AN OSWESTRY business operating as a European leader in fire and home safety has retained its crown as Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Company of the Year.

Aico, based in Maesbury Road, also picked up awards for Sustainability and Young Business Person of the year at the event which recognises successful businesses in the county.

This year, Aico was shortlisted for a record-breaking six awards and won three, becoming the first company in the awards 22-year history to retain the Company of the Year award and only the third company to win the top award more than once.

Aico managing director Neal Hooper praised his staff for their excellent efforts.

He said: "What an honour it is to become Company of the Year for the second time in a row.

"We are a strong company of good people living our values on a day-to-day basis, I am delighted for all my Colleagues for this recognition.

"Thank you to the Shropshire Chamber for an amazing evening of celebration, well done to Samuel and all our fellow winners."

The wins began with Samuel Marston, Aico’s product development executive taking the Young Business Person of the Year award in a particularly strong category.

Samuel, who joined Aico at 18 as a level-three infrastructure technician apprentice has since flourished, earning an EDA Gold Circle before being promoted to his full time product development executive role.

Seeking continuous improvement, Samuel is now working on his level four Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship and also enjoys supporting Aico in the Community through supporting local education in his role as a STEM ambassador.

He said: "I was honoured to have been awarded the Young Business Person Award.

"Many thanks to all those involved, especially all my Aico Colleagues for supporting me, who have been a real credit.

"Well done to everyone else shortlisted in my category which had some really tough competition this year.”

Aico also took home the award for Sustainability which celebrates companies that have gone the extra mile to lower their carbon footprint.

Aico has pledged to reach their Net Zero goal by 2030 and are continuously looking for innovative ways to cut their carbon footprint.

The market leader has not only made huge progress in cutting their product waste over previous years, but they have also massively extended their photovoltaic system, added 10 new EV charging points to their headquarters and are near completion of changing their entire company fleet of vehicles to hybrid/electric vehicles.