BOSSES at a refrigeration company face an agonising wait to see if they have beaten some of the biggest household names in the world.

Hereford-based Arctic Circle, which manufactures commercial refrigeration equipment, could win the Manufacturing Excellence Award MX2001 in what has been dubbed the 'Oscars' of the manufacturing world.

Deborah Gittoes, who set up the business with her husband Eddie 15 years ago, said she could barely believe they would be competing with global companies like Jaguar and BAE Systems.

"It is marvellous to be spoken about in the same breath as top names like Jaguar," said Mrs Gittoes.

"Even if we don't win it is a marvellous bench mark for us and we will be keeping our fingers very firmly crossed.

"I am giving a presentation on Monday, June 18 which I am really looking forward to."

The company has been entered into three categories of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers competition - product innovation, people effectiveness and the best small and medium size enterprise.

World class

Sir Michael Moore, director general of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said the competition recognised the astounding efforts of British manufacturing, and said that each of the 15 finalists was world class.

"Year-on-year the number of companies entering this competition is increasing as they recognise the tough criteria which selects the winners," said Sir Michael.

"I am pleased the DTI also recognises the value of this initiative and continues to support it."

The winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London on Thursday, June 28.

Lord Sainsbury will be guest speaker and ITN's Nicholas Owen will be Master of Ceremonies.

The company has already collected a string of awards and walked off with the Newsquest We're In Business Award, supported by the City of London.

The company - the only one of its kind in the UK - manufactures refrigeration compressors, the building blocks for mechanical pumps which are built up into complete units and then delivered to the customer.

It also makes the central plant for refrigeration units and has already sold its technology to China.