Sponsored by Den Hartogh Logistics

The Small Business of the Year award, sponsored by Den Hartogh Logisitcs, celebrates the sector’s small medium sized company that has quite simply cracked the process sector during 2021. Our winning company must demonstrate business growth – in terms of both sales and jobs – along with product or service development and commitment to winning business in the process sector through programme participation and collaboration efforts. The winning firm must also showcase outstanding dedication to its workforce, local community and raising the profile of the sector within the region.

Winner: Solomons Europe
Beneficiary School: Breckon Hill Primary School, Middlesbrough

Quantity surveying firm, Solomons Europe, is a passionate SME. Not only do they believe in the transformational potential presented by the levelling up agenda but the ability of the North East region itself – and SMEs in particular – to make this happen.

When the coronavirus pandemic struck, Solomons were well on track to deliver an ambitious growth plan for the region. Finding strength in their history and established Northern roots, this determined SME dug deep to seek out new opportunities and ways of working and increased turnover and staffing numbers.

Solomons passionately believe SMEs are crucial to the nation’s economic growth. Their agility, flexibility and absolute focus on client satisfaction sets them apart, while their closeness to communities means they share success locally. Collaboration flows through their DNA.

In 2021, Solomons launched TeesSMEs – an alliance of 10 Teesside-based SMEs with the capability and capacity to seize new opportunities in the North East, who together have the potential to create 200 new jobs, scores of apprenticeships and deliver a range of social impact activities.

Like many professions, Quantity Surveying is facing a chronic skills shortage. Solomons response has
been to launch a Level 6, MSc Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship “plus” programme to attract graduates from the lost generation. The success of this fast-track programme has seen it quickly become a key part of their talent strategy and demonstrates commitment to investing in diversity.

Solomons have a bright future ahead and have recently opened a new workspace at Lambton Park, near Chester-Le-Street, complementing their longstanding presence in Hartlepool.

Their work is demanding and complex, so the ability to get together, share experience, fresh perspectives and
innovative ideas is crucial to their continued individual and collective success.