The chancellor described the project, which measured performance from 1997 to 2001 and is run by the New Economics Foundation, as the “inner city Oscars”.
Phoenix, which started business in 1991, employs 32 staff and grew its turnover from £440,774 to £1.28m over the four years.
Managing director Graham Masters said the award was “not only a fillip for us but for the printing industry as a whole”, while production director Nigel Moore said it was a result of “giving a good service, and not knowing the meaning of the word ‘no’”.
Phoenix was also commended for PrintWeek’s Finishing Company of the Year award in 2001, and plans to move to new purpose-built premises to cope with its growth.
B Print & Display was struggling for survival when it was bought by managing director William Skelchy in 1998, but in the four years to 2001 turnover grew from £301,856 to £1.52m and the firm moved twice, investing over £1m.
The screen, digital and litho printer counts Alldays, Halifax and Marks & Spencer among its clients, and now employs over 30 staff.
Skelchy said the award was a “huge accolade”. “Many companies grow very quickly then fall apart but we have a good, sound foundation,” he added. “We don’t go out and buy equipment then find customers.”
Story by Gordon Carson
Picture: Masters - fillip for industry
