Shortlist for the 2012 excellence awards unveiled

The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony in Leeds on November 1 with Business Secretary Vince Cable and Master of Ceremonies Alistair McGowan.

Peter Charlton, Editor of the Yorkshire Post, said: “Five years on since the start of the credit crunch, we continue to be inspired by the ingenuity, imagination and inventiveness of Yorkshire companies.

“Yorkshire-based companies of all shapes and sizes are finding success as they develop new products and services, grow revenues and enter new markets.

“All the companies that made the shortlist can be held up as genuine examples of excellence in business. To those that did not make it, best of luck next year.”

Exporter of the Year, sponsored by thebigword: Elmwood Design, Produmax, Surgical Innovations

Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Drax: Harrison Spinks, Q8 Oils, Stockton Drilling

Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by O2: Nick Howard, Oliver North, Andrew Seaton

SME Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by KeyedIn Solutions: Cutting Technologies, Exquisite Handmade Cakes, Northern Paper Board

Business Community Award, sponsored by QBE Insurance: BAM Construction, KC, NG Bailey

Outstanding Employer of the Year, sponsored by Bradford University School of Management: Elmwood Design, Gordons, Plusnet

Young Business of the Year, sponsored by Goldman Sachs: AS Fabrications, Derwent FM, G3 Remarketing

Companies with a turnover under £10m, sponsored by Yorkshire Bank: Get Savvy Marketing, Premier Technical Services Group, Surgical Innovations

Companies with a turnover between £10m and £50m, sponsored by PwC: Boost Drinks, Gordons, Hewlett Civil Engineering

Companies with a turnover of more than £50m, sponsored by DLA Piper: Allied Glass, Endless, Zenith.

The winner of the individual award will be announced on the evening. Tickets can be bought from the Editor’s Secretary by emailing [email protected] or calling 0113 238 8432.