We started off the first quarter of 2024 with a bang as we learned that we have been shortlisted as finalists in the national Family Business of the Year Awards.
The awards celebrate the contribution that family firms make to the UK through the provision of employment, creation of income, and the support they often provide for the communities in which they operate.
We have been at our premises on Kingstown Industrial Estate since the 1970’s and March saw us celebrate four years since we opened our second premises – our Tool Centre store in Carlisle.
Stuart McKenzie, Director, said:
As a family business we have a certain standard of service we like to uphold, and it is a testament to our staff that our values shine through across all aspects of the business – it is key to our longevity and success over the past fifty plus years. To receive the news that we have been shortlisted for this award is certainly exciting and we are proud to be up there among some fantastic family businesses across the UK.
K&S McKenzie was formed in 1968 by Keith and Sara McKenzie and is today run by their sons Stuart and Alastair, with Stuart’s son Brandon managing the Tool Centre. The family values and knowledge that has passed from generation to generation has held K&S McKenzie in good stead over the past 50 plus years and earned them a loyal customer base – something they hope to continue for many years to come.
Paul Andrews, founder of Family Business United (the organiser of the awards), commented that:
Family firms are the backbone of the UK economy and contribute significantly in so many ways. These businesses deserve all the recognition they can get for the good that they do in terms of employment, income generation and wealth creation, not forgetting their continued charitable endeavours and investment in the communities in which they operate.
These awards are now in their twelfth year and each year they have raised the profile of the sector, crowned some incredible winners and discovered some true family business gems along the way. Winners over the years have come from all corners of the UK, been large and small, multi-generational and starting out on their journey but above all they share their underlying values, purpose and desire to succeed as a family firm. All of those shortlisted deserve their moment in the spotlight and we look forward to crowning the winners in the summer.
The Family Business Awards culminate in a ceremony taking place in June at the Royal College of Physicians in London with awards for various categories, sectors and regions. To find out more about the Family Business awards, visit www.familybusinessunited.com.