Fourth-generation family-owned business, the Naylor Group, has won the coveted ‘Business of the Year’ award in the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards. Organised and hosted by the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, the highly sought-after awards celebrate the very best individuals and organisations operating throughout South Yorkshire.

Described as a ‘standout winner’, Naylor was recognised for transforming its business with a 2-year, £18m investment programme, a commitment to innovation, sustainability and employee development and a growth in sales to £70-million, all while championing inclusivity, mental health and community impact.

Edward Naylor, Naylor Chairman, comments: “We’ve been on quite a journey over the past few years. Historically, we manufactured clay pipes for the construction industry – but were seeing steady decline in demand. We recognised that we needed to adapt our business by diversifying our product range, entering new markets and perhaps most important of all, investing in the communities we serve, creating opportunities for the next generation to forge successful careers in the manufacturing sector."

Founded 135 years ago and now employing 350 people, Naylor also won the Large Business of the Year Award and was highly commended for the Sustainability Award following the implementation of numerous sustainability initiatives which resulted in a 89% reduction in energy consumption and the repurposing of 7000 tonnes of plastic waste which would otherwise have been sent to landfill.

Yorkshire-based Naylor operates seven factories and its products are used extensively on civils, building and general construction projects throughout the UK. Three of its factories and some two-thirds of its employees are based in Barnsley.