Abseilers reach new heights, winning top Awards

Commercial abseiling company Avalon are the worthy winners in the CEME-sponsored Innovation category of the 2007 Havering Business Awards. And topping off the night, they went on to be named ‘2007 Business of the Year’.

Avalon, of Harold Wood, Essex, are specialists in 'alternative rope access methods' to provide other options instead of costly scaffolding for all maintenance repair tasks from the smallest repair jobs through to complete exterior refurbishment of entire blocks.

At the awards event on Friday 28^th September, Bill Williams, Chief Executive, CEME said: “Avalon is a tremendous example of a small company that has created a great business for itself by spotting a need in the marketplace and using innovative techniques to meet that need. They are at the forefront of this niche in building survey, maintenance and repair and I have no doubt they will continue to scale new heights both in their work and in their business success. I congratulate Phil Boyce and Pat McGee on their fantastic achievement in winning these awards.”

The Innovation Award celebrates the use of technology and innovation in business. Mr. Williams said: “Innovation, whether it’s in the use of IT, development of new products or services or even new management techniques, is critical for companies to get ahead and stay ahead of the competition. And CEME was set up to provide a complete package of training and skills development in all these areas for companies of all sizes.”

Phil Boyce, Managing Director of Avalon, commented on winning the Awards, “It’s absolutely fantastic to win two major awards tonight, it has taken a lot of hard work and dedication over the last 12 years to get to where Avalon sits today. I owe this success to my family, Co Directors and the Avalon staff for all their hard work and perseverance over the years.

“Our innovative Rope Access methods save our clients thousands of pounds by avoiding turning their structure into a building site with the attendant problems, public access, and disruption to the public that scaffolding can bring.”

The Havering Business Awards is fast becoming one of the top awards events in the UK. This year the glittering event which took place on Friday 28 September at Maylands Golf was hosted by extrovert comedienne and chat show host Ruby Wax.

Photo featured above, from left, Councillor Michael Armstrong; CEME Chief Executive, Bill Williams; Avalon MD, Phil Boyce; and comedienne Ruby Wax