Business & Money | Friday 16 January, 2015 1:35 pm |

Ten companies that have demonstrated the best business practices, the strongest growth, the most innovation, the most outstanding corporate social responsibility and other exceptional qualities were honoured during Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone’s (RAK FTZ’s) first annual Business Excellence Awards programme. An external judging panel from International Performance Excellence (IPE) selected the winners from over 120 entries for RAK FTZ, the investment home of more than 8,000 companies.

“We congratulate all the winners of the RAK FTZ Business Excellence Awards for their innovation, vision, determination and growth,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK FTZ. “They deserve this recognition for the significant contributions they have made not only to the economic development of Ras Al Khaimah, but also to the community in which they do business.”

The awards were presented during a prestigious gala dinner on 15 January at the Rixos Bab Al Bahr hotel. Members of the RAK FTZ Board of Directors and RAK FTZ CEO Peter Fort also attended.

HH Sheikh Ahmad continued: “Honouring our most outstanding business partners for their success not only highlights what makes these companies stand apart from the crowd, but also showcases the many ways in which the free zone has enabled their success: with lower costs, high-quality business set-up support, and top-notch facilities. We look forward to helping even more clients set up and grow successful companies at RAK FTZ in the year ahead of us.”

The winners are as follows:

Burkert-Contromatic AG International Middle East, a fluid control system company, is the winner of the Best New Technology award, highlighting an organisation that has identified new products or services related to technology, and has successfully brought them to market.

J & R Business Consultancy, a business consultancy and training company, is the winner of the Best Small to Medium Size Business Award, recognising an organisation that provides an exceptional product or service.

Biri Industries, a leading manufacturer and supplier of pipes and hoses for home, agriculture, oil and gas, marine and industrial uses, is the Fastest Growing Company. This award honours an organisation that has shown outstanding growth within two to three years from its start-up date.

Eurocap, which manufactures injection-moulded plastic packaging items, specialising in caps and lids for perfume and cosmetic products, is the Best Contributor to Ras Al Khaimah Development. The award recognises the company that has made the most significant contribution to the emirate’s economic and social development.

Milly Pack, a packing and packaging materials manufacturing company, is the winner of the Best Start-Up award, which honours an organisation that has been trading for less than three years and has demonstrated innovative business ideas.

Utico, the largest full-service private utility in the Middle East, won the Best Corporate Social Responsibility award, recognising a company that has demonstrated responsible business practices in favour of the environment and the community.

Special awards were also given to the following companies for their achievements and dedication to RAK FTZ.

Intertrad, which exports and imports tea, spices, food commodities, synthetic rubber, wool and tiles; and RamJet Aviation Support, which has provided high-quality services for the aviation market since its establishment at RAK FTZ in 2007, were recognised with the Pioneer Award, for the companies that have been with the free zone the longest.

TCA International and Zaher Kayyali Trading were recognised with the Referral Champion of the Year Award, for companies that have made the most referrals to the free zone.

The awards programme was supported by one of the most rigorous assessment processes based on the EFQM Excellence Model. An independent committee chose the nominees and winners through a comprehensive analysis of submissions from the competing organisations.

Judges for the awards came from International Performance Excellence (IPE), an independent company that promotes quality in business around the globe. Some of IPE’s other clients include Etihad Airways, the UAE Ministry of Health, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Police, and the Abu Dhabi Education Council, among others.