Special Prudhoe company wins nebusiness award

Posted by The Journal on Mar 19, 10 10:23 AM in News

A fast-growing pharmaceuticals business was last night named the Tyneside and Northumberland Company of the Year in the region's biggest and best business awards.

Prudhoe-based The Specials Laboratory took the top title in the second heat of the nebusiness awards, beating outsourcing and distribution firm Spark Response and Connect Physical Health which provides physiotherapy and complementary therapy through clinics and the NHS.

Sharon Griffiths of Prudhoe-based The Specials Laboratory

The company's success in the awards, organised by The Journal and Evening Gazette in association with Business Link, comes after the 11-year-old company was sold by its founders 15 months ago to Irish pharma giant United Drug.

The firm, which has more than 130 staff, saw sales for the year to the end of September 2009 rise to ÃÂ£16m from the previous year's ÃÂ£12.3m, which in turn were up from ÃÂ£11m in 2007.

And the business, now run by chief executive Sharon Griffiths who started as a part-time credit controller seven years ago, is looking for more than 10% annual growth as it steps up sales and moves further into the Irish and European markets.

Specials, which has more than 6,000 customers worldwide, makes unlicensed medicines for the retail pharmaceutical and hospital markets.

The company was just one of 11 which celebrated taking the top prize in their category at the black tie ceremony at the Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel in Newcastle last night.

All of the winners in this second of three sub-regional finals will go through with those from Durham & Wearside and Tees Valley to the grand regional final at Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield on April 29.

There were hundreds of entries again this year for the North East's biggest corporate awards, said Journal editor Brian Aitken, who gave last night's keynote address.

"It may still be tough for many businesses but the successes we are celebrating tonight are all the more impressive for that.

"These awards showcase the fantastic achievements of businesses of all sizes who have what it takes to shine even in the most challenging economic climate.

"The nebusiness awards for 2009 will once again prove that there are hundreds of businesses across the region doing great things, achieving impressive results and demonstrating world-class qualities."

Award-winning television producer Tom Gutteridge entertained the audience with a speech crackling with anecdotes of his long career in the UK and Los Angeles.

The former Royal Grammar School pupil produced shows including Panorama, Nationwide, Question Time and Robot Wars and currently runs Standing Stone Productions in Newcastle.

To find out more about the awards and book a table for the dinners, visit the website www.nebusinessawards.co.uk or contact Kirsty Tarn on 0191 201 6072.

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