A STEEL firm has won a top award.

Harry Peers Steelwork has been named Supply Chain Partner of the Year at the Costain Achieving Excellence Awards.

The business beat off competition from more than 1,000 individuals and organisations.

Peers emerged victorious after making it through the shortlist of six.

The awards were organised by civil engineering firm Costain, which works with Peers and praised its “consistent first-class delivery on major projects, high number of nominations and good health-and-safety record”.

The Mill Hill firm has other well-known customers including Shell, BP, Astra Zenica and energy firm Centrica.

Peers has its own manufacturing base in Bolton but also works at sites across the UK, ranging from East Coast gas and petro-chemical plants to the Sellafield nuclear energy site in Cumbria.

The award was presented to Peers at a ceremony hosted by civil engineering firm Costain in Maidenhead.

Michael Peers, the firm’s managing director, said: “Costain have a significant supply chain in the UK and worldwide. To be nominated and shortlisted to the last six was a significant achievement but to win the award was fantastic. It’s great recognition of our contribution to Costain projects. We’re delighted.

“We try to find better solutions to projects. We have won a number of awards for effort and delivery over the years and are proud of developing great projects for partners.”

Costain chief executive Andrew Wyllie added: “We received 1,300 nominations and are delighted to recognise the outstanding performances of individuals and teams with these awards.”

Peers is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year and had early links with Watson Steel Fabrication in Lostock.

It is privately-owned and independently financed with 50 staff based at its Elton Street office. It also uses contractors including First Logistics, in Manchester, and Forward Chain, in north Wales.