THE cream of north west companies, whose operations range from making duvets to Internet retailing, were crowned at the 10th annual Manchester Evening News Business of the Year Awards last night.

The variety of the winners underlined the strength and depth of the region's business community. with traditional and new sectors being honoured in a showcase of top talent.

Bolton-based dabs.com, which sells computers and other hi-tech consumer goods via the web, scooped the prize for companies with turnover of more than £50m.

Founder David Atherton said he was "overwhelmed".

"As proud as I am to receive this award, I'm surprised that the firm beat such superb competition.

"It's not really about a limited company, balance sheets or a business plan, it is about 250 people working togther and enjoying something that has never been done before."

Trendsetter Home Furnishings, of Oldham, which designs, manufactures and supplies duvets, pillows and mattresses, had a dream win in the £10m-£50m-turnover category.

Managing director Clare Briegal told the audience: "I think this is a company which has hidden its light under a bushel for many, many years."

Customers include Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Ikea, Habitat and House of Fraser.

It also has its own brand, The Fine Bedding Company, which is available in stores such as independents like Housing Units and Arighi Bianchi.

Base

In 2000, the firm opened a plant in Estonia, a base from which to supply European customers.

It now employs 239 staff across its two sites, and had sales of £16.2m this year.

Rawtenstall's 2ergo, previously known as Lammtara Multiserve, took the honours for businesses which turn over less than £10m.

The company provides technology for mobile phone text message competitions and other promotions. It has just opened an office in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jubilant joint founders Barry Sharples and Neale Graham collected their prize as a colleague beamed pictures live by video-phone to colleagues attending a telecoms exhibition in Prague.

Barry said: "Six of our sales and customer support staff are in the Czech Republic and they were watching in their hotel as we were named winners. We were so thrilled, and we wanted them to share our joy.

"It's a fantastic honour. We have achieved success with good partners and with dedicated staff. We have been going for four years but this is just the beginning."

A timber-frame housing firm won our Young Business of the Year award.

Popularity

Timber-frame is the established way to build in Scandinavia, North America and Scotland. Now Chandos Timber Engineering is building on its increasing popularity here.

The firm was launched two years ago when property developer Mark Kingsley teamed up with Paul Abbott and Tom Wilcock. It started in Stalybridge, with a small manufacturing unit in Oldham, but within a year had moved to £1.1m purpose-built premises on the Karmo Industrial Estate, Rochdale.

Mr Kingsley paid tribute to his staff: "There is a lot of commitment, and everyone has put in a lot of effort. It is great to see that rewarded."

A new award, for customer service, went to Bolton-based tapas bar and restaurant chain La Tasca, which had also been a finalist in the £10m-£50m turnover category.

Chief executive James Horler said:"We started off 10 years ago with one outlet in Manchester, we have become a national company with 37, and we want to be a global business."

Introducing the awards, MEN editor Paul Horrocks praised the vibrant culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across Greater Manchester.

Looking ahead, he said there were several exciting challenges for the business community to embrace. And he pledged that the MEN would play a leading part in the debate on regional government.

Alvin Hall, presenter of BBC TV's "Your Money or Your Life" programme, hosted the evening while Bolton chest surgeon Dr Kevin Jones was the guest speaker.

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