Member Article

Hat-trick as Steeton company wins regional awards

A leading local manufacturer has enjoyed a hat-trick after picking up three regional accolades at this year’s prestigious Engineering Employers Federation Future Manufacturing Awards.

Acorn Stairlifts, a Steeton-based stairlift manufacturer and installer, which employs over 1,400 staff worldwide, won the Business Growth Award, the Outstanding Export Award and was named as runner-up in the Smart Product category.

The Business Growth Award, sponsored by DHL Global Forwarding celebrates the achievements of manufacturers that have achieved dynamic business growth through actively managed and consistently delivered growth strategies. Acorn’s turnover in North America has trebled from £19.5m to £58.6m in the past four years. During this time, Acorn’s worldwide exports have more than doubled from £35.7m to almost £80m. Every nine minutes, an Acorn stairlift is installed somewhere in the world.

It was also named the winner of the Outstanding Export Award. This award was given in recognition of its achievements, exporting into more than 80 different countries. It has invested heavily in overseas markets by setting up its own subsidiaries in the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The company’s turnover in North America is now higher than in the UK and it is the market leader for stairlifts in the US.

The company also scooped up a silver medal in the Smart Product Award sponsored by Siemens, with its FastTrack system which allows the company to install a stairlift on a non-standard curved staircase faster than any of its competitors.

The company picked up its awards after being selected by a panel of judges drawn from business leaders, industry experts and academics. Its success is even more impressive as it was up against stiff competition from a range of successful businesses, small and large, from across the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside region.

With the two regional titles under its belt, Acorn Stairlifts will now go on to compete for national titles at an awards gala dinner in London in January next year.

Dave Belmont, Company Secretary at Acorn Stairlifts, says: “Our success in winning these awards is down to our team’s hard work and dedication. We are delighted to have won and been recognised in this way. Not only does it demonstrate the valuable contribution made by local manufacturers like ourselves, but it also puts us on the map as a modern and innovative company. This is great news for us to share with all our staff, customers and suppliers.

“It’s fantastic to get this far and now we’re all looking forward to the national finals in January to see how we measure up against other leading manufacturers from across the UK.”

Paul Cunningham, Vice President Sales and Marketing at DHL Global Forwarding, says: “The quest for business growth is key to the economic success of local communities and the UK as a whole - and manufacturers are leading the way. These awards are justly deserved and Acorn Stairlifts should be applauded for their efforts. We wish them the best of luck for the national finals.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Approach PR .