Last year’s main Ely Standard Business Awards winner Steve Crook and his company Ellgia Recycling are following their success in 2015 by sponsoring the Medium Business of the Year award.

Mr Crook told of his surprise and delight at the firm’s success when he was a key note speaker at the recent networking event to promote the Ely Business Awards 2015 held at The Maltings.

The event was hosted by the Ely Standard to promote entries to this year’s awards which culminate in a sumptuous gala dinner and prize giving at Ely Cathedral.

Mr Crook, managing director of Ellgia Recycling, said his decision to enter the 2015 Ely Standard Business Awards, was to allow his firm’s success to be compared to other businesses locally,

He told guests that entering the awards was a great opportunity to market Ellgia and he would have been happy to win one award but was delighted to have picked up three individual awards plus overall Business of the Year winner.

He said participating in the awards had helped at many levels not only with the coverage in the Ely Standard – and all its other social media and on line platforms and “when staff heard of our success they were all walking three inches taller”.

Now he is hoping other firms will enjoy similar success by entering the awards in 2016 and he is more than happy to be a sponsor of the area’s most prestigious business awards, which are FREE to enter.

Headquartered in Ely, Ellgia Recycling provides waste management solutions for businesses in the East of England and, more recently, across Lincolnshire, Humberside, and East Yorkshire.

At the heart of Ellgia’s success is the development of bespoke solutions that meet the needs of each of its customers, whether they are a very small business or a large enterprise with operations in the East of England. This business model has seen significant growth in turnover in the three years since launch.

Last year, Ellgia scooped four Ely Business Awards, including the coveted Business of the Year, Medium Business of the Year, Customer Service of the Year and Mr Crook was named Business Person of the Year 2015.

Ellgia Group believes in thinking for tomorrow to improve recycling volumes and implements the most suitable containers and equipment to handle its customers’ waste effectively while saving them money.

Mr Crook said: “It’s been an incredible few years for us since we first started operations and our growth reflects the increasing need for smart waste management solutions. Each business has different requirements and we work with everyone from hospitals and major event venues to printers and manufacturers, creating bespoke solutions that are efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. We have a raft of new solutions in development and are looking forward to further improving the environmental credentials of businesses across the East of England and beyond in the coming months and years.”

For further information please visit www.ellgiarecycling.co.uk

Judging Ellgia as winners of the Medium Business Award the judges said: “Ellgia have gone from a two person start to over 125 people in three years. The main business has not only grown very strongly but has also introduced some magical new features to waste collection and recycling, it not only gives clients detailed information on their waste output but actively works with them to reduce it.

“This may reduce Ellgia’s income in the short term, but has a hugely beneficial effect on client loyalty and relations. This is a model of how to grow a business and Ellgia Recycling is a very clear winner.”

The Medium Business Award category is open to any business operating within East Cambridgeshire employing 11-250 full time direct employees NOT including casual staff.

Entry Criteria is as follows:

• Outline of business – How has the business performed against budgets and plans?

• Is the business profitable? Account evidence required.

• How has it successfully adapted to changing markets?

• How does it fit into its marketplace?

• What are the plans for development?