Press Release

Chemicals Northwest host first awards

15 May 2009

The region's £10bn chemical industry celebrated its success last night with the first ever Chemicals Northwest awards.

Chemicals Northwest organised the awards dinner at the Hilton Manchester to highlight why the region is still the largest chemical producing area in the country.

North West Chemical companies have always featured strongly in national awards. And despite the wider economic problems Chemicals Northwest CEO Dr Jenny Clucas said local companies were continuing to become more sustainable, increasingly innovating, and are finding more overseas opportunities.

Chemicals Northwest are proud to be able to acknowledge and reward this in the North West, she said.

Fourteen companies were shortlisted for seven awards from dozens of entries.

Widnes-based company Pentagon Fine Chemicals scooped the inaugural Company of the Year Award for their active promotion of the chemical industry in the region. While Manchester company Hockley International was awarded the International Trade Award for successfully expanding into difficult markets and having a high percentage of turnover generated from exports.

Dr Clucas said: "It's great to be celebrating company achievements in the current economic situation and we are only able to do this because we have such a strong and diverse chemical industry in the region.

"The awards demonstrate that companies are still investing in skills, innovation and sustainable development in order to improve their businesses and that they have not dropped their corporate social responsibility activities from their agendas.

"We are especially pleased to award the work that Pentagon has done over the years both with Chemicals Northwest and for the wider industry.

"It has been a very positive evening and we look forward to building on this over the coming years.

"We realise that companies do not set out to win awards, but adopt new practices and improvements to drive their businesses forward. Internal and external recognition for this work should be acknowledged and our awards will continue to be a great way to do this.

"Last night proved manufacturing's importance to the whole of the UK."

Ed Miliband, Sectrary of State for Energy and Climate Change said those companies who are becoming more sustainable and innovative in their approach to protecting the environment must be praised.

Mr Miliband said: "Climate change is a particular challenge for the chemicals industry with its many energy-intensive processes.

"I'm delighted that these inaugural Chemical Northwest awards recognise the innovative ways in which the industry is responding to that and other challenges.

"We can all do our bit to provide practical solutions to environmental issues and contribute to low carbon products – and when we do, it is not just that we are doing what is right for the planet, but it is right for jobs and British business too."

During the ceremony a special award was presented to Steve Tynegate from Bayer CropScience to recognise the tireless work he has done with respect to skills in the chemical industry over the last decade.

Tony Bastock, group managing director Contract Chemicals and Chemicals Northwest chairman, said: "The chemical industry employs more than 50,000 people in the region and it these individuals who are developing business and promoting the chemical industry.

"We are delighted to be able to acknowledge the hard work of people like Steve and the staff at R S Clare and hope it inspires others to step up to the mark."

Chemicals Northwest is a cluster organisation which supports the region's chemical industry and has 145 members. It is a not-for-profit organisation jointly funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and industry.

Vanda Murray OBE, deputy chair of the NWDA and chair or Business Link Northwest, added: "The chemical sector contributes a staggering £10bn to the Northwest economy. This industry deserves recognition and it is great to be able to highlight the expertise that we have here in our region through the Chemicals Northwest Awards.

"I have heard tonight about how companies are being more innovative and sustainable in the current climate and I hope that these awards will not only inspire companies and their employees but also help to improve the public view of the chemical industry."