Owben has won SME Business of the Year at the 2023 Sunderland Echo Business Excellence Awards.
Sponsored by Sunderland City Council, the Awards recognise and reward a cross section of businesses and the vital role that they play in the economic success of the North East.
The SME Business of the Year category, aimed at honouring exceptional performance by companies with a workforce of 1-249 staff, highlighted our remarkable achievements throughout the year. This included a £1 million investment in a new 22,000-square-foot facility in Sunderland, underscoring our dedication to the region and its industries, setting the stage for ambitious future expansion plans.
Simultaneously, our commitment to local job creation and STEM talent development was evident with the welcoming of four new apprentices. These apprentices represent an impressive 37% of our workforce, emphasizing the company's dedication to nurturing local talent.
In addition, our expertise and competence were underscored by the securing of a six-figure contract for Envision AESC's new gigafactory in Sunderland. This achievement stands as a testament to their significant contribution to the emerging clean energy sector and marks a pivotal milestone in the UK's national battery manufacturing capabilities.
The awards dinner took place at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland with key people from the regional business community in attendance.