Business of the Year 2017/2018 Event

Arrow Self Drive which is based in Linthwaite, Huddersfield is the largest independently owned vehicle rental company in Yorkshire with over 2,000 vehicles on fleet. The founders initially began selling commercial vehicles to local businesses from a small site and a wooden hut on Manchester Road, Huddersfield in 1988. The trend for leasing vehicles was gaining popularity as customers saw the advantage of having an all-inclusive fixed cost monthly package so they put three vans onto hire to see how it went and Arrow Self Drive was born. Thirty years on, James Hill, son of founder Robert, is now the managing director of Arrow Self Drive, leading a team of more than 80 employees across its eight Yorkshire depots. 

Hunter Safety is a health and safety consultancy based in Glasshoughton that works predominantly but not exclusively in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The company which was established in 2012 by Katie Hunter as a one-person operation based at her home, now boasts an impressive client base and over 30 employees. The success of Hunter Safety is due to its ability to grow and evolve to meet customer demands, endeavouring to meet whatever service the client needs in the area of safety, in order to save money for their client in the long term.

Propack was established in 1996 in Huddersfield to service the Direct Marketing industry and remains a privately-owned family business today. Not only do Propack print and prepare mail shots but their Ethical Mail product is also a postage channel. This means they sort and give the mail to the post office ready sorted in ready to deliver bags. The company employs 60 full time members of staff and staff retention is testament to the investment the company makes in them. A number of staff members have been with the company since it began.