Cellbond – the Huntingdon-based company which has been recognised for two years running by The Hunts Post Business Awards – is having an exciting year. Dr Mike Ashmead, founder of the firm which manufacturers crash test barriers for vehicle safety testin

Cellbond - the Huntingdon-based company which has been recognised for two years running by The Hunts Post Business Awards - is having an exciting year.

Dr Mike Ashmead, founder of the firm which manufacturers crash test barriers for vehicle safety testing and specialises in solving energy absorption challenges, said: "We are concentrating on two projects currently. We started these last year and they are both showing a lot of promise."

The company's innovative approach to this field earned them the Manufacturer of the Year award in 2004 and scooped the Innovation Award at last year's ceremony.

"These awards are important as they are an opportunity to focus our minds on how we do things. Taking part allows us to review how we do things and to rejuvenate. Going through this process is very important to us. It is like preparing for a marathon. You get fit, even if you don't break the record. This approach works in business too."

Dr Ashmead believes the effect of winning the awards has been very positive on staff moral. He said: "People are proud to be involved with an award-winning company. Our awards are on display for everyone to see and it gives staff a strong sense of pride."

Dr Ashmead started the company in 1988 with only a handful of employees. Now there are 100 people who work between the shop floor and offices based at three sites in Huntingdon. The company, which exports 80 per cent of its product, was awarded the Deloitte and Touche Fast 50 accolade, given to the fastest growing companies in the Eastern region of the UK, in 1998-1999 and 1999-2000.

"I think other businesses should enter these awards. They have everything to gain from the experience and the process helps to improve what you do. You can focus on aspects of your business, function by function," said Dr Ashmead.

"As a company we are looking at our impact on the environment and looking at ways to improve our performance within a sustainable framework.

"I hope we are in The Hunts Post Huntingdonshire Business Awards again - perhaps not in the same category, but, hopefully, for Employer of the Year. That would be good. It would show what we do for people because they make all these things possible."

INFORMATION: Cellbond is at 5 Stukeley Business Centre, Blackstone Road, Huntingdon. Tel: 01480 435302 or visit www.cellbond.co.uk