Pictured: Special EFX of Stratford has been named the Rural
Family Business of the Year in the 2011 Midlands Family Business
Awards; (left to right): Martin Jinks (category sponsors
Roythornes), Melanie Osborne, Tara Osborne and Peter Osborne (all
Special EFX), Annabel Prow (The Wilson Organisation)
The tables were turned on Special EFX, the successful UK
manufacturer of prestigious trophies and awards, when it was named
Best Rural Family Business at a gala dinner for the Midlands Family
Business Awards, held at Birmingham's Town Hall on Thursday
November 17th. The company, owned and run by two generations of the
Osborne family, is located in the picturesque Warwickshire
countryside and was recognised for its dynamic design and
manufacturing business, which optimises its rural location to
benefit its loyal staff, clients and local community.
Melanie and Peter Osborne, with daughter Tara, were thrilled to
collect the award. Melanie explained: "We design and produce tens
of thousands of awards each year and send them off around the world
- it is marvellous to be on the receiving end for once and a
fitting tribute to our staff who do such a sterling job".
As part of the organiser's deliberations, Special EFX was
visited at its Ettington Park works and extensive video footage of
the company was filmed, to be later played back at the Awards'
ceremony. It revealed how Special EFX optimises its picturesque
working environment, which both staff and clients appreciate, and
nurtures family values throughout the business, including laying on
kennels for employees' dogs.
Special EFX is at the cutting edge of awards and trophy design
and manufacture and invests extensively in technology, to remain
both highly innovative and efficient. The company sells in the UK
and abroad and has established a reputation for the calibre of its
design, high quality and personal service. Clients include
motivation and promotion agencies, the publishing and finance
sector and individual companies, organisations and events including
Google, Moto GP, British Comedy Awards, Football League and
Alitalia.