Stephenson was named Medium Business of the Year at the 2025 Yorkshire Business Awards, held at New Dock Hall in Leeds. The awards celebrated the region's leading businesses across various categories.
The company invested £1 million in advanced automation systems and £750,000 in new reactors to increase manufacturing capacity while maintaining quality. These investments highlight Stephenson's focus on improving processes and driving innovation.
Stephenson's products, including the Durosoft range of naturally derived polyglyceryl esters and the Syndopal range of soap-free syndet bases, reflect its commitment to sustainability. According to Stephenson, the company is promoting a shift from liquid to solid, waterless personal care products, reducing water use, transport emissions, and plastic packaging.
The award recognizes Stephenson's ability to balance global market reach with agility in innovation. Its three-pillar Corporate Social Responsibility initiative further demonstrates its leadership in sustainability and continued commercial growth.
"This award is an outstanding testament to our dedicated team who embody the Yorkshire spirit of resilience and innovation," said Rob Carr, managing director at Stephenson. "From our base in Leeds, we've developed a global platform that champions sustainability while delivering world-class products. It's this combination of Yorkshire grit and forward-thinking that has helped us build a business that can compete—and succeed—on the international stage."
Car adds, "Looking to the future, we remain fully committed to representing Yorkshire at its very best on the global stage. We believe medium-sized businesses like ours have a unique opportunity to drive positive change in our industries, combining the flexibility to innovate with the capability to deliver meaningful impact."
