A KIDDERMINSTER businessman has turned around his fortunes after being made redundant by building up his own company, which has been nominated for two prestigious awards.

Graham Nevett, 50, of Bewdley Road, is celebrating after his Blakedown-based business, Aardvark Engineering, has become one of only two companies shortlisted in two categories for the British Engineering Excellence Awards (BEEAs), with winners being announced tomorrow.

The company has been nominated for the award for Consultancy of the Year and New (mechanical) Product of the Year in recognition primarily of its “revolutionary” high speed tape applicating machines.

Mr Nevett explained that he started the business after being made redundant from Brintons in Kidderminster about 16 years ago.

He said as there were no engineering jobs in Worcestershire at the time he opted to set up his own company and had been building it up ever since.

He explained: “I love Kidderminster and the local area and I didn’t want to relocate so I decided to set up my own business. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

He added: “The only way to really learn is to get your fingers burned and I have made a few mistakes along the way but I think I have learned from them.”

Mr Nevett said the company was constantly having to evolve and that failure to expand “was to die” in the current climate.

He added: “At the moment it is not a good time for engineering and we are just trying to get through this period. Having said that, we are confident we will come through it and things are currently looking very good.”

The company employs four staff and has an annual turnover of about £200,000, supplying customers both in the UK and abroad.

It serves a niche market producing about 20 to 30 custom-built “small” machines a year and about six larger ones.

Peter Windley, company director, said: “I feel excited about the award nominations. It is a big lift for us and it is nice to see our work is appreciated.”

The BEEA awards aim to demonstrate and promote the quality of engineering design within the UK.

Members of the judging panel include Richard Nobel, land speed record holder and project director of Thrust SSC, while the awards will be presented by Kate Bellingham, from Tomorrows World.