Top performing companies from a range of sectors including tech, construction manufacturing and fashion have been revealed as finalists for M.E.N. Business of the Year Awards 2019.
This year marks 27 years of the hugely popular awards ceremony, which celebrates businesses of all shapes and sizes across the region.
The event will take place at The Principal, Manchester, on Thursday, November 14.
Headline sponsors for this year’s awards are law firm Hill Dickinson, business advisers PwC, recruitment giant Robert Walters, Manchester Airport and Virgin Airlines, Brewin Dolphin, Barclays and LDC.
Category sponsors are Bolton School and Salford Business School.
An overwhelming amount of companies entered this year and judges spent months visiting each entrant before gathering to agree shortlists for each category.
Now they have reached their conclusion.
In the category for businesses with a substantial operation in the region but not headquartered within the M.E.N. circulation area, the finalists are global media and communications agency Dentsu Aegis, Virtual Human Resources Group, a global technical recruitment specialist and contractor Russells Construction.
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In the turnover £100m+ category there are three finalists.
Stockport company and the world’s biggest reseller of physical media musicMagpie is up against Manchester-based telecommunications business Verastar and 2017 Mitchell Henry Prize winner Morson Group.
In the £50m-£100m category, Manchester-headquartered post-accident services specialist EDAM Group makes the shortlist alongside Manchester-based promotional products company Brand Addition.
In the £25m-£50m category, innovative packaging firm Duo 海角视频 is a finalist alongside Manchester finance company Evolution Money, specialist materials manufacturer M&I Materials, and Rochdale-based producer of natural yoghurts, Lancashire Farm Dairies.
Another three businesses make the shortlist in the £10m-£25m category, starting with independent Manchester-based paint manufacturer HMG Paints, software development firm, Godel Technologies and last year’s winners Utilities Design & Planning, which have moved up a category.
In the £5m-£10m category, Manchester-based equipment hire business Quick Reach Powered Access makes the shortlist joining retail display suppliers 100 Percent Group, developer and retailer of tabletop games, Steamforged Games and energy infrastructure specialists Aberla Services.
The turnover £1m-£5m category has three finalists, who are AlphaBiolabs, the Warrington-based DNA, drug and alcohol testing company, BODA SKINS, the Salford-based global fashion brand, and Manchester fintech company, AccessPay.
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The One to Watch category has a trio of finalists.
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They include digital training specialists Code Nation, Manchester fashion brand Nadine Merabi and business management consultants Kan Do Ventures.
Shelina Begum, M.E.N. business editor, said: “This year’s competition has seen an immensely high standard of entries and all 27 companies can be proud of being shortlisted.
“We look forward to another fantastic celebration of the companies that are excelling across Greater Manchester and are grateful for all entries.”
The black tie celebratory awards evening will once again be hosted by Nicholas Owen.
Tickets to the awards are now on sale for firms wishing to celebrate business success in our region. To buy tickets visit menbusinessoftheyear awards.co.uk or call M.E.N. events team on 0161 211 2188.
Full list of finalists are:
Turnover £100m+ sponsored by PwC
musicMagpie
Morson Group
Verastar
Turnover £50m - £100m sponsored by Robert Walters
EDAM Group
Brand Addition
Turnover £25m - £50m sponsored by Hill Dickinson
Duo 海角视频
Evolution Money Limited
M&I Materials Ltd
Lancashire Farm Dairies
Turnover £10m - £25m sponsored by Brewin Dolphin
HMG Paints Ltd
Godel Technologies Europe Ltd
Utilities Design & Planning
Turnover £5m - £10m sponsored by Manchester Evening News
Quick Reach Powered Access Ltd
100 Percent Group Limited
Steamforged Games Ltd
Aberla Services Ltd
Turnover £1m - £5m sponsored by Salford Business School
AlphaBiolabs
BODA SKINS
AccessPay
One to watch (turnover £0-£1m) sponsored by Bolton School
Code Nation
Nadine Merabi
Kan Do Ventures
Head office outside Greater Manchester (turnover £50m+) sponsored by Manchester Airport
Dentsu Aegis
Virtual Human Resources Group
Russells Construction
Judges’ Choice Award sponsored by Barclays
Announced during the awards
Mitchell Henry Prize sponsored by LDC
Announced during the awards