A BRIGHT marketing move has propelled a hi-tech engineering firm to a top award.

ICEoxford has been named the West Oxfordshire Business of the Year, as well as picking up the innovation award for its ‘Lemon is the new Orange’ initiative.

The firm, based in Station Lane, Witney, provides high-performance cryogenic systems to scientific and research groups worldwide.

As a way of making its products stand out from the competition, it now paints them bright yellow instead of the industry-standard orange.

Managing director Chris Busby said: “We are proud to be a British company exporting worldwide, so it is fantastic to be recognised by the West Oxfordshire Business Awards.

“Winning will help in raising our profile locally and within our industry but, most importantly, it rewards our staff.”

Guests at the West Oxfordshire Business Awards dinner, held at Heythrop Park, heard from Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron via a video message.

He said: “I am a big supporter of small businesses and I am extremely proud that my constituency plays host to so many. They play such a vital role in not only the local economy but nationally too.”

Robert Drake, owner and manager of Witney wholesaler CDO, was named Business Person of the Year. He said: “It is a real testament to the whole team, who continuously work hard to ensure our customers’ needs are met.”

WEST OXFORDSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR

CETA Large Business Award: AirTanker

Strategic Mentors Small Business Award: CQR Consulting

Hexagon Business Centres Micro Business Award: Ross & Ross Food

Witney Business & Innovation Centre New Business Award: The Cotswold Tailor

Ridgeway Business Person of the Year Award: Robert Drake – CDO

mark-making* Social Media Award: SpecialEffect, Charlbury

STL Communications Employer of the Year Award: Wise Investment

Heythrop Park Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality Award: Witney Lakes Resort, Witney

Blenheim Palace Rural Business Award: Aston Pottery, Aston

Polythene UK Charity and Community Award: Base 33, Witney

Owen Mumford Innovation Award: ICEoxford, Witney s Coutts Business of the Year Award: ICEoxford, Witney