A HOLME Valley company designing ski slopes has been shortlisted for an innovation award.

Scholes-based Briton Engineering Developments Ltd is one of 20 firms across Yorkshire to compete for Innovators/08 run by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward. The awards recognise firms that have turned new ideas into great businesses.

Briton, formed in 1979, has been involved in hundreds of ski-related projects. It is a pioneer in slope terrain design and over the past 25 years has established an enviable reputation as a snow sports consultancy covering the design, construction and installation of ski surfaces.

Briton is the inventor and sole manufacturer of the Snowflex ski and snowboard surface, which has been widely installed in ski centres across the UK and the continent.

Customers include Dorset Snowsports Centre, Norfolk Ski Club, Kendal Ski Club and Loisinord Ski Slope in northern France as well as ski centres in Hong Kong, Aberdeen, Scotland’s Ben Nevis range and Dallas, Texas.

Among recent contracts, Briton supplied and installed its Snowflex system at the 2007 Metro Ski and Snowboard Show at London’s Olympia.

Last year, Briton was winner of the International Business of the Year category at the Examiner Business Awards.

Jim Farmery, head of Innovation at Yorkshire Forward, said: “The Innovators/08 shortlist has some really great examples of companies developing new ideas technologies and ways of working in the region, and these awards are designed to celebrate their success.

“We also want to use the awards to raise awareness of the benefits of innovation and the facilities on offer in the region that can help companies integrate new ideas and technologies for the benefit of their business.”

The awards are in eight awards categories recognising innovative ideas, company leaders and collaborations between business and universities.

Briton is shortlisted in the Global Innovation Award for businesses using innovation to break into new international markets. The company is competing with Leeds-based Q8Oils, which has replaced petroleum-based lubricants with sustainably-based fluids; and AGA Healthcare, of Hebden Bridge, which has developed cleansing wipes for export worldwide.

Other categories include ones for innovation champion; innovation in leadership; innovative young company; technology innovation; and collaborative innovation.

The 20 shortlisted firms will attend an awards ceremony on March 5 at Leeds Town Hall.