The next set of Bostin’ businesses have been welcomed into an exciting cohort that is putting the region on the national map.
Eleven award winners from the recent Black Country Chamber of Commerce Awards will join the original magnificent seven to take the number of companies, charities and not-for-profit organisations to eighteen. Overall winner RunFlat International, ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland, Isaac H Grainger & Son, Pallet-Track, Robert Hopkins Environmental Services, iBiotech, Nant and rising star Helix Education Hub are all ready to bring their own unique strengths to a campaign that has already received TV, radio and national coverage.
They will be joined by Juniper Training, InPower Academy CIC and double-award winner Wolves Foundation as Bostin’ Businesses, who will now proudly display the unique badge and share in the opportunity to leverage press and social media coverage to raise their profile and promote the Black Country. All of them will be asked to promote the unique skills and capabilities of the region by highlighting our industrial, enterprise, technology, digital and tourism strengths.
Sarah Moorhouse, CEO of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, commented: “We’re delighted at how the Bostin’ campaign has been received by people in the local area and, more importantly, the wider national and international business community.
“Momentum is key, and we’d like to increase the cohort to 50 companies by September 2026. Our recent award winners add real creativity, manufacturing excellence, global expertise and sporting pedigree to the mix.”
The latest Bostin’ Businesses cohort joins original members KMB Shipping Group, Bowers & Jones, In-Comm Training, Paycare, TPSquared, Beacon Centre for the Blind and Dudley Canal & Caverns. Delivered by Be Bold Media and Cucumber PR, the media launch was a spectacular success, securing nearly 50 different pieces of coverage across local, regional, manufacturing and national press.
The campaign also enjoyed numerous radio interviews, companies chatted to Ed James on BBC WM and, possibly the jewel in the crown, was a 3-minute report on BBC Midlands Today. In total, the media generated over £250,000 of exposure for the region.
Going forward, the next cohort will be announced in March 2026 after a public vote on businesses nominated by the Chamber’s Board. Tom Westley, Operations Director of RunFlat International, picked up the story: “We supply our ‘RunFlat’ system and military wheels to more than 45 countries, taking Black Country innovation born in Cradley Heath all over the world.
“This means we can extoll the strengths of the region on a truly global scale, especially how fantastic the people are and how firms are keen to collaborate to be successful.” Stacie Ryan, Founder of Helix Education Hub, concluded: “As a relatively new business, it is fantastic to be joining such a fantastic group of Black Country companies and organisations – all united with the desire of promoting the place we love to call home.
“Making education accessible to all is a message I really want to champion, as this ensures the area has a constant pipeline of young people coming through that have the grounding and skills to make a positive difference.” For more information or to find out how to get involved, you can visit the Bostin’ Black Country Businesses Hall of Fame.
