Winners story is under the Winners 2011 heading

Finalists announced

The judges have sifted through this year's competitive entries and agreed the following finalists should go through to the gala night finals.

They are:

Bin Masters

Blue Skies School

Bowden & Lowe

Geku Automation Ltd

Just Soe UK Style Academy Ltd

Kitchen to Table

Minimise Ltd

Oxden Floors

Rail Simulator .com

Telcare Ltd

TimeIT Group

Vokes Taxis

Awards launched

The awards judges were grilled by potential entrants at this year's launch at Medway Innovation Centre, Rochester.

Opening the proceeding, Kent Messenger's business editor Trevor Sturgess gave a potted history of the awards and encouraged those attending to apply in this its 27th year. He said their company's profile appears in Medway Messenger and on KentOnline so the exposure can only be beneficial, adding on the kudos of being a winner.

Last year's winners Fountain Workshop and Bedfont Scientific offered hints on entering and said that they had started from very small beginnings reinforcing that company size does not matter.

Judges Susan Jennings and chair, Trevor Shave set out clearly what would impress them the most, to include literature, business plans, anything that could help them at the sift.

Your chance to shine

The 27th Medway Business Awards are up and running and 2011 promises to be an interesting year with companies having struggled through the recession. This is a chance for free publicity as each entrant will be profiled in the Medway Messenger.

There are a few changes with the gala evening being held at the St George's Centre, impressive by its military backdrop. The centre has just undergone an extensive revamp.

There is also a new chair of judges, Trevor Shave, senior relationship manager at Lloyds TSB. Previous chairman Tim Levey of Reeves has done some fantastic work in that role by taking these awards forward and will still be on the judging committee. This will comprise of lawyer, Susan Jennings of Furley Page, Tim Levey and Trevor Shave.

It is important for entrants to realise that company size does not matter. Be it a single proprietor or say 30 employees, all are viewed equally by the judges. It always impresses the judges to write as much as you can about your business and send leaflets, brochures, any publicity material either electronically or as hard copy when you send your application form.

Trevor Shave said: "As judges, we are always incredibly impressed by the passion, quality and diversity of the companies entering these awards. The business community remains the lifeblood of the Medway economy and it is hugely rewarding to be able to promote and celebrate the successes achieved within our local area.

"As chair of judges I do feel that in these difficult times, it is vitally important to recognise the pivotal role that business will play in driving the economic recovery. We would love to hear about your successes and achievements so please take the time to let us know all about your business by entering the Medway Business Awards."

This is all about recognising and celebrating your achievements - the very best of luck and we look forward to seeing you at the Awards presentation evening in November.'

New 2011 Sponsor

The Medway Business Awards welcomes new sponsor, The Rochester Bridge Trust. Founded in 1399 it is the only surviving independent bridge trust still serving its original purpose. The Trust owns and maintains the road and service bridges over the Medway at Rochester and has contributed to the cost of many other Medway crossings over the centuries.

The Trust's income derives from 14th and 15th century endowments and assets are carefully managed to provide funds for bridge maintenance and future replacement as well as charitable activities throughout Kent including education and the advancement of science and engineering.

Bridge Clerk Sue Threader said: "We are delighted to join the sponsors of the Medway Business Awards and, in particular, to be supporting a category award that highlights Medway's longstanding history of engineering excellence and which also recognises the importance of training and developing young people."

As well as demonstrating excellence, firms entering the award being sponsored by the Trust will need to show that they are:
• engaged in engineering, building technology or science (whether professional services, research, manufacturing or construction);
• able to demonstrate a commitment to training young (up to 26 years) or ‘new to the industry' staff in engineering or technical skills;
• able to put a £200 training grant from the Trust to good use.

The winning company will receive a special trophy created by the Trust's own team of master craftsmen.

Sue Threader added: "The Rochester Bridge Trust has a long tradition of supporting education and engineering - whether the development of our own staff from being novice apprentices through to being multi-skilled and qualified technicians, or sponsoring outside bodies.

"For example, the Trust was instrumental in setting up the Maidstone Girls Grammar School in 1887 and the Rochester Grammar School in 1888. The Trust also gave large endowments in the late 19th century to the Maidstone Grammar School and the Sir Joseph Williamson Mathematical School.

"More recently we gave £2,500,000 to the University of Kent to establish the Bridge Wardens College on the Medway Campus and £250,000 to the University of Greenwich to fund a Professorship of Bridge and Tunnel Engineering."

The Rochester Bridge Trust provides its services entirely free to the public. It receives no external funding and is regulated by the Charity Commission.

The Trust is pleased to be joining the other sponsors of the Medway Business Awards.