Made in Sheffield Award

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Quality mark: AESSEAL CEO Jonathan Wilkinson receives the Made in Sheffield Award from Master Cutler Pam Liversidge, OBE, watched by Richard May, of sponsor DLA Piper. Photo courtesy of Yorkshire Business Insider

AESSEAL® took the main prize at this year’s Made in Sheffield Awards, the Made in Sheffield trophy itself, the most prestigious business award for the City Region, covering South Yorkshire and beyond.

AESSEAL® was presented with the award, sponsored by global law firm DLA Piper, in front of more than 300 of the region's biggest and best manufacturers at the Cutlers’ Hall in the city.

Compere Justin Webb, of BBC Radio 4, said those present were among the businesses that could propel the region "towards economic recovery through their hard work, innovation and focus on international trade".

The event was addressed by Dr Karl Kohler, chief executive and managing director of Tata Steel Europe – which has steelmaking operations in Rotherham and Sheffield – and Richard Caborn, former Labour MP for Sheffield Central and Government Minister. Both urged support for, and investment in, manufacturing.

The judges were full of praise for AESSEAL. They highlighted in particular its phenomenal and consistent growth and firm commitment to the Sheffield City Region. They also highlighted its customer service and innovation and how it encourages people development at all levels of the organisation. In summary, they said it was "everything that makes a good company a great company".

AESSEAL® managing director Chris Rea, OBE, said: “Made in Sheffield is a fantastic and globally-recognised brand. AESSEAL is a local business that sells globally and our association as the overall winner with the Made in Sheffield brand will undoubtedly help drive our business performance.”

The company is a keen supporter of encouraging more apprentices into industry, and the ceremony and dinner raised money for the Work Wise programme, an initiative aimed at doing that.