by Trevor Sturgess

On Medway's business night of the year in November, shed firm Passmores celebrated a double triumph.

Not only was the firm a century old, but it was also named Medway Business of the Year in the 25th year of the Medway Business Awards.

Delighted staff filed onto stage at Priestfield Stadium’s banqueting suite overjoyed that their hard work over the years had been recognised by judges of the Towns’ most prestigious business prize.

That night, November 20, they collected a trophy and cheque for £2,000.

Almost six months later, Passmores Portable Buildings is celebrating again – the unveiling of its first “lifestyle” marketing brochure – paid for from the firm’s prize money.

While many past winners have used the cash to fund a party, Passmores instead chose to put it to practical use.

“A promotional tool like this is like gold dust,” said managing director Stuart Slaughter. “We want to reward staff but there are better ways than a party to do it.”

He says the brochure is a valuable addition to the firm’s advertising material that might never have been produced without the £2,000. It had already brought results at a recent trade show.

The firm was so delighted with the award that it had the Medway Business Awards logo printed on the brochure.

Winning had made a big difference to the firm. “It’s an additional feather in our cap, another box ticked,” he said.

“Passmores are clearly doing something right, we’ve been around for 100 years, offering a good product at reasonable prices and now we’ve won an award. It says to people that we must be good guys.”

Mr Slaughter said it was not too hard to enter and well worth the effort.

That process alone encouraged a fresh look at the business and “blue sky thinking”. It was also useful to involve colleagues with different skills and perspectives.

Free publicity in the Medway Messenger – all last year’s entrants were featured – was also valuable, as well as online coverage.

Entering the contest would have been worthwhile even if Passmores had not won, he said. The presentation gala dinner was an exciting evening and great fun. But winning the award was special and its impact was still being felt.

“A lot of people saw the press coverage and I keep getting congratulated,” said Mr Slaughter.

Like all businesses, Passmores has had to cope with recession and the snow. But Mr Slaughter says that since the big freeze, business has been good, with both factories back to full capacity and a healthy order book.

The lighter evenings and warmer weather are good news for Passmores.

“People start venturing out for the first time and think it’s time to change their shed. We pray for warm weather. Once we get the general election out of the way, it will be back to relatively normal trading conditions for us.”

Other 2009 winners were Virtual Gym, Navigator Productions, Education Sense, HDH Security Systems, Waterman Offshore, Base Event Production.

The finalists were: Beeline Sameday; InTouch4U; Medway Safety; Norma’s Catering; Optimum Fitness and Take Care (SE).

If you would like a chance of sampling the excitement felt by Passmores, why not have a go? As Mr Slaughter says: “It’s completely painless, time well spent.” So go for it!

The awards are open to any enterprise with its main centre of operation in the local authority area of Medway. Annual turnover must be under £6.5 million. Entries must be received by July 30, 2010.

For entry form pick up today's (Friday) Medway Messenger.