Hidria was announced winner of the UKTI Award for Innovation at the prestigious European Business Awards ceremony last week in Istanbul. RSM, sponsor of the Awards, is the seventh largest worldwide network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. 

The ceremony, attended by over 250 entrepreneurs and business professionals, marks the culmination of a year-long decision-making process which began with over 15,000 businesses and ended with just 100 Ruban d’Honneur finalists attending the event in the hope of becoming one of the ten category winners, including the UKTI Award for Innovation. 

Headquartered in Slovenia, Hidria is a leading provider of integrated solutions for climate and automotive technologies, focusing on green mobility and sustainable in-door well-being. Established in 1971, the company now employs over 2500 people in its global offices including three world-leading R&D institutes. The company has over 300 million of global sales and a 30% European market share in solutions for automotive electric power-trains and is currently installing the biggest photovoltaic plan in South-eastern Europe.

An extensive and prestigious judging panel made up of European business leaders, academics and entrepreneurs have been involved in the robust awards process which included written submissions, video entry judging and face-to-face presentations. Entrants have been judged on a vast array of business markers, including innovation, ethics and international mind-set.

The Awards offer entrants unparalleled opportunities to network and share best practice, as well as providing a chance to meet like-minded businesses from across Europe, with a view to forging new and successful business relationships.

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM, says: “Hidria combined innovation with a sense of social responsibility, making it a stand-out winner. It is a hi-tech company with immaculate green credentials, and it’s commitment to research and development in the midst of the downturn, when many companies were slashing investment, is hugely commendable.”

Entries for the 2013/14 Awards programme are open until 21 June 2013, from which up to 800 National Champions will then be shortlisted. For more information, or to register your interest in the 2013/14 awards, please visit:www.businessawardseurope.com.

ENDS