A healthcare business which provides specialist diagnostic products to clinicians and laboratory professionals worldwide has been crowned Company of the Year at the 2021 Birmingham Post Business Awards.
Binding Site, whose headquarters are based on the Calthorpe Estate in Edgbaston, was founded in the 1980s by researchers at the University of Birmingham and is now a leader in the field of the diagnosis and management of blood cancers and immune system disorders.
It researches, develops, manufactures and distributes tests used for their detection and now has a direct presence in more than 25 countries, employing around 1,100 people worldwide including more than 700 in Birmingham.
The company works with hospitals and research labs across the globe and its international operations now mean overseas trade accounts for around 90 per cent of its revenues.
This prompted our judging panel to name it the International Trade and Export Award winner before being chosen ahead of all the other category champions to be crowned overall Company of the Year at tonight's Business Awards online award ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony after being crowned Company of the Year, chief financial officer Mark Culwick said: "The last 12 months have been incredibly challenging.
"During the heart of the lockdown, we had 350 colleagues who were coming in every day, despite all the challenges and uncertainties of covid, to ensure the vital, life-saving products we made went out to patients around the world.
"We are really delighted that we will be announcing a big, new investment in Birmingham which will probably create 350 jobs over the coming years.
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"Hopefully, that is a testament to everyone who has been at the awards tonight as to what a wonderful, creative and resourceful area Birmingham is.
"The spotlight and publicity is not something we are big on - we employ over 700 people in Birmingham yet we are probably the company you have never heard of even though worldwide we are well known in specialist circles. This award is about all the people who make what we do possible every day."
Read profiles of all our 2021 winners here
Birmingham Post editor Graeme Brown said: "For more than 30 years, Binding Site has been a stand-out member of Birmingham's healthcare and research community so it is fantastic to see its work recognised in this way.
"The scientific and healthcare world has never been in the headlines and under the spotlight as much as it has been since the start of the coronavirus pandemic last year so it's heartening to see a true leader based in our city.
"The judges were full of praise for its work and proud to award Binding Site the International Trade and Export Award and Company of the Year titles.
"A hearty congratulations must of course go to all of our finalists and winners. It's no understatement to say this has been one of the toughest years for the business world in living memory but, as lockdown restrictions are slowly eased both at home and abroad, we can see the green shoots of recovery.
"Our judging panel was bowled over by the submissions and we wish all our entrants the best of luck with their ongoing endeavours."
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The Birmingham Post Business Awards 2021, which are run in partnership with BusinessLive, celebrated achievement across 11 different categories (see the full list of winners below).
They made a welcome return after the 2020 ceremony had to be cancelled because of the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Other category winners at the ceremony included security firm 24-7 Locks which took home our Covid Defiance Award, a special one-off category to recognise a company which has shown great fortitude in the face of the pandemic.
The online ceremony was hosted by experienced TV broadcaster and weather presenter Emma Jesson.
The full list of winners and sponsors is:
New Business of the Year, sponsored by
HDY Agency
Small Business of the Year, sponsored by
Ark Media Productions
Manufacturing Business of the Year, sponsored by
AE Aerospace
Property and Construction Business of the Year, sponsored by
Court Collaboration
Professional Services Firm of the Year, sponsored by
Gateley
International Trade and Export Award, sponsored by Birmingham Post
Binding Site
Third Sector Organisation of the Year, sponsored by
Forward Carers CIC
CSR Project of the Year, sponsored by
Edgbaston Stadium
Young Businessperson of the Year, sponsored by BusinessLive
Phil Davis, 3D Facilities Support
Covid Defiance Award, sponsored by
24-7 Locks
Company of the Year, sponsored by
Binding Site
Please keep a check on for updates on all our forthcoming awards including the which is still open for entries