INNOVATIVE motoring firm Anthony Best Dynamics came out on top at this year’s Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards, as the best of Wiltshire’s businesses were celebrated last month.

The Bradford on Avon company won the prestigious Overall Excellence award, which was sponsored by Thrings, a long-time partner of the event, after winning the Medium Sized Enterprise of the Year award earlier in the evening.

Winners in each of the seven categories at the awards, which took place at Center Parcs Longleat in Warminster, gained automatic entry for the top award.

The company, which was founded by Tony Best in 1982, supplies advanced testing systems to the global motor industry for research, development and production quality control.

Managing director Tim Rogers said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win the prize for Overall Excellence. This company has been developing products for over 30 years in Bradford on Avon and every car company in the world uses our products.

“I want to thank our brilliant team and it is great for them to get the recognition they deserve. This is an innovative company and it is in our mind set to approach things in a completely different way.”

The other big winner on the night was Warminster-based independent payroll company RACS Group, which won the Services to the Community award for its work with local schools and charities.

Managing director Terry Hillier, who started RACS Group from a back bedroom in 2007, also won the award for Business Person of the Year.

Mr Hillier said: “It's not often that I'm left speechless. I'm staggered by the growth of the company over the last few years and I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the management team and our staff.

“I started this company off in just a back bedroom and it has been a roller coaster ride. I want to dedicate this award to my mum Joan, who has supported me through thick and thin.”

Swindon firm Lawson Group, which provides demolition and asbestos removal solutions, won the Environmental award by beating Corsham printing company Park Lane Press, which had won it the previous two years.

Customer contact centre specialist Carpeo, which is based in Swindon, picked up the award for Customer and Staff Care for the second year, while Trowbridge recruitment agency White Horse Employment Network achieved the same feat to be named Small Business of the Year.

The judges for the award, which was sponsored by Mainline Employment, said: "This company has grown from 120 employees to over 250 this year, mainly due to the hard work and dedication of their work force.

"They have strived to ensure all clients are looked after and no contacts lost before concentrating on new business.

"Their success has come from getting to know their clients products and services, ensuring their team treat every client as their own company and providing and excellent customer service so that the callers go away happy.

"Alongside this, their staff are very enthusiatic and happy and enjoy their role, which was evident throughout the company visit."

White Horse Employment MD Beverley Glover said: “I was absolutely blown away to receive the award.

“We were not expecting it as we thought no one wins two years in a row."

“It was a complete surprise and while it was great to win it last year, it is almost better winning it again this year, especially when you see the fantastic companies that we were up against.”

Chippenham firm John Williams Heating Services, which has provided heating and boiler services for 25 years, was also recognised with the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award.

The awards were sponsored by Nat West, BBC Wiltshire, Forward Swindon, Mainline Employment, Baker Tilly, Wiltshire College and Newsquest Wiltshire, proprietors of the Swindon Advertiser, Gazette & Herald and the Wiltshire Times.

n More pictures on Pages 30, 32, 34 and 35