A TRAIL-BLAZING fire protection firm celebrated its 10th birthday by lighting up the county’s glittering business night of the year.

Hallmark Fire of Rochester was named Kent Company of the Year for firms with fewer than 100 employees at the 12th annual Kent Business Awards.

The Medway company was one of a dozen leading enterprises that walked away with a handsome silver trophy at a gala dinner in the Saga Pavilion, Sandgate.

More than 400 business leaders and their guests applauded as operations director Sean Ashton and business development director Stephen Thomas collected the award, hand-crafted by Deal silversmith Paul Harrison, from Rebecca Casson of Kent County Council, the award sponsor.

They said they were overwhelmed by the verdict, and celebrated by taking staff and their families on a weekend away.

"We really have been celebrating large," said Mr Ashton.

"One of the main benefits of this award is what it means for our staff. It’s brilliant for staff morale to know that they are working for a company which is really moving and going places.

"It really is recognition for everyone who works to make the company what it is. It reinforces everything we are working for."

He added that the ambitious company would be opening a Midlands office next year and a South West outlet in 2007 as part of a strategy of developing as a nationwide business.

Talon Manufacturing of Gillingham, made it a double triumph for Medway by scooping the Small Business Award.

Managing director Michael Dudney was delighted. His company recently won the top Medway Small Business Award.

He said: "This award proves that manufacturing is not yet dead in Britain.

"The UK has to compete with the cheap alternatives in the Far East, but we are also seeing a realisation on the part of customers that a product made thousands of miles away may save money initially but there are inherent logistics issues to overcome."

Leading Edge Labels and Packaging of Gravesend lived up to its name by posting a rare double – Kent Company of the Year with more than 100 staff and winner of the Innovation and Growth Award.

Managing director Ian Barwick accepted the award from KCC’s Bryan Raine.

He said: "At Leading Edge it really is a team effort. 'The seven original members of staff who started the business are here to celebrate the award tonight.

"We have gone from a business which started only eight years ago to turnover of £20 million this year. 'Hopefully you will see us up there next year as a £40 million company."

Adept Telecom, a hi-tech communications firm from Tunbridge Wells, was another double-winner, scooping the Best New Business Award and the Customer Service Award.

Roger Wilson, chairman, said: "For a company not quite two years old, this is a brilliant result. 'Adept’s success is down to a simple idea being brilliantly executed.

"Next year we want to be up there as Company of the Year."

Other awards went to Guy Whitehead, chief executive Armourcoat Surface Finishes, Sevenoaks (Kent Businessman of the Year); Xmo Strata, sign installers in Maidstone (Excellence in Training and Development); East Kent Cyrenians, Canterbury (Voluntary Sector Award); Cabot Financial, debt management firm at Kings Hill, West Malling (Technology Award); Rainbow International, Minster (Success through Investors in People); and SureStart Sheerness (Social Care Award).