Apollo enjoys gold with huge orders
Another red-hot year for fire alarm-maker Apollo, as the global giant with local roots scooped another of The News's annual accolades.
The 2008 winner of both Business of the Year and Exporter of the Year once again picked up the latter title, wowing the judging panel with the sheer bulk of its order book, as it continued to tear into overseas markets, boosting sales there by 15 per cent last year.
It also took its products to such illustrious venues as the Statue of Liberty, the world's tallest residential building, the Q1 Tower in Australia, and the United Nations headquarters.
Managing director Danny Burns said he was surprised to have scooped the award twice in a row, but that the firm had worked hard for it.
'The thing is we've been hiding ourselves under a bushel for years in the area,' he told BusinessWeek. 'We're a major employer in Havant, this is a real testament to what our people have achieved, and I just feel lucky to be MD of a company like this.'
This year's runner-up re-ceived praise from the judges for sheer grit and ambition – KMX Karts, the brainchild of serving fire-fighter Barry Smith, began as a garage project just a few years ago.
The home-designed go-kart making business has now taken off as an international retailer, exporting to 14 countries worldwide, with sights set firmly on the USA.
Director Mr Smith said: 'It's like grabbing the tiger by the tail, and it's quite good fun. I thought it'd be a nice evening, a chance to have a posh meal and wear a suit, but to see some of the companies, massive companies we were up against and to get runner-up is just amazing.'
And in with the final shot was sniper rifle manufacturer Accuracy International.
It completed a contract for the UK MoD for the supply of 582 new rifles at the end of last year, but almost half of all its sales come from overseas.
Dave Walls, one of three directors at the firm, said: 'We're honoured to receive this award.
'I think in the current climate, it's good to have this kind of function to show that some companies are actually progressing.'
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