A Lanarkshire roofer that helped vulnerable customers during lockdown, and set up an academy to train new roofing talent, scooped two prizes at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Scotland’s Celebrating Small Business Awards.
DMG Services Group, located in Bellshill, won the Start-Up Business of the Year award - sponsored by Business Gateway - and the Community Award - sponsored by Skills Development Scotland - at a ceremony in Edinburgh.
The business fixed a roof free of charge for a family who were victims of a rogue trader and offered free repairs to of any pensioners in their local village facing problems during the pandemic. In addition, the academy has allowed several local unemployed people to start apprenticeships in roofing since it was opened in December 2021.
Darren McGhee, managing director of DMG Services Group, said: “The last two years has been very difficult for my business, but we rose to the challenge and found ways not only to do our job differently but to give back to the local community.
“I’m a third-generation roofer and care deeply about my trade, so these awards are testament to the hard work of my team.”
Other winners include a Peterhead fish wholesaler that switched to e-commerce during the pandemic; a Caithness distillery that allows customers to refill their ceramic bottles; and a Melrose knitwear company that now sells to 23 countries.
Amity Fish, led by Jimmy Buchan, star of the BBC’s Trawlermen TV series, won the Digital Business of the Year - award sponsored by Tyl by Natwest.
Dunnet Bay Distillers, which produces Rock Rose Gin, bagged the Environmental Award.
Eribé Knitwear, which was founded in 1986 and now turns around a £1m a year, scooped the International Business of the Year Award.
Andy Aird, FSB’s Scotland chair, said: “We’ve got many businesses here that found opportunities in the difficulties of the Covid crisis.
“Others are using digital technologies to boost productivity and to find new customers, lastly, these winners exemplify responsible business either through action to help the environment or activity to help their local community.”
The small business campaign group had almost 400 entries to its awards from up and down Scotland. Nominees and entrants were recognised at a special event at the Waldorf Astoria in Edinburgh, sponsored by Sky Connect.
Winners from each category secure a spot at the UK final to be held in Glasgow in May, with a chance to be crowned the UK Small Business of the Year.
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