All of the winners at the South Wales Chamber of Commerce Awards 2014
A Caerphilly-based energy saving solutions company has taken the top prize at the South Wales Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2014, run in association with the University of South Wales.
The SERS Energy Solutions Group, which also picked up first prize for the Most Promising Growth Business, was picked from the winners of 10 categories, to be crowned Welsh Company of the Year at a ceremony held at The Vale Resort on Thursday (27 February).
Established in 1990 as a specialist external wall insulations contractor, SERS Energy Solutions has diversified to offer design, supply and installation of complete energy saving solutions. Since 2010, the company has experienced extraordinary growth, quadrupling both its turnover to over £29 million and its workforce to more than 170 people by the end of 2013, including 24 full time apprentices.
During 2013, the company also moved to larger headquarters in Caerphilly, resulting in the development of a talent management programme. The 20 bay academy with classroom facilities provides accredited courses run in association with local college, Coleg y Comoedd, designed at providing opportunities for existing employees to develop as well as offering courses to those wishing to improve their skills and gain employment.
On picking up the award, Amy Skerratt, marketing manager at SERS Energy Solutions, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have not only won the Most Promising Growth Business Award but to have also been chosen as the Welsh Company of the Year at the South Wales Chamber of Commerce Awards.
“2013 was again a successful year for SERS and we are looking to continue to grow all services in the energy efficiency marketplace and expand into new sectors, including the rental market and self-builders, during 2014.
“We pride ourselves on excellent customer service delivered by our dedicated workforce and hope that this award is the start of continued success.”
SERS Energy Solutions was named as a winner with 10 other companies from across Wales in categories which included: Business Start-up, Environmental Impact, Community Contribution, International Business, Technology Application, Tourism Achievement and Skills & People Development.
Graham Morgan, director of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “All of the winners, including SERS Energy Solutions, have performed excellently over the last year in what has been an improving, but still difficult period, for businesses. The standard of entries was, again, extremely high this year, so businesses walking away with an award should be very proud of their success.
“They have all demonstrated that it is still possible to achieve excellence in business despite the challenges of recent years, and their example should help to further strengthen returning confidence in the marketplace in Wales.
“I would like to thank the Faculty of Business and Society at the University of South Wales for supporting this event for another year and everyone who has worked hard to make these awards possible.”
Now in their twelfth year, the South Wales Chamber of Commerce Business Awards reflect the efforts of businesses and individuals throughout the whole of 2013.
The awards were presented by former Olympic skier turned TV presenter, adventurer and journalist, Graham Bell.
Professor Janine Griffiths-Baker, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Society at the University of South Wales, said: “The Faculty of Business and Society at the University of South Wales congratulates all the winners of this year’s awards. We are proud to sponsor the South Wales Chamber of Commerce Welsh Business Awards, not least because the awards have again delivered a high calibre of winners from a wide range of companies across the categories. As ever, the large number of outstanding firms in the running made the process of judging difficult. The businesses winning the awards therefore highlight the continuing excellent activity taking place across Wales right now.”
All winners will now be encouraged to submit entries to the British Chamber of Commerce Awards in spring this year. Welsh businesses have traditionally performed well against UK-wide competition and a number have successfully secured a share of the prize money which has been as much as £50,000. In 2012, research by Paul Jones from the University of South Wales showed that having the Chamber brand alongside a business creates additional opportunities for that business.
