Entries have already started coming in for the Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards.

Here is one of the contenders...

Moolands started trading in 2011 under the name Renewable Energy Control, supplying and installing solar panels to domestic and commercial markets.

Between its incorporation and March 2012, REC was busy and reached a good turnover.

Unfortunately, with a shift in available grants and decrease in the Feed in Tariff, the company had to quickly diversify and reassess what it offered, powering through the lowest point of the recession.

It was at this point, albeit nearly a year sooner than expected, director Tyrone
Cowland expanded the business to provide facility and building management support by first making best use of the company’s electricians.

Drainage services quickly followed, along with plumbing as a service initially outsourced. These became a permanent, offering along with employing the first gas engineer, which enabled the company to advertise as Gas Safe.

Cowland
“Starting out as a renewable energy services company, we understood the importance in being an eco-friendly business and doing what we could to reduce our carbon footprint..." - Moolands director Tyrone

The company is now Kent County Council approved. May 2013 saw relocation Meopham.

The business started to grow and now employs three electricians, two gas and plumbing engineers, an electrical contracts manager and administrator, and as of March a water testing engineer to support the rapidly growing legionella assessment department.

This growth came from seeking out a more diverse client range. Clients include LFEPA, LAS, Gala Bingo, Debenhams, McDonald’s and large housing associations.

Mr Cowland said: “Starting out as a renewable energy services company, we understood the importance in being an eco-friendly business and doing what we could to reduce our carbon footprint.

“All of our business stationery is printed on recycled paper and even this has been reduced to a minimum.

"We have specific recycle bins and work with a company who can collect it from us.

“All vans are limited to 70mph to reduce CO2 emissions and all vehicles are tracked to help our office staff determine which vehicles are nearest to the various jobs to limit CO2 emissions and reduce travelling.

"We go to great expense to ensure customers are aware of our responsibilities and have registered with the Environment Agency and are currently undergoing the process towards an ISO14001.”

The Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards are supported by the Messenger. Each entrant gets a free profile in this newspaper and online.

Award sponsors are: Dartford council, Gravesham council, Barnes Roffe, Kent Business School (University of Kent), KM Media Group (Dartford Messenger and Gravesend Messenger), Lloyds Bank, Thomson Snell and Passmore, and the University of Greenwich.

Entrants must have their main place of business in the Dartford or Gravesham council areas and have been trading for at least a year on the date of entry.

Entry deadline: July 31, 2014.

Visit www.dgbawards.co.uk for an entry form.