Golden Bridge Trade & Export Awards
The 18th edition of the prestigious Golden Bridge Export Award for outstanding achievements in exporting between the UK and the Benelux has been won by Brussels Airlines, Farnell element14 and De Bioderij. Awards were also won by SMEs Limelco, Decapac and OppoSuits and by export newcomers Ikaros Solar and Hema.
The coveted Golden Bridge Export Award was handed over to Brussels Airlines by H.E. Mr Patrick Engelberg, Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the Court of St James’s, during a gala ceremony in central London on 20 November. Brussels Airlines was awarded for the way it acts as an ambassador, not only for Belgium but also in promoting the UK as a destination around the world. Furthermore, Belgium’s national carrier is considered an employer of choice as well as an economic activity provider.
Farnell element14 received the award for British companies from Glynis Whiting, President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium. Farnell is a high-service distributor of technology products and services, and it was recognised for the strategic innovation initiatives at its regional distribution centre in Liege, as well as its approach to diversity, inclusion and engagement of the local community.
The award for Dutch companies was handed over to De Bioderij by H.E. Ms Laetitia van den Assum, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Court of St James’s. De Bioderij is now exporting some 200,000 pancakes to the UK every day. It was awarded for its targeted move into the UK market with this Dutch national dish. De Bioderij has shown tenacity and creativity in its desire to convert the British and “make every day pancake day”.
Best small & medium-sized enterprises
Awards were handed out to three successfully exporting SMEs: Decapac, Limelco and OppoSuits.
The prize for Decapac was handed over by Mr. Carlo Thelen, Director General of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce. Decapac has experienced consistent export success into the UK market through innovation. Decapac prides itself on establishing long-term lucrative relationships with clients in the UK such as Marks & Spencer.
Limelco is a leading provider of chilled desserts and milk products that has been highly successful in the UK because of its flexibility around retailers’ needs and its focus on innovative products. Limelco received its award from Carole van Eyll, First Secretary of the Belgian Embassy in London.
OppoSuits is a young company producing outrageous, creative and fun business suits for fancy dress occasions or for just getting attention. In just a couple of years, the company has grown several hundred percent annually. OppoSuits was presented with its award by Herlinda Wouters, General Manager of KBC Bank Netherlands.
Best newcomers
Two awards were handed out in the category of Best Newcomer, to Ikaros Solar and HEMA.
Ikaros Solar received its award from Peter Braben, Relationship Director at KBC Bank. When government incentive programmes for photovoltaics (PVs) were changed, rather than exiting the UK market like most of its continental competitors, Ikaros Solar decided to stay and work in a different segment, contributing to the creation of a market focusing on small commercial PV systems.
HEMA was presented with its award by Anton Valk, Chairman of the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce. HEMA is a familiar sight on every Dutch high street and is now making inroads in the UK with its refreshing design approach to high-quality and low-cost household goods, beauty and food.
“High-quality participants”
BLCC Chairman Michel Vanhoonacker said: “With the awards ‘coming of age’ in this 18th year of the Golden Bidge Awards, it has been a great pleasure to see so many high-quality candidates take part. This year, we have been joined for the first time by the Netherlands British Chamber of Commerce, making it a truly UK-Benelux celebration.” The Golden Bridge Awards are of course open to Luxembourg companies and the BLCC encourages them to participate in next years event so Luxembourg companies may be more strongly represented during that edition.
The Golden Bridge Awards 2014 winners are, in alphabetical order:
- Brussels Airlines – www.brusselsairlines.com
- De Bioderij – www.bioderij.nl
- Decapac – www.deca.be
- Farnell element14 – www.farnell.com
- HEMA – www.hemashop.com
- Ikaros Solar – www.ikaros-solar.eu
- Limelco – www.limelco.be
- OppoSuits – www.opposuits.com
The Golden Bridge Trade & Export Awards are an initiative of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain. The purpose of the event is to encourage exporting efforts to and from the UK and at the same time to give Benelux and British products and services a higher profile abroad. Its great success has shown the need to provide Luxembourg, Belgian, Dutch and British companies with a platform to prove their achievements on their respective export markets.
Luxembourg companies which wish to participate in next year’s edition, may contact the team of the International Affairs, contact person Mrs Diana Rutledge Tel. 42 39 39 – 335; email Diana.Rutledge@cc.lu
