Cwmfelinfach-based ISCA UK received top honours at the 12th annual Caerphilly Business Forum Awards held in association with Business Edge, Coleg Gwent after winning both the Premier Award and Business of the Year with 25 employees or fewer Award.

The company was established in 1998 and manufactures and formulates specialty chemicals for a range of industries including paints and coatings, cosmetics, construction, textiles, carpets, aerospace and mining.

In addition to its manufacturing and warehouse facilities, ISCA UK has custom-built laboratories which allow it to offer customers a complete technical support service including new product development, raw material evaluation and end-use application testing.

With clients including Akzo Nobel, Rolls-Royce, Lufthansa, L’Oreal and Sainsbury’s, ISCA UK attributes 90 per cent of its sales to exports. Over the last 24 months it has also extended its network of distributors and agents to cover USA, Russia, Israel, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.

Antony Hudson, technical director, said: “We hold several patents for chemical technologies developed in-house and our product portfolio reflects the increasing demand from our customers (and consumers of their finished products) for more environmentally friendly, sustainable and natural products.”

The two Awards were sponsored by Broomfield & Alexander and Caerphilly County Borough Council respectively.

Caerphilly-based credit management consultancy Waters & Gate received the New Business of the Year Award supported by Chwarae Teg – Agile Nation.

Living Data received the Young Business of the Year (high growth) Award sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses.

Europe’s premier provider of licensed character and branded confectionery, Bon Bon Buddies, based in Blackwood, received the Business of the Year with more than 25 employees Award sponsored by Finance Wales.

Charlotte Burles from professional property management, letting agency and insurance brokerage, Parkmans, was given the Women in Business Award sponsored by Glenside Commercials.

Family-run business Plant 2 Plate, based in Machen, received the Contribution to the Rural Economy Award supported by Caerffili Cwm a Mynydd.

The Social Enterprise of the Year Award supported by the South East Wales Community Economic Development Programme went to Tyfu CIC-Tyfu Café, based in Caerphilly

The Young Achiever Award sponsored by PHS was presented to farrier Alex Hunter, of Ystrad Mynach.

The awards ceremony was hosted by BBC weatherman, Derek Brockway.