Member Article

Huddersfield brand specialist scoops ultimate UK design accolade

A specialist brand agency from Huddersfield has been awarded the ultimate UK design accolade.

Because The Engine Room didn’t just scoop a gold design impact trophy at the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards in London – the team was also crowned the overall winner of winners on the night, picking up the prestigious Grand Prix award at the end of the evening.

The achievements celebrated the measurable impact that The Engine Room’s work had on a collaborative project with UK construction materials manufacturer Polyseam, also based in Huddersfield.

The two companies worked together to propel Polyseam’s GRAFT brand of sealants, to help drive business growth and combat market difficulties. And the strategic creative project has certainly paid off. Since GRAFT’s launch in 2014, annual sales have increased by a staggering 744%, and export levels have risen by more than £1million. In fact, this transformational business exercise has played a significant part in Polyseam now building an 82,000sqft factory which is expected to create a further 50 jobs by 2020.

It was this bottom line impact that impressed the line-up of high-profile judges, which included Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin; Josh Berger, president and managing director of Warner Bros; and renowned entrepreneur Deborah Meaden.

Commenting on the win, The Engine Room’s managing director Lesley Gulliver said: “The awards celebrate what’s possible when the best brains from design and business come together in true partnership. It’s very fitting that both companies involved in the winning projects, therefore walk away with gongs on the night.

“We knew before we attended the ceremony at The Brewery in London, that we would walk away with some recognition for our submission for the ‘Construction & Materials’ category. However, we didn’t know if the award would be bronze, silver or gold. We were absolutely delighted with the gold trophy, with one presented to both myself and Polyseam’s marketing manager Olando Salina almost at the start of the night. So we had begun our celebrations, and honestly couldn’t believe what we were hearing when our project was announced as the Grand Prix winner.”

45 design awards were presented at the event, with 12 going to agencies in Yorkshire.

Lesley concluded: “We were also incredibly proud to look around the room and see the overwhelming level of talent from our county. We often read about the emerging profile of the Northern Powerhouse, but for so much award-winning work to be coming from our region alone is especially impressive.”

Based in a creative 18sqm space in Bates Mill, Huddersfield, The Engine Room is now a team of 8 people. Founded in 2001, it continues to be run by the founding director Darren Evans and MD Lesley Gulliver, and has clients in varied business sectors ranging from manufacturing to health and the public sector.

The DBA (Design Business Association) is the UK’s most vocal champion of the role of effective design in the creation of business growth. The DBA was founded in 1986 to recognise, communicate and reward the integral role that design effectiveness plays in commercial success.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Katie Mallinson .