Tue 2nd March 10
Evans Concrete Chairman Wins Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Garry McBride, chairman of Alfreton-based bespoke precast concrete specialist, Evans Concrete, is celebrating after winning the Entrepreneur of the Year category in the Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce Awards.
The event took place at the Roundhouse in Derby and was organised by Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce and the Derby Telegraph. It was compared by local TV presenter Kay Alexander, with double-Commonwealth gold medal winning swimmer Ross Davenport from Belper the guest of honour.
Garry has led the development of Evans Concrete since acquiring the company in 1998. Over the years he has forged excellent business relationships with long standing customers, helping to secure high levels of repeat business, and has also succeeded in attracting many new customers.
In the last 12 months specifically Garry has acquired, on behalf of the company, a new 11.5 acre site and manufacturing facility at Pye Bridge near Alfreton. Combined with its other site at Peasehill Road in Ripley, Evans now has 15 acres of production and storage facilities.
The company has also won a string of new contracts and successfully completed a number of prestigious projects for clients. In addition, through a combination of developing staff, building on their strengths, adapting their techniques and skills to changing needs and continually assessing and reassessing staff capability, the company has built up a strong workforce.
The net result is that Evans has maintained turnover whilst increasing profitability by 100% and staff numbers by 25%, becoming a local manufacturing success story.
Garry has also been instrumental in gaining public and industry recognition for a number of their projects, particularly Evan’s award winning Dream Sculpture in St Helens, appearing on Channel 4’s Big Arts programme talking about this important Public Art project. He has also been on BBC East Midlands Today speaking about the company’s work on the Olympics.
“I am absolutely delighted to have won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award – it means a great deal to me,” said Garry. “I was born in Derbyshire, was educated here and still live and work in the county so it is very personal to me. I am also extremely passionate about what I do and about the business. I am very proud to be chairman of Evans Concrete and appreciate all the support I get from every member of staff, all of whom have helped to make us what we are today.”
Take a look at the award winners on: http://www.businessawards.org.uk/
