One of Newton Aycliffe’s best-known businesses is once again supporting the Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards by becoming a category sponsor.
Husqvarna UK is sponsoring the Service Business of the Year category for the awards event being held at Hardwick Hall Hotel on May 9.
The manufacturer joins Gestamp, Ebac, Stiller Warehousing and Distribution, Business Durham, GEM Partnership and Recruitrite as category sponsors so far.
Husqvarna’s manufacturing director Caraline Robinson, who started out as an apprentice at the Aycliffe site, said: “It is so important that we take time out to celebrate the achievements of our local businesses, that is why this year Husqvarna UK have decided to sponsor the Service Business of the Year category.
“By getting involved in the awards, it really helps to showcase the business diversity that we have here in Aycliffe, and the varied business opportunities that there are for people.
“Retaining talent in the area is so important for the future growth of the business park.
“I am really looking forward to seeing this year’s entries.”
Husqvarna – Who were headline sponsors of the Make Your Mark Awards when they were last held two years ago – manufactures robotic lawnmowers at the Aycliffe site, and the UK sales team sell a broad range of garden and forest equipment, including chainsaws, tractors and lawnmowers, including the new CEORA robotic range, launched two years ago.
Around 500 permanent staff, and around 450 temporary seasonal workers, are employed at Husqvarna’s vast Preston Road site, which has produced more than 3 million robotic lawnmowers since 2005.
Aycliffe Business Park Community (ABPC) board member Thomas Prentice, pictured with Caraline, said: “We’re delighted to have such an iconic name and one of the business park’s largest employers supporting the Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards this year.
“It’s fantastic to see Husqvarna UK recognising the importance of the awards and supporting them as category sponsors.”
A small number of categories are available for sponsorship, including Company of the Year (Headline sponsor), Innovation Award, Newcomer of the Year, Lifetime Achievement and Apprentice of the Year.
Businesses interested in the last remaining sponsorship packages can contact Martin Walker on 01642 450255 or email [email protected].
• The entry/nomination deadline for the Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards is 5pm today (Tuesday, February 27). Entry forms and criteria is available at aycliffebusinesspark/awards.