Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce unveiled its shortlist of finalists yesterday for the Northern Star Business Awards 2009.
In a record year for nominations, 42 entrants have made it through to the final stages.
Winners in all 14 categories will be announced at an award ceremony and dinner in the Press and Journal Arena at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, on September 24.
Some of the businesses who just missed out on being named on the shortlist have received judge’s commendations.
Principal sponsor of this year’s awards, for which the P&J is media partner, is the Robert Gordon University’s Aberdeen Business School.
The supporting sponsors are Aberdeen Harbour Board and Petro-Canada.
It is the sixth event in the annual series hailing the successes of local firms.
Finalists this year cover a broad spectrum of business, from a dental surgery to a global energy and shipping services company.
AGCC chief executive Bob Collier said: “The Northern Star Business Awards are all about recognising and celebrating business achievements across all sectors, so we’re really delighted that the nominations we have received have exceeded all previous years.
“It is a real testimony to the ongoing buoyancy and sustainability of the north-east business community. This has been seen as a challenging year for business and the fact that many firms have continued to flourish, grow and enjoy success has sometimes been overlooked.
“This is an opportunity to showcase some of the best that the region has to offer.”
ACE Winches, based at Montbletton, near Banff, has been shortlisted in four categories in the 2009 awards.
Space-planning company ASM and Iicorr, which specialises in integrity, inspection and corrosion, are finalists in two.
Newcomers to the awards include JAMStudio – an architectural business at Fetternear, by Inverurie – and the Breadmaker, a bakery and coffee house in Aberdeen.
The main business award has this year been split into three categories – small, medium and large – to better reflect the composition of AGCC membership.
A sustainability award has also been reintroduced to support the growing number of companies which include environment-friendly practices in their business plans.
Finalists
Large business award – sponsored by North East Reprographics (NER): Accenture; Bibby Offshore; Craig Group.
Medium business award – sponsored by NER: Champion Technologies; Iicorr; Munro’s Travel Group.
Small business awards – sponsored by NER: ASM; Fergus and Glover; Lewis.
Best use of information communications technology: Aker Solutions; Converged Communications; SCR Solutions. Commended: Arrowdawn; Indigo.
Customer service: BAA Aberdeen; Iicorr; Prestige Scotland.
Internationalisation – sponsored by Offshore Employment Services: ACE Winches; Dominion Gas; LA Recruitment.
People development – sponsored by Aberdeenshire Council: ACE Winches; Aramark; Technip.
Renewable-energy: Active; SeaEnergy; Subocean Group. Commended: Puffin Pellets.
Research and development – sponsored by ITI Energy: Aker Solutions (subsea web); Flexlife; Read Well Services.
Rising Star – sponsored by AGR Petroleum: Craig Reid, Bibby Offshore; James Gregg, ACE Winches; Keith Drummond, Aker Qserv.
Socially responsible: ACE Winches; JAMStudio; Northsound Radio. Commended: ASM.
Sustainability: FIS Chemicals; Green Ocean Energy; The Breadmaker.
Woman of the year: Amanda McCulloch, of Thorpe Molloy; Tracey Devine, of Angels; Tracie Watson, of Cresent.
Student placement award – sponsored by Aberdeen Business School: AMEC, nominated by Nikki Wright; ITI Energy, nominated by Lori Manson; NHS Grampian, nominated by Debbie Humble.