THEY mean business and they're the best in the business - and now all Glasgow knows it.

THEY mean business and they're the best in the business - and now all Glasgow knows it. Last night at a glittering awards ceremony and dinner at the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow brothers Gerry and Michael Facenna took the top award at the 10th Glasgow Business Awards 2007.

Raise a glass to your favourites

IT was whisky galore for the staff at Auchentoshan Distillery last night as they celebrated winning the award for Glasgow's favourite business, sponsored by the Evening Times.

Readers in their hundreds voted for the company with the name you can't forget - it means "corner of the field" in Gaelic.

Let's face it, there was only one drink the winners could really toast their success in. A delicate, smooth and light single malt by the name of Auchentoshan.

"It's a fantastic accolade. You can't ask for anything more than to be voted for by the people of Glasgow," said manager Ronnie Learmond delightedly.

"We'd like to say a big thank you to your readers. It really does mean such a lot to all of us."

The distillery lies in the shadow of the Erskine Bridge in Dumbartonshire, overlooking the Clyde.

"Everybody expects distilleries to be in the Highland glens," Mr Learmond said, "but this is right on people's doorstep. Our doors are open seven days a week and everyone is welcome at our visitor centre."

Auchentoshan, known as Glasgow's malt, has a long pedigree.

More than 170 years old, the Lowland malt has a colourful history and survived bankruptcy in the early 1820s and even the Clydebank blitz in 1941 when three warehouses were destroyed along with almost 1 million litres of whisky. It re-opened in 1948.

The distillery has been part of the Morrison Bowmore groups since 1984 and it has continued to use traditional methods.

The subtle aroma and flavour is achieved by a process whereby the spirit is distilled three times to produce even greater refinement to its character with a lemon zesty flavour and a nutty aftertaste.

Their multi-million pound business, Allied Vehicles, based in Possilpark, won the Bank of Scotland Corporate Award for Overall Best Performing Business.

They also walked away with the Scottish Enterprise Glasgow Award for Best Performing Business (over 50 employees).

Glasgow Business Awards, sponsored by Bank of Scotland Corporate with the Evening Times as media partners, is one of the highlights of the year for the city's movers and shakers.

These are the Oscars of the business world and the young, vibrant face of the city's business world was on display.

There was also a healthy mix of the sexes - women are changing the face of business and many of these new business leaders were among the guests, oozing confidence.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce president Norman Quirk told the 400 guests: "It is you who are the city's wealth creators. It is you who are the lifeblood of Glasgow."

It was a night for relaxing and putting on the style - black tie and kilts for the men and posh frocks for the women with broadcaster Jackie Bird, who hosted the event, out-glamming everyone in a dazzling, figure-hugging dress.

Jackie, in jocular mood, gently poked fun at the business audience as she handled proceedings with aplomb.

The guests whooped and hollered as the winners were announced. The Evening Times Award for Glasgow's Favourite Business, voted for by our readers, was presented to Auchentoshan Distillery manager Ronnie Learmond by Evening Times Editor Donald Martin.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Achievement Award went to Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, which judges say has helped Glasgow become the vibrant and successful city it is but which is to be scrapped as part of a restructuring ordered by the SNP.

Stuart Patrick, operations director of Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, said: "Those of us who have been involved in the economic development of the city for the past 16 years are absolutely delighted to accept this award."

He also paid tribute to Glasgow City Council.

"Local authorities tend to get brickbats, particularly from the business world, but we have some extremely strong political leadership in Glasgow and I think it is making a tremendous difference."

It is the people who create the jobs, which creates the wealth that makes Glasgow the exciting and enterprising city it is.

People like Gerry and Michael Facenna, who both started out as mechanics.

"We're absolutely over the moon," grinned Gerry, 55. "We now have 350 staff and a turnover of £50 million."

"We are about to open another new factory in Possil in the next six months and we'll be employing another 200 in the next two years," added Michael, 60.

The business makes the new Peugeot black taxis and is widely recognised as the UK's leading specialist manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Craig Kennedy, area director, Bank of Scotland Corporate, said: "Bank of Scotland Corporate extend their congratulations to Allied Vehicles and to the rest of the winners and finalists. The continuing success of the Glasgow Business Awards is testament to the calibre of businesses that continue to grow and flourish in this area, bringing tangible benefits to the local and national economy."

He added: "The Awards allow for a real celebration of business talent in Glasgow, and I'm confident that there is still much more out there to discover."

Congratulating the winners and finalists, Dr Lesley Sawers, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "Our overall winner tonight, Allied Vehicles, is a great example of a thriving and innovative business which has worked hard to stay at the top of its game.

"Glasgow's economy continues to prosper, and it is the businesses here tonight that directly contribute to this growth. We want to ensure that Glasgow retains its position as the economic powerhouse of Scotland by encouraging and celebrating the city's business success."

Entertainment was provided by the schoolchildren of the Musical Theatre Course at the Dance School of Scotland.

BUSINESSAWARDS: The winners and runners-up

  • Bank of Scotland Corporate Award for Overall Best Performing Business: Allied Vehicles.
  • Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Achievement Award: "Team Glasgow" Scottish Enterprise Glasgow - 2007.
  • Evening Times Award for Glasgow's Favourite Business: Auchentoshan Distillery.
    Runners-up: Forrest Furnishing, Greaves Sports, Lees Confectioners, McCormack's Music, Renfrew Ferry.
  • Scottish Enterprise Glasgow Award for Best Performing Business (over 50 employees): Allied Vehicles.
    Runners-up: BiP Solutions Ltd, Gas Call Services Ltd.
  • Beith Printing Award for Best Performing Business (11-50 employees): 9-20 recruitment.
    Runners-up, en croute catering, Hoist & Access Services Ltd.
  • Dunning Design Award for Best Performing Business (10 employees or under): Screenmedia Design Ltd.
    Runners-up: Clyde Space Ltd, Soccer Savings Ltd.
  • International Financial Services District Award for International Activity: SgurrEnergy Ltd.
    Runners-up: Clyde Bergemann Ltd, Frank Sammeroff Ltd.
  • Jobcentre Plus Award for Working for the Community: The Gladiator Programme Ltd.
    Runners-up: Glen Oaks Housing Association, Soccer Savings Ltd.
  • Glasgow: Scotland with Style Award for Creative Marketing: La Bonne Auberge.
    Runners-up: Buchanan Galleries, Herald & Times Group.
  • Crowne Plaza Glasgow Award for Most Entrepreneurial Company: 9-20 recruitment.
    Runners-up: Joosta, Soccer Savings Ltd.
  • Glasgow Employer Coalition Award for Excellence in Skills & Learning: JP Morgan Chase & Co/JP Morgan Scotland.
    Runners-up: Herald & Times Group, Mabbett & Associates Ltd.
  • Scottish Water Award for Sustainable Development: Jurys Inn Glasgow.
    Runners-up: Gas Call Services Ltd, P J's Foods Ltd.