The borough's brightest entrepreneurs were recognised at the inaugural Hounslow Business Awards last night (Thursday, October 10).
My Plumber Limited, based in Sutton Court Road, Chiswick, was named business of the year in a lavish ceremony at Brentford's Holiday Inn.
The awards, hosted by LBC radio presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer and sponsored by Barclays, also honoured firms in seven other categories ranging from greenest firm to the best for apprenticeships.
The Hounslow Chronicle sponsored the commitment to the community award, won by out&about Magazine, a free bi-monthly lifestyle magazine.
There were 80 entries for the awards, run by Prospects Business Support in conjunction with Hounslow Chamber of Commerce, with 26 firms shortlisted.
Hounslow mayor Sachin Gupta said he was thrilled to be there to celebrate enterprise in the borough, which is home to more than 12,000 firms and is in the top three London boroughs for business growth.
The full list of winners was:
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
My Plumber Limited
Founded in 2005 with a crew of motorcycling plumbers ready to tackle emergencies, this Chiswick-based firm has grown to take on large plumbing jobs as well as electrical and maintenance work
BEST SME BUSINESS
Russell Finex
Established in 1934, this manufacturing firm now employs more than 200 people, has supplied equipment for use in more than 140 countries and boasts annual sales of more than £17 million.
BEST FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE
My Plumber Limited
see above
BEST FOR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
Brompton Bicycle Limited
From its humble beginnings under a railway arch in Brentford, this multi-award-winning folding bike designer and manufacturer now makes about 40,000 bikes a year.
COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY
out&about Magazine
A free bi-monthly community lifestyle magazine, distributed around Isleworth, Brentford and Chiswick, with the aim of helping build the community and supporting local businesses.
BEST NEW BUSINESS
Just Say Hi Ltd
A new social networking site based in Feltham with a mission to help people make new friends both on and offline.
BEST FOR APPRENTICESHIPS AND EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Cultivate London
This social enterprise, which transforms derelict and vacant land across the capital into flourishing farmland, is growing almost as quickly as the crops it produces.
As well as increasing the amount of locally grown food consumed by Londoners, it provides much-needed training and job opportunities in to unemployed youths.
BEST GREEN BUSINESS
Urban Planters London West
Formed in 1999 and based in Hounslow West, this company now supplies more than 200 firms across west and central London, from small businesses to the likes of BP and 20th Century Fox, with floral decorations to brighten up their offices.
