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INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR: Re-branding invigorates company performance
AN innovative approach gave a wire product manufacturer the boost it needed to revive itself.
Vanguard, of Raglan Street, Halifax, scooped this year's Innovator of the Year award.
The judges were impressed with how the company used the true essence of innovation by completely re-directing itself.
Vanguard began life 80 years ago as Dixons, producing wire products for local butchers and then later construction-related products
After the company merged with wire worker and fabricator Mallinson & Co, Dixons began to serve the automotive sector.
For 15 years it supplied the likes of Nissan and Jaguar with a range of wire-related seating products.
But the company changed direction when turnover dramatically dropped by more than a half over the last three years.
Vanguard secured a contract to supply retail display and storage equipment and adapted its own machinery to produce them.
Over the last 18 months it has focused on re-branding itself as a solutions provider.
Its contracts have included making stands and display baskets for major retail companies as well as new seating components for cars and creating new specialist niche products.
The company has achieved success through its has been put down to its ability to adapt and spring back into action in the face of crippling conditions. It guaranteed its future by moving into new market sectors and investing in new machinery.
Managing director Paul Howcroft said: "We had to re-brand ourselves and without the team behind us we could not have done it."
And he praised the creative talent and innovation demonstrated by companies across Calderdale.
Also short-listed for the award were Ink Creations, of the Elsie Whiteley Centre, and Hebden Bridge-based Rands English Language Tuition.
Ink Creations impressed judges for its success achieved as a web design specialist.
And owner of Rands, Sasha Goldsmith, proved she found a gap in the English language market for students who are migrant workers living in the area and also international students wanting to attend an English University.
The award was sponsored by Marshalls.
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