Our energy-saving lighting solutions canlower your energy consumption by up to 80 per cent. AuraLight helps to reduce both costs and carbon footprint.”AUBREY KIRKHAM FUNERAL DIRECTORS, SHREWSBURYAubrey Kirkham, based at Frankwell, is always looking fornew ways to make a difference. This respected business hasalready received a customer care award from the FuneralPlanning Services organisation in recognition of its efforts.Aubrey says: “At times of great personal sorrow, manypeople find themselves daunted by the prospect of havingto arrange a funeral. It’s not unusual to feel unsure of whereto turn. This is where Aubrey Kirkham Funeral Directors canprovide an outstanding level of care, guiding you throughregistering the death, and arranging the funeral, as well asoffering our support, at what is a traumatic time.”The Hawk Group, which has its headquarters at Prees Green innorth Shropshire, is made up of 11 companies covering everyaspect of the construction sector.It operates all over the UK, and internationally, employingover 700 people . . . but never forgets its local roots, supportingseveral Shropshire causes.It started trading in the 1960s, and has developed intoone of the largest construction equipment and agriculturalequipment hire companies in the UK, with a turnover of morethan £70 million.In the field of plant hire, Hawk is one of the leadingcompanies in the UK, providing customers with self-drive andoperated plant from a fleet of over 2,000 items both nationallyand internationally.On the contracting side, it helps customer with bulkearthworks, quarrying and remediation.And its Safety and Training division is one of the fastestgrowingcompanies in the Hawk Group, with its own trainingschool and facilities to carry out training throughout the UK.INTERNATIONAL TRADE THROUGH EXPORTIt is helping to fill a skills void in the construction industry,and changing perceptions about construction as a potentialcareer for school and further education leavers.Hawkins Motors, an established retail dealer which hasrepresented Ford for over 25 years, is also part of the HawkgroupMANAGING CHANGEROCKFORD IT, TELFORDRockford is a company which has seen major changes inthe past 18 months.It has evolved from a small owner-managed business toa structured firm with 22 staff.Turnover has grown by more than 20 per cent over thispast year.The company has 12 years of experience and specialisesin managed IT services, managed hosting, internetconnectivity, IT security and disaster recovery .It has two high-security data centres in Telford and one inLiverpool, and the Shropshire base is its head office.APPRENTICESHIPSGRAINGER & WORRALL, BRIDGNORTHEngineering firm Grainger & Worrall has grown massivelysince moving onto the Stanmore industrial estate.It plans to employ 10 apprentices this year to work acrossall levels of the business, making specialist castings forsome of the most famous motor car producers in the world,including Formula One teams.But this is nothing new. Apprentices have already playeda key role in helping the firm to double its headcount to 500in the last five years.Grainger & Worrall is the world’s leading provider of highquality, total castings for automotive, motorsport, energyand the wider transport market.Hawk Group’s second award on the night.6 7