21st August 2006 -- Sherborne Sensors, which is based at Basepoint Enterprise Centre, in Stroudley Road, Basingstoke, won £500 and an engraved glass trophy as runner-up after demonstrating outstanding growth through the introduction of innovative product lines.
The award scheme was designed to recognise the achievements of the 600 tenants in Basepoint's portfolio of 17 enterprise centres across the south of England and the Midlands.
The company, which won the Basingstoke heat of the national competition, was selected for the remarkable achievement by its directors and workforce in rescuing the company when its American parent organisation went into receivership in 2002.
From its beginnings with just four founding partners, the company has since grown to a workforce of 18 and, through its outsourcing activities, has generated significant business for a range of other local companies.
The hi-tech manufacturer of precision accelerometers, inclinometers and force transducers is now a world-class supplier in its industries, selling to major aerospace, military and industrial corporations around the world.
Christine Pawsey, Basepoint Basingstoke centre manager, said: "We're delighted to have presented this award to Sherborne Sensors.
"It has been with us at Basepoint since its parent company went into receivership. It has been wonderful to be able to play a part in the successful rebuilding of the business into the leader it is today."
Robin Butler, Sherborne Sensors sales and marketing director, who was involved with the management buyout, said: "It's a great honour that we received this award. Our company has been located at Basepoint for just over four years and we have seen substantial growth in this time.
"Basepoint offers us the flexibility to take on additional units to cater for this growth.
"Sherborne Sensors designs, develops and manufactures sensors for many blue chip companies around the world. Our success has been not only to employ more local people directly in our company, but to offer more business to local suppliers.
"The UK manufacturing industry has seen a decline in recent times, with companies moving their production to countries like China to take advantage of lower labour rates.
"With the efficient operation we run at Sherborne, with our dedicated workforce, we are proud to buck that trend."
The overall winner of the award was Tank Devils, a leading specialist in the repair of civil aircraft fuel tanks, located at Bournemouth's Basepoint.
--Richard Garfield--
