Smith & Williamson Growth Business of the Year Award

Yet many companies are defiantly expanding against all odds.

It’s these businesses and organisations that will be recognised in the Growth Business of the Year Award.

For a third year running the accolade is sponsored by accountancy and financial services group Smith & Williamson.

Andrew Edmonds, a judge for Smith & Williamson Growth Business of the Year Award, said: “This is the best group of applicants we have ever had in terms of quality and the massive range from the smallest businesses to the very largest.

“There were a number that stood out, particularly in our category, because growth is not widespread so to see impressive growth figures is great.

“We have been looking for a demonstrable medium term sustainable growth, not just one spectacular year but evidence of sustainable growth – as well as for the story behind it.”

BENHAM Manufacturing, based at Rushington Business Park, Totton, has a core business activity involving the assembly and machining of complex components primarily for the aerospace, defence and oil and gas sectors.

It attributes its sustained development and growth as an organisation to its commitment to investment in plant, people and facilities as well as its ability to innovate engineering solutions fully utilising the capability of its machine tools and people.

But it also values the philosophy of being a customer-focused organisation, striving to build long-term strategic partnerships, creating value for both parties It envisages this approach will continue to deliver success.

AS THE largest commercial printer in the south of England, Bishops Printers, based in Portsmouth, have established a reputation for quality, reliability and value for money.

Its impressive print room operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and the company boasts it can accommodate the most challenging of projects.

It has used its high-calibre printing equipment available to ensure superb results every time which leads to growth.

For customers requiring end-to-end solutions, it offers graphic design and direct mail fulfilment through its wholly-owned additional services.

It is both FSC and PEFC certified, emphasising its excellent green credentials.

Environmentally-friendly processes are certainly always high on the agenda at Bishops.

CHURCHILL Retirement Living, based in Ringwood, is an award-winning, privately-owned and family-run British company which specialises in developing attractive, purpose-built one- and two-bedroom apartments for the active retired age group.

Recent successes include Most Outstanding Retirement Operator, Best Medium Housebuilder, and a Sunday Times Top 100 position for Best Company To Work For.

With a clear focus on customer service, Churchill Retirement Living’s primary objective is to become the market- leading retirement housebuilder, earning its title not necessarily as the largest provider, but the best.

It is a company that strives to be recognised for quality of lifestyle offered, customer service and product.

BASED in Alton, Hampshire, Compsoft is the UK’s premier developer of mobile and tablet apps.

The firm has been specialising in mobiles since 2009, and has delivered well over 100 apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows 8, and Blackberry.

Compsoft has created bespoke apps for some of the world’s top companies, including Hotels.com, Symantec, Nissan and Npower.

It also invests heavily in research and development projects such as iPresent, now a global leader in the tablet-based sales presentation space.

The company grew by over 100 per cent between 2009 and 2012, and in January 2013 opened its first US office in Silicon Valley, California.