Peter Digby, Xtrac, (centre) collected the award from Joe Solari, Ultima, (right)


Best Use of Technology AWARD


ULTIMA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS SPONSORED BY


Winner: Xtrac


Driving straight to the top of the leader board for the first award of the night was Thatcham-based Xtrac, who claimed victory for the Best Use of Technology.


It was only the second time companies have competed for the title, which is sponsored by Ultima Business Solutions, a leading provider of IT infrastructure solutions and managed support services.


Xtrac designs, develops, manufactures and supplies transmission systems, gearboxes, differentials and steering assemblies for the world of high-performance motorsport, including Formula 1, IndyCar, Le Mans and Touring Cars.


The company has a 30-year history of success and it was its achievement of world-leader status which persuaded the judges that the company is a worthy winner.


They applauded Xtrac’s use of the very latest computer aided engineering software and computer controlled machine tools and said: “This, along with a staff of highly-skilled engineers, resulted in their ability to maintain and continue to grow their pre-eminent technology- based position in the motorsport industry.”


Peter Digby, Xtrac’s managing director, took to the stage to be presented with the trophy by Joe Solari, chairman of Ultima, and John Sergeant.


Commenting on the award, Digby said: “Since I joined Xtrac 27 years ago, we have grown from four to 275 employees in the UK and USA. Our


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90,000 sq ft design and manufacturing centre in Thatcham, Berkshire has over £35 million of the very latest computer controlled machinery that enables us to achieve the very best quality products, delivered on time.


“Our product reliability is world leading and underlines that to ‘finish first – first you have to finish’. Which is why we supply the majority of cars racing in Formula 1, Le Mans 24 hours and the world's biggest motor race, the Indianapolis 500.


“We have an excellent management team and we are all greatly rewarded to have actively encouraged more than 100 young apprentices and graduates to successfully enter the world of high-performance engineering.


“Winning the Ultima Business Solutions Best Use of Technology Award recognises our investment in the latest machinery, people, R&D and new products. This allows us to introduce new high- technology transmissions for motorsport and the hybrid/electric automotive market with a policy to update, enhance and replace gearbox designs well before they reach maturity, thus staying ahead of competitors on and off the race track.”


The business is constantly creating new products for the European and US markets as well as fast emerging markets in the Far East and South America, and its strategy is also to take its world leading technology outside the core motorsport market. It has already successfully delivered projects to the marine, defence and, increasingly, the aerospace sectors.


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Its expertise has been recognised elsewhere too and Xtrac is now consulted by the Rt Hon Vince Cable MP at the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills, on how its experience can help the training needs of the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sectors.


It has also been selected by the Motorsport Industry Association to represent the motorsport industry on the strategically important Automotive Council Technology Group, alongside all the major UK automotive companies.


Taking second place was Polythene UK, from Witney, which is working with world leading polymer manufacturers to create three exclusive alternatives to standard polythene that are both cheaper and more environmentally friendly.


In third place was Goldteam Recruitment, the award-winning innovator of a technology system called Goldtime which adds value and improves efficiency for clients and candidates alike.


Receiving Highly Commended certificates were DA Systems, White October and Zircotec..


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