COMPANIES from Worcester and Droitwich have been recognised in the 2001 Accelerate Supplier Awards.

The awards celebrate Midlands' automotive component manufacturers which have improved their business processes and efficiency through the Accelerate programme.

Automotive component manufacturers Industrial & Tractor Ltd, of Navigation Road, Diglis, Worcester, and Barton Cold Form Ltd, of Kidderminster Road, Droitwich, were short-listed for a regional prize.

JH Yeomans & Sons Ltd received the "Non-SME/Out-of-Area" Award at the ceremony held earlier this month at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

JH Yeomans, a metal forming and fabrications specialist in Redditch, won because of its teamwork, training and IT.

"JH Yeomans was awarded the prize for its focus on teamwork and training programmes implemented across the company, focusing on IT skills at all levels of engineering and manufacturing processes," said Accelerate's programme manager, David Malpass.

Accelerate is a European and UK Government-funded programme which provides grants and other help for companies in the West Midlands automotive supply chain looking to improve manufacturing processes.

The programme is managed by the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry. More than £60m has been invested into the region in the last six years.