A lighting and electrical retailer shone through to win a monthly business award.
J G Harrison & Sons Ltd, which supplies the public, wholesalers and businesses with lighting and electrical products has been named Eaton Smith Business of the Month after impressing the judges with its environmentally-friendly products.
The award was presented at a lunch held at the offices of law firm Eaton Smith’s in High Street, Huddersfield, which was attended by representatives of the winning firm.
J G Harrison was founded in 1951 by George Harrison from his home in Huddersfield. The family-run business now employs 45 people and has stores in Dewsbury, Halifax, Bradford and Rochdale.
John Harrison took over the business in the 1960s and remains managing director with his son Chris as sales director handling the day-to-day management of the business.
The firm continues to serve the retail market, but puts its continued success down to the growth in its commercial offering.
Working with Kirklees Council, business development manager Amanda Speight has upgraded lighting to low-energy LED alternatives for more than 50 organisations. Recent projects included a £17,000 lighting upgrade – with £5,000 grant funding from Kirklees – for Huddersfield-based Metrodent, which manufactures and distributes to the dental industry.
Kate Booth, associate solicitor at Eaton Smith, who led the judging panel, said: “We were very impressed with J G Harrison & Sons’ application and felt that it clearly stood out against the others.
“It was clear that a lot of time and effort had been spent putting it together and it was very well presented. We liked the story of the firm and the fact that it has weathered the recession well with steady turnover and avoiding redundancies. I was further personally was impressed that they employ 45 members of staff.
“We were impressed with their environmental products and service and thought that this would stand them in good stead. All in all, they were an easy choice for this month’s winner.”
Chris Harrison said: “We’re overjoyed to win the award. We have been so busy running the business for more than 60 years that we have never entered anything like this before. The recognition is great and we’d like to thank our hard working team for finding innovative ways to continue such success.”
J G Harrison & Sons will compete for the annual prize in the competition run by Eaton Smith Solicitors in conjunction with Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UKTI at a breakfast event to be held on July 3 at the Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top.
