Sheffield Forgemasters named in European business elite

28th November 2011

Sheffield Forgemasters has been hailed as a -lionheart of the European economy after winning a prestigious European Business Award.

Forgemasters beat off tough competition from across the continent to become the only UK company to win an award - taking the Export/Import category at the glittering awards ceremony in Barcelona for exceptional performance within this sector. The trip to Spain for the best in class ceremony followed a rigorous judging process including questioning from three judging panels of highly regarded academics, heads of state, industrialists, entrepreneurs and media commentators drawn from across the 28 member European States. Regarded as Europe's toughest business competition, the victors were selected from the shortlisted 111 Ruban d'Honneur recipients from across the continent, in a programme which engaged with more than 15,000 organisations in over 30 countries. Graham Honeyman, chief executive at Sheffield Forgemasters said: -We are honoured. This award is a real mark of distinction and is testament to the determination and passion which drives this company. -The commitment of our staff, the importance of our customers and partners, and the level of expertise and technological advances we are producing mean we are recognised as world leaders in our field. -These awards acknowledge and promote excellence, best practice and innovation in the European business community. We are showcasing the UK's success in the manufacturing sector despite an increasingly challenging, complex, global economic environment. Winners were congratulated by an audience comprising heads of state, leading industrialists and entrepreneurs from across 30 European nations. Belgium's Prime Minister and EBA judge, Yves Leterme, along with Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards hailed the 11 winners as 'lionhearts of the European economy'. Adrian Tripp said, -The winners of this year's European Business Awards have demonstrated that once again, the continent's business leaders and their work force possess courage, resilience, ingenuity and agility. John Casey, HSBC Head of Commercial Banking, Continental Europe, commented, -Many congratulations to our outstanding European Business Award winners who excelled throughout a challenging judging process to reach the finale.  These 11 businesses, representing a diverse mix of countries, sectors and sizes, are proof that there are exceptional organisations in Europe still thriving and growing, regardless of current economic fragility. Susan Haird, Deputy Chief Executive of UK Trade & Investment, -We are once again proud to be sponsoring the European Business Awards.  Not only does the awards programme recognise the huge achievements of UK exporters across Europe, but it also celebrates the success of UK- Europe Trade relations. Europe is still our leading trading partner, and I am confident that with the support of organisations like UK Trade & Investment more UK firms will maximise the opportunities that exist in this market.