The FINANCIAL — Three Georgian companies – Goodwill, Wissol Group and JSC Lomisi (EFES Breweries Georgia) – have been awarded a ‘Ruban d’Honneur’ prize in the penultimate stage of the European Business Awards, sponsored by HSBC. In total, 100 Ruban d’Honneurs have been given to the ‘crème de la crème’ of companies across Europe.
The Ruban d’Honneur is awarded to ten successful entrants in each of the award categories – The Infosys Business of the Year Award, The RSM International Entrepreneur of the Year Award, The UKTI Award for Innovation, The Award for Customer Focus, The HSBC Growth Strategy of the Year Award, The Employer of the Year Award, The Award for Corporate Sustainability, The Environmental Awareness Award and the Chairman’s Choice Award.
Wissol Group – Georgia
The Wissol Group operates the largest network of petrol stations in Georgia capturing 23% market share and generating over €110m revenues. According to EBA, it is pioneering the integration of Compressed Natural Gas on its forecourts as a cheaper fuel alternative. It is also the first to develop a chain of convenience stores, restaurants car wash and repair facilities at its stations.
Goodwill LTD – Georgia
Since 2004, Goodwill has become the largest retailer in Georgia. It currently generates €27.6m revenue and is the country’s biggest employer. Its success is attributed to its quality management system, customer service, extensive product range of 50,000 items, its pricing policy and constant innovation. Its latest innovation, the loyalty card, has already attracted 20,000members, and it is about to launch a new quality control programme to ensure improved customer value.
JSC Lomis – Georgia
This Georgian brewing giant generates €30m revenue, employs 300 people and has captured close to 56% of the beer market. Its investment in a new factory at Natakhtari, where there is an underground water source, has massively improved capacity and kept costs under control. It is the first to introduce zero-calorie lemonade and is currently second only to Coca Cola in the soft drinks market in Georgia. It has set aside US$15m for future investment in capacity as demand continues to rise.
“When selecting the Ruban d’Honneur recipients in the eight categories, the Judging panel was faced with a difficult decision largely due to the exceptionally high calibre of the Country Representatives and their achievements”, Angela Lovell, Media Manager says.
“As a result the Chairman of Judges felt it necessary to introduce a category that would recognise the organisations who demonstrate the principles of the European Business Awards in the broader European Market (outside of the European Union)”, she told The FINANCIAL.
“I’m extremely proud to see such a high caliber of Georgian companies represented among the Ruban d’Honneur recipients. It’s testimony to the level of entrepreneurship and business initiative that I am seeing throughout Georgia both through the European Business Awards programme and my own daily interactions with HSBC customers. I wish all three companies a successful future,” Guy Lewis, CEO of HSBC Bank Georgia commented.
All Ruban d’Honneur recipients will be invited to attend the European Business Awards Gala presentation ceremony at the Westin Hotel in Paris on November 16th where the overall award winners will be revealed in front of Europe’s top business leaders, politicians, entrepreneurs, business commentators, and media.
“Selecting the 100 Ruban d’Honneur winners was a particularly difficult task for the judges this year. The standard of the Country Representatives was truly exceptional. These 100 companies have demonstrated outstanding flair, innovation and commercial acumen to get this far,” Adrian Tripp, European Business Awards founder, commented.
The European Business Awards recognises and rewards excellence, best practice and innovation in companies across the European Union. The competition is free to enter and open to organisations of all sizes and from any industry sector.
The FINANCIAL is official country partner of European Business Awards sponsored by HSBC.
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