This year’s Powys Business Awards finalists have been announced by the organisers who have praised the “exceptional calibre” of entrants.

A dozen category awards, together with the overall Powys Business of the Year and Judges Award, will be presented at a ceremony held at Dering Lines, Brecon on October 4. 

Organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG), the awards showcase the diverse range of successful enterprises within Powys.

The new Business in the Community Award was particularly popular. Sponsored by Radnor Hills, last year’s overall Powys Business of the Year, the award recognises businesses that put something back into their local communities.

Layla Bennett from Hawksdrift, Cwmbach, who won the Young Entrepreneur Award at the first Powys Business Awards in 2009, returns as a finalist in the Micro Business Award (less than 10 employees), sponsored by The County Times.

First time entrants Greenhouse Café & Kitchen, Garthmyl and Stashed Products Ltd, Abermule are finalists in three categories each, while Heartwood Saunas, Machynlleth, Espanaro Ltd, Newtown; Reeco Automation Ltd, Newtown; Charcroft, Llanwrtyd Wells and Hilltop, Newtown are finalists in two categories each.

“We are thrilled with the exceptional calibre of entrants from across the county for this year’s Powys Business Awards,” said Ceri Stephens, MWMG’s group manager.

“Each submission showcases the remarkable talent, innovation and dedication within our community. 

“We are proud to celebrate these outstanding achievements and look forward to honouring the best businesses in Powys. The judges will have an incredibly difficult task ahead of them as they travel the breadth of the county interviewing the finalists, culminating on the awards evening in Brecon.”

From the category winners, the Powys Business of the Year, sponsored by Powys County Council, will be chosen. The judging panel can also present a discretionary Judges Award to recognise an outstanding achievement or person who has come to the judges’ attention during their visits.  

The finalists are: Business in the Community Award, sponsored by Radnor Hills: Hilltop, Newtown; Morland, Welshpool; Charcroft, Llanwrtyd Wells and Woosnam and Davies, Llanidloes. Start-up Business Award, sponsored by EvaBuild: Abermule Inn, Abermule; Greenhouse Café & Kitchen and Stashed Products Ltd. Technology & Innovation Award, sponsored by Aberystwyth University: Espanaro Ltd, Reeco Automation Ltd and Atherton Bikes, Machynlleth.

People Development Award, sponsored by NPTC Group of Colleges: Hilltop, Newmor Wallcoverings, Welshpool and EOM Electrical Contractors Ltd, Newtown. Growth Award, sponsored by WR Partners: Meadow Springs Country & Leisure Park, Trefeglwys; Beacon Foods Ltd, Brecon and Charcroft. Entrepreneurship Award, sponsored by CellPath: Charlotte Williams, Squeaky Clean, Machynlleth; Lewis King, Greenhouse Café & Kitchen and Elliot Tanner, Stashed Products.

Sole Trader Award, sponsored by MWMG: Seren Handmade, Bwlch-y-ffridd, Newtown; Belan Bluebell Woods, Llanidloes and SkincareBOOtique, Welshpool.

Micro Business Award (less than 10 employees) sponsored by The County Times: Rural Foodies Limited - home of Coco Pzazz, Llanidloes; Hawksdrift Limited and Lakeside Boathouse, Llandrindod Wells. Small Business Award (under 30 employees) sponsored by Welshpool Print Group: Greenhouse Cafe & Kitchen, Heartwood Saunas and Stashed Products Ltd.

Small Business Growth Award, sponsored by Cellar Drinks: Espanaro Ltd, Reeco Automation Ltd and The Clever Buggers, Llanymynech. Social Enterprise/ Charity Award, sponsored by Myrick Training Services: Newtown Food Surplus, Newtown; BB – Sustainable Tourism CIC, Brecon; East Radnorshire Care, Presteigne and Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, Newtown.Excellence in Sustainability Award, sponsored by Welsh Government: The National Showcaves Centre for Wales, Dan-yr-Ogof, Abercraf; Wipak UK Ltd, Welshpool and Heartwood Saunas.