2006
(12/07/2006) Coveted AXA North East 'Business Oscar' awarded to Martek Marine Ltd of Rotherham
AXA today announced that Martek Marine Ltd, Rotherham ( www.martek-marine.com ) has won the title of North East AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of safety and environmental monitoring equipment to the global marine industry.
As a regional winner, Martek Marine will not only receive a day's support from an AXA Business Consultant but will also go forward to the National Business Awards grand final at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on 7 November.
The AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award will recognise businesses for their entrepreneurship and innovation and will seek to highlight the importance of management excellence in maintaining a successful business today and continuing to grow it in the future.
In addition to winning a day with an AXA Business Consultant, if Martek Marine is successful in the national grand final they will win a place on the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business Masterclass that takes place at a chateau in France . Over the three-day course the delegates will have their management and business skills finely tuned by some of AXA's leading business experts.
Douglas Barnett, the AXA North East Regional Judge, said:
"I am delighted that Martek Marine have managed to beat off stiff competition to be crowned regional winner this year. A large number of businesses in the region entered and we were very impressed with the quality of entries. The finalists are all outstanding examples of the North East's most dynamic companies and we wish them all the best of luck in their development. We chose Martek Marine as it is a vibrant company which has successfully identified a niche global market. Whilst helping to increase efficiency for marine operators, their products also contribute to environmental protection."
The other shortlisted businesses battling to win the title of the North East AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year were:
- Paragon Rapid Technologies Ltd, Darlington ( www.paragon-rt.com ) - Producers of high quality prototype models to support designers and manufacturers.
- Aquajoy Bathlifts Ltd, Consett ( www.aqua-joy.com ) - Specialists in bathlift provision in the UK.
- National Locums, Hull ( www.nationallocums.com ) - Recruiters of temporary healthcare personnel to the NHS and private sectors.
Highly Commended businesses in the region's AXA Small to Medium Businesses of the Year Awards were:
- Nunwood, Leeds
- Applied Language Solutions, Huddersfield
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AXA is a world leader in financial protection. AXA's operations are diverse with major operations in Western Europe, North America and the Asia/Pacific area. AXA employs 120,000 staff and tied agents and, as of 31 December 2005, had € 1,064 billion in assets under management. AXA reported total IFRS revenues of € 72 billion and IFRS underlying earnings of € 3,258 million for the full year 2005. Our previous company performance is not a guide to how we may perform in the future.
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